Should I be watermarking my images?

I'm not a pro, nor do I currently endeavor to sell my images (though I do have a few half decent shots posted online) and I suppose it's fair to say I'm not particularly paranoid about finding them used without permission. I wouldn't be exactly thrilled, either.

I'm really not a fan of watermarks or signatures, though I do appreciate the branding aspect. A service like Digimarc is more appealing, as far as security is concerned.

Should I be anxious about putting my images online without watermarks?

Apologies if this subject has been flogged to death; a search failed to satisfy my curiosity.

This is a question I wanted to ask also. I will be donating some of my pics in frames and I don't know where to put my info on it?

Just leave the exif data intact with the images on line and you can add your copyright in the exif. But it doesn't hurt to WM your shots, listen if people want to take your image trust me they will take your image. Nothing will stop them. Digimarc worked for my friend, he found one of his MMA shots on another website and with a simple e-mail they took it down cause they didn't want to pay for the shot. You just need to always be on the look out whenever you can too see if someone snagged your shot.

Sevan

I put a very small mark on mine in the bottom corner I know its easy to crop out my my images are not really all that good so I find it unlilkely mine will get stolen

If your giving it away to charity already printed and framed then make in unobtrusive but on there.

Iscariotau wrote in post #13751505
I put a very small mark on mine in the bottom corner I know its easy to crop out my my images are not really all that good so I find it unlilkely mine will get stolen

LOL, any image online will get stolen, but the real question is when. Doesn't matter good or not some one wants it they will take it.

S.E.V. wrote in post #13751529
LOL, any image online will get stolen, but the real question is when. Doesn't matter good or not some one wants it they will take it.

Very true.

I've seen a label on the back of the frame with the copyright...they'll just tear that off.

katekev04 wrote in post #13751928
I've seen a label on the back of the frame with the copyright...they'll just tear that off.

That's when you sign the back in a corner with permanent marker, it doesn't bleed threw.

So if you are selling or donating a print in a frame what should you do, watermark them small in the corner or do something in the back with a acid free pen?

Unless you watermark down the center of your picture right over the subject (which everyone hates) your image is gonna get stolen, copywrites cropped out, exif data removed through resaving in an image editor...etc.

Watermarking has more disadvantages then useful ones. They are distracting, become a visual competing element in your image and will not prevent theft unless you add a large black box over your subject. That being said, a small signature could be useful if you want to provide a way for viewers to contact you. It can still be cropped out but it's still there for those that are honest.

So watermarking is out so maybe putting a label on the back of the print with your info on it? I want to make sure my info gets out there, thats all. I've seen people write the name of the photo and on the other side they sign their sig, all on the matte. That doesn't look professional and I'd rather do something else.