How do I add a watermark on my pictures?

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I am just wondering when loading new pictures onto Photobucket how can I add a watermark so they can be trademarked that they are my photos? Also is there a way to add a watermark on my pictures already loaded onto Photobucket?

 

[pdmedic]

I use photoshop to add my watermarks and add them individually to the photos I'm going to put on line. You should be able to use any photo editing software that allows you to put type into the pictures such as photoshop, gimp, or even paint.

I'm not aware of any way to change them once they are uploaded but will be standing by for better ideas then how I'm doing this.

 

[Chikabowa]

I just created a brush with my watermark and stamp each picture. I websize all my files anyway so it makes it even harder to steal the shot.

Oh and don't forget to add metadata. That is actually an even better way of making sure your copyright stays with the photo.

 

[jann1033]

you can also add it( if you have elements , I have 5)in the editor>file>multiple process setting but make sure you make it a copy of the photo( i save it to a folder marked watermarked so i have the original untouched) as it's permanent. you can also adjust jpg sizes and some other stuff there as well and it does it to any file you have open in the editor that is 8 bit .

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thank you all for that information.

 

[WDWFigment]

I think the brush method is the best way. Also remember that even if you don't put metadata in the image or a watermark on it, you still have a copyright. Although the only real value in any of that is deterrant factor, as you can't enforce a copyright without actually registering it. For a single image, I believe the cost is around $30-45.

 

[pjacobi]

Feel free to steal all my photos. I'd accept it as a complement!

If you don't plan to ever sell your photos, why go to all the trouble with a watermark?

I seen lots of crappy photos where more time was spent on the watermark, then the actual photo.

-Paul

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Feel free to steal all my photos. I'd accept it as a complement!

If you don't plan to ever sell your photos, why go to all the trouble with a watermark?

I seen lots of crappy photos where more time was spent on the watermark, then the actual photo.

-Paul

For people that don't intend to commercially exploit their photos (which is kind of hard to do with WDW photos), I'm not sure why they get so worked up about it. It's their right, and I'll respect it, but I still don't get it.

 

[YesDear]

I agree with Mark. If you have no interest in the commercial aspect of the image, a watermark is probably more fluff than substance.

If you want to copyright an image or images you can at Copyright.gov. It does cost $35 but you can upload a single image or 4000 at one time if you want

Kelby Training just released a new class on copyright with an attorney. They cover it all!

 

[Chikabowa]

If you don't plan to ever sell your photos, why go to all the trouble with a watermark?

There was just a case recently where a family posted a family picture of themselves up on their family blog. It was not watermarked. About 6 months later, a friend of that family was driving through Prague and passed a grocery store. On the windows of the grocery store was a huge window-sized ad that had the exact family picture of his friends (that he had seen on their blog).

Even if you don't plan on selling photos, a watermark will protect your rights, even of your personal pictures. There are PLENTY of examples of family blogs where the family has their child's picture stolen and then used on other websites for tawdry purposes. There is even a popular Brazilian role-playing game where teenage/20-somethings go and find pictures of innocent children and use their pictures in their role-playing games. Many of my friends have found their own children being swapped and played with in these games.

It's just creepy.

While a watermark won't stop these things from happening, it can deter some of the attention away.

And if your photo is picked up by some multi-national company and then used as a primary advertisement, even though you didn't intend on ever selling it, wouldn't it be nice to reap the profit and recognition?

 

[jann1033]

i don't know how much a watermark really helps...unless you put it in the center where it ruins the photo how hard would it be to crop it out.

as far as copyright protection, not a copyright attorney for sure but from everything I've read it begins when you take the photo, write the line, have the idea etc. and put it into/onto something tangible not when you file for a copyright....

personally i think your best protection? put only low resolution photos of anything you might want to protect online and don't put photos online of your kids unless it's in a password protected gallery

 

[WDWFigment]

And if your photo is picked up by some multi-national company and then used as a primary advertisement, even though you didn't intend on ever selling it, wouldn't it be nice to reap the profit and recognition?

This is a popular misconception. You have a copyright in an image regardless of whether you put a watermark on the image; however, you don't have legal recourse (in court) for copyright infringement unless you register the image with the US Copyright Office. You may be able to get an infringer or someone who wants to use the property to pay for the right to use it, but without registering, your practical recourse against an infringer is greatly limited. Deterrence is the main advantage of the watermark. I also think they look cool.

 

[Chikabowa]

This is a popular misconception. You have a copyright in an image regardless of whether you put a watermark on the image; however, you don't have legal recourse (in court) for copyright infringement unless you register the image with the US Copyright Office. You may be able to get an infringer or someone who wants to use the property to pay for the right to use it, but without registering, your practical recourse against an infringer is greatly limited. Deterrence is the main advantage of the watermark. I also think they look cool.

I'm not under any misconception. I understand that you still own the copyright and I'm fully aware of the ramifications and process.

But isn't it just a little easier for someone to find you if the watermark is on the photo? Isn't it just one more step they have to take in order to get the high resolution file from you? Isn't it just easier to do prior to having to track them down and go through all that process and trouble?

I guess I just don't understand why you WOULDN'T want to watermark or at least take that extra step. Seriously, find a free web size photoshop action online, create a brush, and it literally takes all of 5 seconds to watermark you individual image. OR... if you host online somewhere (like zenfolio or smug mug) make a quick watermark and hit the little button that automatically puts a nice watermark over the web viewing portion of the file, while a person who wants to purchase a print can do so without a watermark on it.

To me, it seems as though it's easier to do that much in terms of protection of yourself and your photos (although I'm not under any misconception that it is at all foolproof) than sit around and talk about it. But to each their own. An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of trouble.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I guess I just don't understand why you WOULDN'T want to watermark or at least take that extra step.

I don't watermark because I don't mind people using my pictures. I take them for my own personal benefit and satisfaction. If others want to use them in ways that don't harm me (including Brazilian role playing games - that just makes me chuckle), it doesn't matter to me. I not only don't watermark them; I leave them available for full resolution downloads on my Smugmug site. They've shown up in political campaigns, foreign charity events, scrapbooks, on people's walls, and who knows where else.

Personally, I'd like to see more people treating pictures more like open source software. Make it freely available with minimal use restrictions. I was always taught to share.