Watermarking / Branding in LPS

natephoto

"Photos with branding or watermarks will be disqualified."

Obviously no one wants to look at or judge a photo in a contest with a giant "PROOF" across it.. But, is putting a border/frame around the photo with a small "Photographer | John Doe" at the bottom okay?

I saw a post in the last LPS thread.. can't find it now, maybe it was removed, but there was some small text with a web address in the bottom corner of an entry.. Can I do this if I submit a photo in the contest?

Thanks for the clarification!

Andy

natephoto wrote:

"Photos with branding or watermarks will be disqualified."

Obviously no one wants to look at or judge a photo in a contest with a giant "PROOF" across it.. But, is putting a border/frame around the photo with a small "Photographer | John Doe" at the bottom okay?

No, it is not. Sorry. You can put your ©, your name, etc, in the metadata, make an original of 800px, 72dpi, and use that file.

I saw a post in the last LPS thread.. can't find it now, maybe it was removed, but there was some small text with a web address in the bottom corner of an entry.. Can I do this if I submit a photo in the contest?

Thanks for the clarification![/QUOTE]We don't remove such threads

No adornments are necessary, thanks. Just the photo, please.

DoctorIt

Nate, one of our judges brought this up as well. I didn't disqualify anyone in this round (there were three folks with slight signature/watermarks), because I feel we didn't clarify the rule enough.

When I was initially writing the rule, just like you, I intended it to mean the type of large "proof" or branding mark. But in all fairness, Andy said it, we have to make it mean ALL text embellishments.

So yes,to clarify the rule:

No signatures, dates, copyrights, watermarks, proofmarks, any/all text embellishment that are not part of the artistic intent of the photo.

Aviran

but framing or boarders are ok?

Andy

Aviran wrote:

but framing or boarders are ok?

No. And I'll ask the judges to clarify this rather plainly.

Shay Stephens

Update
The moderators have talked this over and come to a decision that should serve most everyones needs.

Watermarks, the kind that obscure the photo, are not allowed. However, small copyright notices somewhere along the periphery of the photo would be encouraged for all entrants. It could take this form:
© 2007 name or website

But that is for you to decide what you want the notice to say.

We want you to get any recognition the photo generates and not have to rely on someone hunting down the exif info to find it. Just remember to make it unobtrusive and/or attractive. An ugly notice is going to negatively impact the presentation of your photo. Make it small, but legible, and keep it off to the periphery.

Borders are prohibited, spend your time making the photo stand on it's own without a border. As a judge, I want to focus on the content of the photo, not someones idea of a nice frame.

We want your photo to put its best foot forward, and ensure you get the credit you deserve.

davev

Ok. Don't hit me. How do you make (or get) that little c in the circle mark?
I don't see it on my keyboard.

Nikolai

Dave,

davev wrote:

Ok. Don't hit me. How do you make (or get) that little c in the circle mark?
I don't see it on my keyboard.

Multiple ways:
in html, i'ts & c o py ;
in any wndows text editor (including PS Type Tool), it's Alt+0169 (which is: press Alt, enter 0,1,6,9 on the numeric pad, release Alt), or just use Character Map from Accessories.

HTH

Nikolai

Shay,

Shay Stephens wrote:

...
However, small copyright notices somewhere along the periphery of the photo would be encouraged for all entrants. It could take this form:
© 2007 name or website

But that is for you to decide what you want the notice to say.

We want you to get any recognition the photo generates and not have to rely on someone hunting down the exif info to find it. Just remember to make it unobtrusive and/or attractive. An ugly notice is going to negatively impact the presentation of your photo. Make it small, but legible, and keep it off to the periphery.

Would it be OK to replace the submitted photo now (you know, SM allows you to replace it without messing up the URL) with a copyrighted one?

Shay Stephens

davev wrote:

Ok. Don't hit me. How do you make (or get) that little c in the circle mark?
I don't see it on my keyboard.

I just copy and paste it ©

Shay Stephens

Nikolai wrote:

Would it be OK to replace the submitted photo now (you know, SM allows you to replace it without messing up the URL) with a copyrighted one?

Yes, if you make up a new one, lets replace it.

Andy

davev wrote:

Ok. Don't hit me. How do you make (or get) that little c in the circle mark?
I don't see it on my keyboard.

on your mac, it's opt-g ©

davev

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natephoto

Okay, great! Thanks for the clarification guys, I guess it wasn't 100% decided upon or layed out, but it's clear now.

Good luck to all in the upcoing contests! :ivar