copyright signature in Photoshop help??

[johneric8]

Hey guys I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on what steps I need to take to place my name and a copywrite symbol on some pics? Is there a quick and easy way to add them to each photo before I save them as JPEGS? I need to start doing this because I'm getting photos that are being used without my permission. Please help me if you can? For now, I'm using photoshop elements so please give me advice via this program if possible. I would hate to have to type in in everytime I edit a photo so I sure hope there is a way to do this...

Blessings

[tim]

Here's how i'd do it in PS CS, though i've never tried it should give you a start at least. I've done something similar with my copyright stamp, which I got from a Scott Kelby book.

1) Sign your name.
2) Take photo with macro lens.
3) Transfer to PS.
4) Extract the signature from any background using your preferred technique.
5) Resize it as you like.
6) Select the area around it.
7) Define it as a custom brush.

To use it choose the paint brush tool, then scroll to the bottom where your new signature brush will be :)

[johneric8]

Here's how i'd do it in PS CS, though i've never tried it should give you a start at least. I've done something similar with my copyright stamp, which I got from a Scott Kelby book.

1) Sign your name.
2) Take photo with macro lens.
3) Transfer to PS.
4) Extract the signature from any background using your preferred technique.
5) Resize it as you like.
6) Select the area around it.
7) Define it as a custom brush.

To use it choose the paint brush tool, then scroll to the bottom where your new signature brush will be :)

Thanks for that info, I dont think I was clear on my question. I dont need my actual signature. Just my name and a copywrite symbol. It can be typed it doesnt matter. Just something simple, it doesnt have to look fancy. Does anyone out there have any ideas? I really dont want to have to type it for every picture..

[Nabil-A]

I would think Tims post would still apply,

Just type your name into a new graphic, make it look however you wish,

then follow steps 6 and 7 from tims post.

[ProAc_Fan]

Grab the custom shape tool and up in the options bar you'll find the copyright symbol is one of the preset shapes. Add the symbol, dragging it out to any size you like and lower its opacity to match the photo. You can just use the text tool for adding your name to the photo. BTW I would create an action to make this much simpler. Just 1 click on the appropriate function key and your name and symbol can be added.


Sorry I'm stupid. I glossed over the fact the question involves PS Elements. I never dabble in that software so these directions may or may not apply.

Mike

[tim]

yep, like Nabil says same thing still applies. Also, buy this book (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0735714118/qid%3D1113377332/sr%3D2-2/ref%3Dpd%5Fbbs%5Fb%5F2%5F2/002-3047575-5896047).

[jimsolt]

yep, like Nabil says same thing still applies. Also, buy this book (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0735714118/qid%3D1113377332/sr%3D2-2/ref%3Dpd%5Fbbs%5Fb%5F2%5F2/002-3047575-5896047).
That book is about Photoshop CS. The question is about Elements 3.
However, some CS techniques including this one work in Elements 3.
FOR WINDOWS: I think Mac is the same, they just name the keys differently. Start a new file. Make the BG neutral gray. Make the type black.
Make the copyright symbol (alt + 0169 on the numerical keypad) and type your name in the font of your choice in the place of your choice.
You can now place this in your photo.
If you intend to do it more than once and want it to look better, select all, apply effect clear emboss, make that a brush and save it as brush (you name it).
Then to apply it to any picture select that brush, choose a suitable size brush, place it where you want in the photo, and VOILA.
This info is available in lots of places, particularly in forums about Photoshop elements and some books about Elements. Elements is a lot like CS, but some of the techniques need a "work around" in Elements, so I always feel safer if I can find advice specific to that program.
Jim

[jtmorales]

I used this tutorial. I like the ideas behind it. Keeps things simple.

http://www.bytephoto.com/tutorials/stamp/stamp1.htm

[EricKonieczny]

I have worked and reworked my Copyright watermark to make it useful for copyright protection but not abtrusive.

Here is where I started and my current.

First Version: Just a Transparent Font with bevel and Emboss. Not Visible enough on some photos and too close to the edge.
http://www.ekreating.com/gallery/photos/small/Nerve.jpg

Second Version: A transparent image, but still not perfect.


http://www.ekreating.com/gallery/photos/small/68_Sensations_on_21805_.jpg

Third Revision which is a little more visible, and off the edges even more , harder to crop out. with my website URL and copyright
http://www.ekreating.com/gallery/photos/small/TC140.jpg

Here are two tutorials, on how to make good watermarks. I have used both methods.



http://www.earwaks.com/forum/fpost19939.html (http://www.earwaks.com/forum/fpost19939.html)


http://www.ephotozine.com/techniques/viewtechnique.cfm?recid=339


Good Luck


If you want to see larger pictures , look on my site

[johneric8]

I have worked and reworked my Copyright watermark to make it useful for copyright protection but not abtrusive.

Here is where I started and my current.

First Version: Just a Transparent Font with bevel and Emboss. Not Visible enough on some photos and too close to the edge.
http://www.ekreating.com/gallery/photos/small/Nerve.jpg

Second Version: A transparent image, but still not perfect.


http://www.ekreating.com/gallery/photos/small/68_Sensations_on_21805_.jpg

Third Revision which is a little more visible, and off the edges even more , harder to crop out. with my website URL and copyright
http://www.ekreating.com/gallery/photos/small/TC140.jpg

Here are two tutorials, on how to make good watermarks. I have used both methods.



http://www.earwaks.com/forum/fpost19939.html (http://www.earwaks.com/forum/fpost19939.html)


http://www.ephotozine.com/techniques/viewtechnique.cfm?recid=339


Good Luck


If you want to see larger pictures , look on my site


Useful info to be certain. But, I'm one of the people using photoshop elements and it doesnt have the features explained in the above tutorials. anyway, I figured out a quicker way to do it then all these ways listed. I just save my logo on to a PDS file. Before I start work on my pics I open that file and make is small down in the corner. All I have to do is drag it to the new photo before I save it. I can do this each time for every picture. It's very quick and easy, really no effort at all. I love everyones ideas but unfortunately for me, photoshop elements doesnt have most of these actions that everyone speaks of.. even when someone has some useful info for how to do it with elements they leave out steps or assume everyone knows how to do everything they speak of.

[jukas]

Here is what I use:
http://nix.fallenchaos.com/~jchieppa/CRW_2850-2.jpg

I do all my quickproofs through C1 so they are all output to a specific size. I made an action to create the text do all the embossing / beveling and setting the opacity levels and place the text.

Now I just run the quickproof through Capture One, open up Photoshop and run a batch action on the entire folder. Takes less than 5 minutes from start to finish to create 90 quickproofs and tag them all with my copyright info.