Watermark??

[theduck619]

I was speaking with a colleague today and they said it is important to watermark all of your pictures that you post. I can understand that for the better photographers, but is that something a newbie like me should worry about?

Thanks,

David

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I never do. It's a personal choice. Without a watermark, it is easier for people to use your pictures. That really bothers some people and doesn't concern others.

 

[Sam241]

I didn't used to be as concerned about it in tell I found some people reposting my photos with giving me any credit. Now I watermark everything I post online but I do it at the bottom of the photo so it's not obtrusive (Of course this also makes it easier for people to crop the watermark off if they want, but if they want the photo that bad well lol).

It's up to you like the other commenter said.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Since I'm not in it for the money, I don't worry about it. Actually, if someone thinks my photos are good enough to steal, I'd be proud. Many of mine have been used on our racetrack websites for advertising and I'm just proud to have them there!

 

[krb2g]

I post without watermarking (I'm neither making nor trying to make money off my photography), but I've been playing with the idea of coming up with one, just for the fun of it....

 

[photo_chick]

Watermarks are really pretty easily removed from an image these days and it really doesn't take much skill to do it. In order to put one on that would be effective you'd end up covering most of your image. It makes some people feel better and others see it as a way to promote themselves.

Noting stops people from lifting an image. That's why my rule is don't post what you don't want stolen. And put your information in the metadata of what you do post. Fewer people seem to know how to remove that.

 

[MICKEY88]

some photographers watermark evrything for the folowing reason,

copyright infringement is a crime, removing watermarks might be easy these day, however removing a watermark, elevates the infringement to a felony

 

[theduck619]

Thanks for the responses! I figured any mark I put on it could be removed if someone wanted it that bad, not that I have any pics like that yet. How do you add info to the metadata?

 

[photo_chick]

Thanks for the responses! I figured any mark I put on it could be removed if someone wanted it that bad, not that I have any pics like that yet. How do you add info to the metadata?

I add my info in Lightroom when I import the RAW files for processing. But there's a number of ways you can do it. If you're using windows it's as easy as clicking properties and editing the details. There's also an option to remove all personal data there, but for some reason it seems like people just don't know it's there. Then again, a lot of people don't even realize all the data that can be attached to an image to start with.

copyright infringement is a crime, removing watermarks might be easy these day, however removing a watermark, elevates the infringement to a felony

Do you have a source for this you can point me to to learn more? I've never seen or heard anything that indicates it, but if it's true it would change the way many photographers I know view watermarks. Keeping in mind that as it stands right now in the US you can't file a copyright infringement suit unless your work is registered, I'm very interested in how removing a watermark would make it a felony.

 

[GrillMouster]

Copyright watermarks were once required, but that hasn't been the case for a few decades now. However a copyright watermark would make your case of willfull infringement stronger, especially if the violator removed the watermark. None of this really matters if you don't bother to register the photos. You have copyright even if you don't register the image, but you won't be able to file in federal court if your image is stolen (copyright violation is a federal crime). This is for the United States.

 

[Shutterbug]

I shoot photos for my autocross car racing club. The photos are free for people to use and post on their facebook and such. I do put two watermarks on the photos though. I put the name of the club in one corner and my name in the other. This helps to promote the club and then promotes me as the photographer.

 

[BillyBuff]

I do watermark my images usually for self promotion plus I am also a wedding photographer so I don't want someone else taking my works and posting it as their own or for other commercial uses. I know watermarks can be cropped out or even Photoshopped off but at least its a deterrent.

According to the copyright laws, your images are copyrighted from the moment you create them. While this copyright exists, the government has set up barriers to enforcing those rights so getting "full" copyright protection involves in registering your work with the U.S. Copyright Office.

I don't watermark all of my images, only the ones that I have shot from my wedding business.

So, to watermark or not to watermark...that's all based on preferences.

 

[WDWFigment]

however removing a watermark, elevates the infringement to a felony

This is not true.

I watermark a lot of images I post, but only for self-promotion. A lot of them end up on Tumblr (doesn't bother me at all, even though I don't really understand the point of Tumblr), so the watermark serves as good marketing.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

I do it cause my wife told me to...

 

[theduck619]

This is not true.

I watermark a lot of images I post, but only for self-promotion. A lot of them end up on Tumblr (doesn't bother me at all, even though I don't really understand the point of Tumblr), so the watermark serves as good marketing.

Thanks for the info. Do you have to have a particular editing software or do things like basic photoshop or iPhoto have the ability?

BTW, Tom hello from a fellow Indy resident. We live on the westside, but I work downtown. If I may ask, what part of town do you call home?

 

[MICKEY88]

This is not true.

I've seen this topic often on other photography forums and have seen links for this info posted more than a few times, if you can show me info to the contrary that would be great

 

[WDWFigment]

I've seen this topic often on other photography forums and have seen links for this info posted more than a few times, if you can show me info to the contrary that would be great

As you've seen links for the information posted, why don't you post those here? My 'source' is my knowledge of IP law as an attorney.

There are various factors that can make a violation rise to the felony level, and removing a watermark is evidence of willful infringement, but other factors must also be satisfied. Removing a watermark doesn't "automatically" make the violation rise to the felony level.

 

[MICKEY88]

As you've seen links for the information posted, why don't you post those here? My 'source' is my knowledge of IP law as an attorney.

There are various factors that can make a violation rise to the felony level, and removing a watermark is evidence of willful infringement, but other factors must also be satisfied. Removing a watermark doesn't "automatically" make the violation rise to the felony level.

not questioning your knowledge, I'd love to have the info to post on those sites, unfortunately the search engines on those forums are pretty much useless, if the topic comes up again I'll bookmark the links and share

 

[Bonniec]

Noting stops people from lifting an image. That's why my rule is don't post what you don't want stolen. And put your information in the metadata of what you do post. Fewer people seem to know how to remove that.

This.

For the record, I don't watermark my personal photos. Just be aware, if you choose not to, that people may try and pose as the person in your photo or claim you child is their's (I've actually seen someone do the second one). Just be aware of the risks. Watermarks are pretty easy to remove. You'd really have to watermark something to the point that you cant see the image anyway.

 

[BillyBuff]

Copyright protection subsists from the time the work is created in fixed form. The copyright in the work of authorship immediately becomes the property of the author who cre* ated the work. Only the author or those deriving their rights through the author can rightfully claim copyright.

A lot of info can be found here: http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html#what