How to copyright your photos

KevinG3 · 27th of May 2006 (Sat)

Hello-

I'm not sure if copyright is the correct term or not, but how do you mark your photos so that others can't download them and sell them or use them for whatever they wish? I realize that on most photos this may not be a big deal, but I'd like to know what others do, if anything, to mark their photos as their property. Is watermarking or including your name in a corner of the photo sufficient?

Thanks in advance.

beano · 27th of May 2006 (Sat)

You don't actually need to mark them at all. You retain copyright as you created the image. Any work uploaded to the internet is protected by law, although you can put a watermark on there if you want, just to make it that little bit more difficult for someone to pass the work off as theirs.. Of course, anyone who owns a copy of photoshop, and has a basic understanding of the program, can just clone it out anyway!?!

KevinG3 · 27th of May 2006 (Sat)

Guess the important thing is to keep the originals always.

Thanks.

cecilc · 28th of May 2006 (Sun)

Quote:

Originally Posted by beano

Of course, anyone who owns a copy of photoshop, and has a basic understanding of the program, can just clone it out anyway!?!

Clone this watermark out .... and let us know how long it takes ....

dgcorner · 28th of May 2006 (Sun)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cecilc

Clone this watermark out .... and let us know how long it takes ....

beano · 28th of May 2006 (Sun)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cecilc

Clone this watermark out .... and let us know how long it takes ....

lol! It'd take a while, but if someone really wanted to do it, they would.

ps. And no, i don't wish to waste an afternoon just to prove a point lol!

cecilc · 28th of May 2006 (Sun)

Quote:

Originally Posted by beano

ps. And no, i don't wish to waste an afternoon just to prove a point lol!

Your wisdom is beyond your years ....

beano · 28th of May 2006 (Sun)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cecilc

Your wisdom is beyond your years ....

Oh, i don't know.... 34 is alot of years (feels like it anyhoo) lol!

Black Ricco · 29th of May 2006 (Mon)

Visible watermarks are usually applied to small jpeg and proof files. Things a lot of folks would have access to but usually too small to be of any use. The watermark is not so much to protect copyright infringement as to get your name out there. Like a little piece of advertising on every photo. Plus, it looks more professional especially if it's subtle.

Invisible watermarks are a whole and other story. Those are usually applied to big files that could be of use to third parties.

Below this photo is a link to easy directions to add a watermark similar to mine. In addition to bevel and emboss, I used inner glow and gradient. Gives it a nice look. Playing with the opacity will determine how subtle it is.

http://graphicssoft.about.com/cs/pho...swatermark.htm

KevinG3 · 29th of May 2006 (Mon)

Thank you very much. I will have to experiment and see what I can come up with. Thanks for the link.

27th of May 2006 (Sat)	#1
KevinG3 Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 342	How to copyright your photos Hello- I'm not sure if copyright is the correct term or not, but how do you mark your photos so that others can't download them and sell them or use them for whatever they wish? I realize that on most photos this may not be a big deal, but I'd like to know what others do, if anything, to mark their photos as their property. Is watermarking or including your name in a corner of the photo sufficient? Thanks in advance. __________________ *Kevin* Canon EOS 30D w/18-55mm 3.5-5.6 KIT lens Canon Powershot G3 and accessories Canon EF-S 10-22 Canon IS USM 70-300 f4-5.6 Canon Delux backpack Slik Sprint Pro Tripod Hyperdrive photo storage system w/40GB Assorted B+W filters, Canon hoods, etc. Next purchase : Canon 24-105 IS f4L

27th of May 2006 (Sat)	#2
beano Goldmember Join Date: May 2006 Location: Berkshire. UK Posts: 3,769 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How to copyright your photos You don't actually need to mark them at all. You retain copyright as you created the image. Any work uploaded to the internet is protected by law, although you can put a watermark on there if you want, just to make it that little bit more difficult for someone to pass the work off as theirs.. Of course, anyone who owns a copy of photoshop, and has a basic understanding of the program, can just clone it out anyway!?! __________________ Scott 1D mk2, 50mm 1.8, 17-40mm f4L, 400mm 5.6L, 1.4x Extender, 430EXii flickr

27th of May 2006 (Sat)	#3
KevinG3 Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 342	Re: How to copyright your photos Guess the important thing is to keep the originals always. Thanks. __________________ *Kevin* Canon EOS 30D w/18-55mm 3.5-5.6 KIT lens Canon Powershot G3 and accessories Canon EF-S 10-22 Canon IS USM 70-300 f4-5.6 Canon Delux backpack Slik Sprint Pro Tripod Hyperdrive photo storage system w/40GB Assorted B+W filters, Canon hoods, etc. Next purchase : Canon 24-105 IS f4L

29th of May 2006 (Mon)	#9
Black Ricco Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 74	Re: How to copyright your photos Visible watermarks are usually applied to small jpeg and proof files. Things a lot of folks would have access to but usually too small to be of any use. The watermark is not so much to protect copyright infringement as to get your name out there. Like a little piece of advertising on every photo. Plus, it looks more professional especially if it's subtle. Invisible watermarks are a whole and other story. Those are usually applied to big files that could be of use to third parties. Below this photo is a link to easy directions to add a watermark similar to mine. In addition to bevel and emboss, I used inner glow and gradient. Gives it a nice look. Playing with the opacity will determine how subtle it is. http://graphicssoft.about.com/cs/pho...swatermark.htm Last edited by Black Ricco : 4th of June 2006 (Sun) at 23:48.

29th of May 2006 (Mon)	#10
KevinG3 Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 342	Re: How to copyright your photos Thank you very much. I will have to experiment and see what I can come up with. Thanks for the link. __________________ *Kevin* Canon EOS 30D w/18-55mm 3.5-5.6 KIT lens Canon Powershot G3 and accessories Canon EF-S 10-22 Canon IS USM 70-300 f4-5.6 Canon Delux backpack Slik Sprint Pro Tripod Hyperdrive photo storage system w/40GB Assorted B+W filters, Canon hoods, etc. Next purchase : Canon 24-105 IS f4L

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