To or not to

silvereye

Watermarking is the question.. does watermarking take away from the image???

angevin1

silvereye wrote: »

Watermarking is the question.. does watermarking take away from the image???

Yes, it takes away! It is rare that it doesn't. But sometimes you have to watermark. Many folks who do, do it opaquely and that tends to help.

Biffbradford

silvereye wrote: »

Watermarking is the question.. does watermarking take away from the image???

It depends. If you're selling photos online, then YES - you watermark. Right across the center. Just yesterday I had some photos stolen right off my site and posted on a major tournament web site with my watermark very poorly altered. I emailed them and told them either pay the licensing fee (very very reasonable) or take them down. They took them down.

Other photos I post on Facebook without a watermark fully knowing that they will be used without any photo credit to me ... and they are. I even ran across one in a sports news site from France.

IMO, a good watermark does detract from the image - it's supposed to! Photo credit is worthless to everyone except other photographers.

fredjclaus

I agree with Bill. I'd definately watermark your images, and move it to the mddle of the photograph. If you want, you could make it semi-transparent that way it doesn't detract from the image as much. Yes it is supposed to detract from the image, that's the point of a watermark. Watch where you put it though, because where it is right now, it's so easy for someone to edit that mark out. I'd make sure you put the watermark on something that has a lot of detail. That way when they try to use Photoshop or Paintshop Pro to remove the watermark, it ruins the photo.

hunter349

watermarking
Watermarking really depends on how you intend to use your images. If they are just in your portfolio I would stay away from a watermark. What I do with my images is I have created a very small (about 10x10 pixels) but easily identifiable logo that I put into some of my photographs with a low opacity. If you put it in grass, trees, or another busy part of your image it is almost completely invisible. I usually but 2 or 3 throughout the image.

The best way though is to officially have your images copyrighted. You can send in a DVD with literally thousands of images (thumbnail size but must be identifiable) to the national archives for I think $30 a DVD. If you ever find someone using your images you can send them a cease and desist letter letting them know that your images are copyrighted and you will have a leg to stand on if you ever have to take them to court.

Most people who would use your images are just as easily able to remove your water mark as you are able to put it on.

silvereye

Thanks for all the great info... it helps to see what other people are doing