Safty & Resizing Image?

[MarkF]

I would like to know how to resize an image so that when displayed online, it would be too small to print for someone who would want to steal it. I've read this in a few DP mags, but really am unsure of how to do it. Does anyone do this to protect their images online? I'm sure you'd first have to make a copy before resizing, so that the original is untouched. Correct? I'd really appreciate some insight from anyone as to how to make image "Small". Also, how does everyuone protect their hard work when displayed online?

Mark

[bigdave]

Well if you happen to have PhotoShop, all you have to do is click Image > Image Size... > then just change your resolution to 72 (normal) and adjust the pixel dimentions at the top of the dialog box. If your photo has a lot of detail, it's best to set the Resample Image box to Nearest Neighbor. Also, make sure Constrain Proportions is selected. Finally just hit ok > save the file as a jpeg (use SAVE AS)> repeat as necessary. If you have many images (> 50) you may want to research how to make a Photoshop Action and use it in batch mode. For my website I have an original, an edited copy for full page viewing, and a thumbnail. If I had to resize all 300+ images manually... twice! I'd be working forever.

Now for your second question. Many people argue about this, but short of password protecting your webpage, THERE IS NO WAY TO PROTECT YOUR IMAGES. Other people may think there is some way to do it, but I've been into all aspects of computing for ~8 years and I've been programming for 5 of those years. Someone with a little knowledge of javascript, or java could easily rip off your images. In my opinion, the best solution is to watermark your images, because a person can program protection into a website till they're blue in the face, but it's all rendered void by that handy dandy print screen button on your keyboard by the backspace button.

Here's a good link to a good walkthrough for making your own watermark. It's not really for beginners, so if you have trouble just run a search on google or something.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=6457#28878


And here's another link to get you started on creating a resize action in PhotoShop, should you need to.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=6457#28889

Good luck, hope this helped!

[MarkF]

Thanks Dave. Feel bad you went through all that and I don't have PS! Hey, good for future ref. though. THANKS! Question. How about digimarks watermark? Do they charge?
Thanks again!

[Conk]

I have digimark but it's not something you actually see. It's a number embedded in the photo that's registered to you. No charge for that much but the more you get you end up paying for. Such as the feature where you can track your photo's on the internet.
Bigdave is right about protecting your photo's. It is impossible to keep a person from copying them. I have an image snap program that allows me to grab a screen image. If it had a watermark I could easily edit it out in photoshop. I still ad one to my photo's anyway.
I think the best thing to do is make sure you always save your original photo's to disc. A copyright isn't something you need to purchase. If it is your photo then you automatically have copyright's to it.
Post your photo's at 640x452. At this size a printout would be small and not very good quality.

[john_houghton]

MarkF wrote:
I would like to know how to resize an image so that when displayed online, it would be too small to print for someone who would want to steal it.
Download a copy of IrfanView (free from www.irfanview.com ). This is a simple editor/viewer that has options to resize images (single images or batches). It can also generate thumbnails and basic web pages for you.

John