Why is my watermark text so rotten?

[tomd]

I can't figure out what I am doing wrong.:confused:
Here is my process (all in Lightroom 2.6)

In the LR export dialogue box I use Mogrify to add a watermark.
The watermark file is 800 x 600, 2.04 kb and a PNG format.
I check resize watermark, and enter 30% of shortest edge.
Overlay mode = normal.

When I made the watermark graphic, I used CS3 and used save for web device option.
Font is Arial, black
I haven't applied any opacity

Thanks for any suggestions,
Tom

[FlyingPhotog]

Probably because you're taking only 30% of a .png file that's already only 10% as big as the entire image.

Try 100% on the watermark size and see what you get.

[tomd]

As requested ;)

100% of watermark file:

Thanks for the advice.
I'll work on getting the font size correct in the original file and skip the resize step. I'm not sure why LR chose to put the watermark there, I have checked the lower right location box in the dialogue box, I guess that is how the original file has the text positioned.

[FlyingPhotog]

I think we found the size problem...

Now just anchor it and fade it to taste!

[tomd]

I think I'm getting somewhere

[tomd]

I think we found the size problem...

Now just anchor it and fade it to taste!

What do you mean by "anchor it"?

[FlyingPhotog]

Indeed! :D

Anchor: Pick which corner you want it...

[pinoyplaya]

Do you have Photoshop? It may be your best option if you wanted to add watermark in your images. If you make an action for it, everything can be done in one push of a button. Mine frames my image and adds the information outside the border of the frame.

[tomd]

Thanks.
What dimensions should my PS file be that I start with?

[tomd]

Do you have Photoshop? It may be your best option if you wanted to add watermark in your images. If you make an action for it, everything can be done in one push of a button. Mine frames my image and adds the information outside the border of the frame.


Thanks,
This is indeed something I am considering. Do you use Lightroom at all? Or do you exclusively use PS?

[FlyingPhotog]

Thanks,
This is indeed something I am considering. Do you use Lightroom at all? Or do you exclusively use PS?

I have both CS4 and LR 2.6.

My "gallery" watermark is a .png file uploaded to and adjusted by Zenfolio:
http://jcbeckman.zenfolio.com/img/v8/p239734627-4.jpg

My Lightroom watermark is just the default text in the lower left corner:
http://jcbeckman.zenfolio.com/img/v11/p850229783-4.jpg

I am dinking around with the LR 3_2 Beta though which allows me to lay in a .png of my own choosing and anchor / fade it as I choose:
http://jcbeckman.zenfolio.com/img/v6/p554721549-4.jpg

I like this feature in LR 3!!

[tomd]

Jay,
What is the file size of your LR watermark (as seen in example #2)?

I assume you are also using Mogrify in LR 2?

[FlyingPhotog]

Jay,
What is the file size of your LR watermark (as seen in example #2)?

I have no control over it. It's a default size and placement in LR 2.6

[pinoyplaya]

Thanks,
This is indeed something I am considering. Do you use Lightroom at all? Or do you exclusively use PS?

I use lightroom for minor adjustments and photoshop for major ones.

Once all my images are in the final stage and ready to be exported, I export them as JPEG files with the longest side having a resolution of 1024, so with a 2:3 ratio my images will turn out to be 1024*683 landscape or portrait. Once these JPEG files are exported using lightroom, I open them all up in photoshop all at once, then click my action button to add borders and signatures. Its amazing how a single button can do something that would normally take you 3 minutes to do.

[tomd]

I'm still messing with this watermark problem.
I always get some white noise around the text. Any idea what the heck it could be from?

(font is comic Sans MS)
my PNG file is 800 x 600 and 3.25kb

[FlyingPhotog]

That shouldn't happen with a .png file but something isn't "cutting a hole" properly for the transparency.

[tomd]

could it be because I am not using a TrueType font?
Should I make the PNG file in Illustrator instead of PS?

[FlyingPhotog]

could it be because I am not using a TrueType font?

That's a definite possibility. Change to one and see... ;)

[tomd]

That's a definite possibility. Change to one and see... ;)

same result...:( (TT Batang font)

I think I'll try to apply the watermark in Photoshop and eliminate any LR or Mogrify component.

It has something to do with when I save the PSD file to a PNG format.
I opened the photo below, and I opened the same text in both a PSD file and a PNG file. I dragged both onto the photo. The PSD text looks great, the PNG text looks like the pic below (left).

edit:
I think I finally got it worked out. The right photo below I saved the PNG file as a PNG-24. All the other files were PNG-8

[lvidmar]

I think PNG-8 only has 2 levels of alpha transparency (on or off). Png-24 gives you the whole range (I think 256 levels of transparency).

[HappySnapper90]

I have no control over it. It's a default size and placement in LR 2.6

Get the Mogrify Lightroom plug-in and you'll have control over location placement. It's a free plug-in, but the free version only allows you to export as many as 10 files at a time. If you want to export more than 10 at a time you'll need to register your version and pay.

[FlyingPhotog]

Get the Mogrify Lightroom plug-in and you'll have control over location placement. It's a free plug-in, but the free version only allows you to export as many as 10 files at a time. If you want to export more than 10 at a time you'll need to register your version and pay.

95% of what I send out from LR goes to Zenfolio and gets watermarked there. I don't generate enough stuff straight to the web from LR to justify it.

I've already donated for the LR -> Zen App and have the LR -> FB as well.

I'll just wait for LR3 to be released. ;)

[ssim]

Everyone has their own workflow and whatever works for them is the right answer. For me i do all watermarking in Photoshop and all the text is done inside an action by building it with a path. I create my text and any graphics in Illustrator and then bring it over to Photoshop and in the action you simply have to do a inside workpath from the flyout menu. You can do the same from Photoshop if you don't have Illustrator. It is all about the control that you have and paths give that to you and is very precise. You don't have to worry if you have use the wrong font category.

[sandro9mm]

that would be drag drop easy in photoshop....

[HappySnapper90]

95% of what I send out from LR goes to Zenfolio and gets watermarked there. I don't generate enough stuff straight to the web from LR to justify it.

I've already donated for the LR -> Zen App and have the LR -> FB as well.

I'll just wait for LR3 to be released. ;)

You'll probably pay more for LR3 than you would for a registered version of Mograify. :rolleyes: