putting your name/mark on a photo before sharing online

[shockadelica-]

ok nothing too serious here..i hope this is the right section to post this in

putting your name in a corner of your photo
before posting to share to others online
ive noticed that hardly anyone does this

it cant be trust..because this is the internet
anyone is open to come in and take what they want
i guess you dont really post the full size and quality image either

how do you view people that place their mark on a photo when sharing online? would it be the same answer if you can see they are far from pros?


quick question
have you ever thought about putting your mark on your photos before giving the online public access to view it

if not why haven't you chosen to do this
and if so why have you chose to do it?

[kipper]

I'm sometimes slack and don't do it. However I do stamp my photos most of the time. I'm working on writing a javascript for photoshop that will hopefully automate the process of saving for the web once I've cropped an image. It will basically add a frame and copyright. The best bet is also to limit your size of your photo to say 650px on the longest length. This will atleast stop people from getting quality 12x8 prints of your shots. Also add a copyright to the photo exif.

[gstark]

I take a different approach.

First of all, my copyright message is embedded in the EXIF.

Then, the images I post will rarely be of a quality suitable for anything other than viewing on the web; certainly, they will not be suitable for printing.

What's the problem ?

[Aussie Dave]

I always save as 72dpi (instead of the 300dpi out of the camera).

I have also created several varying Photoshop brushes that I use to stamp my photos before uploading onto the net. I could write an action but I'm used to using the brushes now so it's quick enough for me. I only PP one image at a time.

[Link]

Well, I very rarely post pictures on the web...

I remember using a tool in Photoshop to write directly on the photo (it's a case with a "T" in the toolbar) but it's tedious and doesn't look too good. I mean, it's more like a way to disfigure an image!

Maybe you should look into "watermarking" your photos but I don't know yet how to do that.

Link.

[stubbsy]

My viewpoint is exactly the same as Gary's. If someone wants to steal a crappy quality jpeg of mine - good luck to them. I resize (downsample) and compress anything I post.

If you want a simple watermarking solution Smugmug (and probably PBase) offer this via their professional service (costs US$99.95 pa) where photos automatically have PROOF in nice big letters across them.

[Regdor]

You could use a script in PS CS2, written by Joe Colson.

http://www.pbase.com/image/44824675.jpg

http://www.joecolson.com/PrintEXIF/downloads.htm

Rodger.

[stormygirl]

I personally think this is a very good idea. I know of people who have had their photos 'stolen', and then done the rounds on emails, other forums, and other web sites, without the knowledge of the photographer. They turn up again when someone emails them their own photos with a completely different story behind them!

Although they can be somewhat distracting from a beautiful 'work of art', watermarks can be useful in terms of the photographer getting credit where credit is due, and not have someone else steal them and claim them as their own. It does happen, and I have seen it happen with a lot of weather /storm photography.

My advice is just be careful! I haven't posted any pics for a while, but next time I do, they will probably have some form of watermark or copyright on them. This is a forum about photography with some absolutely amazing pictures on it! You never know who is looking and stealing and claiming as their own!

Just my 2 cents worth

[stubbsy]

Just a bit more viewpoint on this debate. If you add identifying text in the corner or edge of the image (eg the script regdor mentions above adds it to the bottom edge) does this actually deter anyone? If I wanted to rip off one of those shots I'd just recrop with the offending watermark removed. If you are serious about watermarking it MUST be across the entire image or it's too easy to remove.

[redline]

I am sick of "image theives". whether they're be someone you know or a website. the least these ppl can do is ask for permission! for using images.

now, i use ps batching to add embedded text slap bang in the centre of the pic at 50% opac. if ppl want free images i'll be happy too hand them out files when they start giving out free equipment.

what upsets me the most is that, there are ppl who shoot events and even hand out cd of pics for nothing, jesus. although its a good way to get into events, once you try charging ppl for this sevice do you really think they'll paid?

[KerryPierce]

I generally add my sig and copyright notice to my internet pics. It's a casual thing to deter easy theft, kinda like locking the camera in the car. I don't put my best edits online or worry about minor defects and never post full size images. The largest size I post is generally 800x600.

It doesn't matter a great deal. The pirates will take what they want, but I no longer make it easy for them. They will have to put at least a little effort into any stolen image of mine.

As you say, it's the internet. If you don't want an image stolen, don't put upload it.

[shakey]

No problem for me. I've never taken a photo good enough to steal!

shakey

[stubbsy]

No problem for me. I've never taken a photo good enough to steal!

shakey

... YET!

[PiroStitch]

I just optimise the image for web use only (ie. 72 dpi, low res jpeg, 800x600).

Hide your copyright in the jpeg comments and don't include the exif.

[stephen]

im with you Shaky i use the delete button a lot at the moment