by Lucky Stars
Member since:
May 17, 2007

About Watermarks on Photos.........

August 09, 2007 07:48 PM EDT
views: 190 | comments: 33

I know there has been much discussion lately about some people's content being taken or used by others with out permission. Watermarks for photos were discussed in the past week. I took a few minutes in a photo program and came up with what I think is a watermark.

I'd like your opinion about it. I know if skilled enough someone can remove the watermark but at least it puts a damper on things. Also, why doesn't Gather have a "no right click" built into the HTML? Yes, I know some people can get around that too but at least it's a deterrent.

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I used Microsoft Picture IT!  I added the text as a separate layer and then made it as transparent as I wanted. Is this what a watermark should look like?
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Comments: 33

Yes, that's a watermark.
Also, you can get around a no-right click very easily, and still get the full image.
Lauralee Proudfoot Aug 9, 2007, 7:50pm EDT
it would keep me from using it in a power point or something.... (that's the only way I ever use ~borrowed~ pics... a one shot presentation for school - and even then I link them to the source before I hand it into the prof)
cindy beck Aug 9, 2007, 7:52pm EDT
you got it sister...and that is very smart. all my work has a c in a circle on it along with my artists signature and date. that makes it mine...also i usually try to print that all my works are owned and copyrighted by me somewhere on a site.
Lauralee Proudfoot Aug 9, 2007, 7:53pm EDT
disabling the right click menu is just annoying ...and SO easily defeated (Print Screen) .... not worth the aggravation it causes
It IS aggrevation, Lauralee, because I use right click to open links in a new window so that I don't have to leave the site I'm on. I -hate- that.
Lucky Stars Aug 9, 2007, 7:56pm EDT
So why don't I see anyone here using it? Because the resolution is too low? It's not THAT bad for someone to use online. Or is it because the serious artists don't put their best stuff here? I'm just asking.....
Lacey K. Aug 9, 2007, 8:15pm EDT
It's a beautiful photo. :)
Elaine M. Aug 9, 2007, 8:20pm EDT
Someone commented a while back that no, they don't put their best stuff on the web because, yes, it can be stolen. so that's one way out of it.

I have seen more people using watermarks lately than in the past. Apparently they are not too difficult to get around (by people more skilled in computers than me!) if someone really wants to steal the pic. My feeling is that at the res we use here, thieves aren't going to get much!

Your watermark looks nice; personally I like it a little more transparent, but that's me. Both my sister (Marilyn who comments...S) and I have started playing with the marking through that program I wrote about. Mare likes hers in the center, while I tend toward the bottom. More a vanity than anything else, but maybe it deters some of the less capable thieves... :-)
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Aug 9, 2007, 8:27pm EDT
Yes, this is it.
JoAnne D. Aug 9, 2007, 8:33pm EDT
cool
Joe Corso Aug 9, 2007, 8:35pm EDT
That very good, problem, what good is a watermark going to do? Easier to just put a copyright notice onto the picture, and I can't do it I don't know what the format is, probably something I'll find in the word processor. But the resolution on gather is so low, isn't much you can do with the picture.
Trish A. Aug 9, 2007, 8:44pm EDT
It distressed me that people have to do this but I guess that is the reality of copyright! I wish you the best.
Shaunee C. Aug 9, 2007, 9:27pm EDT
very nice picture great work
Michael Hawkins Aug 9, 2007, 9:29pm EDT
I'm in favor of something. Many images I've seen by Gather people are certainly worthy of use by stealing sneak thieves who don't have the talent themselves. Maybe Gather could come up with a "no right click" deterrent or a members only kind of thing. I'm not personally worried about anything of mine being used. How much money can you make off a picture anyway? If anything does change in this area please let us know.
Nan G. Aug 10, 2007, 1:04am EDT
It is a shame so much work must be done to protect.
Erica M. Aug 10, 2007, 9:02am EDT
I could definately get rid of that watermark if I wanted to. But then again, I am not into stealing photography. It comes down to there is no way to protect your stuff online, someone could even take a screen shot if the photo is locked. I always downsample all my photos on the web. Some people are just trying to make up for their own lack of talent.
Jann L. Aug 10, 2007, 10:44am EDT
Hi Bobbi, I love your image but absolutely hate the look of the watermark there. If I were to be a judge in any sort of contest that watermark would eliminate your photo from my consideration.

I have noticed that there are several other people here at Gather who use watermarks or very noticeable signatures. I find that I can't look at the aesthetics of the image without seeing those as well.

In my art studies it was suggested that unless your signature adds value to your drawing or painting it should be fairly discreet. My approach is that large signature only adds value to a photograph when you have already made a name for yourself like, for example Ansel Adams or Cartier-Bresson. Of course, you don't need to be at the pinnacle of your career for your name to give added value.
Layla Morgan Wilde Aug 10, 2007, 12:55pm EDT
I add a watermark/signature that I hope doesn't distract from the work.
Heather P. Aug 10, 2007, 3:12pm EDT
Cool

I'm glad you're thinking about this!

I don't have any really good photos to worry about.
Jimmy _ Aug 10, 2007, 9:43pm EDT
My rule is, If you plan on selling it don't put it on Gather. Like Spartan said, the resolution is so low that the photo is almost worthless for anything except conversation.

Some buyers only want unpublished material so I never put my best on Gather.
Beth H. Aug 11, 2007, 11:08am EDT
Good article and a great conversation starter. I like seeing what other photographers recommend.
Neat water mark
lemzo n Aug 12, 2007, 9:56am EDT
Thanks for sharing, last week I found one of my shot on other site posted by somebody else, very frustrating.
Dona B. Aug 12, 2007, 9:09pm EDT
That's a very good watermark. Well done and well placed!
M & M. Aug 15, 2007, 3:42pm EDT
You did a great job. Yes, that is what is should look like. However, a very skilled peron on the computer can just about get rid of any of them. Most people cannot though.
Cindy K. Aug 15, 2007, 11:19pm EDT
For watermarking, I use a small oval in the corners of my work, with a short version of my screen name in it. But only on things I create in PSP. It's small and doesn't detract from the artwork. I don't worry about anyone stealing my photos that I post here, though. They're nothing special.
Sue * Aug 21, 2007, 11:40pm EDT
This was interesting to read the article and the comments...I had no idea how this was done.
elizabeth e. Aug 23, 2007, 11:15am EDT
Interesting comment thread...never thought about copywriting my material with water marks. Ummm....food for thought.
You did a great job making your watermark, great photo too.
Do you want to give a lesson in how you did it?
I've never been able to make one like that.

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