Watermark? Copyright?

[susiecw]

Someone commented on one of my POTD photos at Flickr and told me she had seen it when she downloaded Photoscape (a free editing program) when she hit the "edit" key. It was on their edit front page. Obviously I was credited because somehow she linked to my photo, but I felt a little miffed since right under my photo is Flickr's standard copyright. In my profile it clearly states that no one is to use my photos without contacting me or without my permission. Except for the pics of my grandkids, my photos can be seen by anyone because I want people to see them. I did figure out who took this photo and have blocked him.

My question after all that, is that should we be using a watermark on all our photos? Do you sign and put a copyright symbol on yours? And, finally, how do you do that? Do you create the signature or watermark in Photoshop?

Aargh! Susie

[sweetpeony]

No help - but how annoying is that!?! How hard is it to take a picture instead of stealing one?

[SarahDanyelle]

Oh man. That sucks! I change the metadata in lightroom with all the copyright information filled in, but who knows if that helps. Since I "publish" straight from lightroom all of that info ends up out in the internet too. I know lots of people who use a watermark, but mostly I find them distracting.

[katrinak]

I would suggest you put your copyright information in your metadata. Everything I know, and have read, about watermarks is that they don't really provide the security you want. Get your data into your photo and now you've got more protection.

Unfortunately, this is a risk of putting our photos out for the world to see.

[connieg]

I just read an interesting article on Scott Kelby's blog earlier this month by guest RC Concepcion, "I Can Remove your Watermark with No Problem." He talks about copyrighting and watermarks and what a person needs to do to protect thier work.
Here is the link Scott Kelby's Photoshop Insider Blog » Photoshop & Digital Photography Techniques, Tutorials, Books, Reviews & More Blog Archive I Can Remove Your Watermark with No Problem…

[Amy L]

Susie, I'm so sorry they took your photo. I read that article on Scott Kelby's blog too. Hopefully these suggestions will help.

[carollee]

What an absolute nerve that is. I'd be more than miffed.

[Aino]

That is really BAD!!! I would be really disturbed by something like that. It is theft I think!

On the other hand, I DO understand why he chose your photos!! Hehehehe... LOVE the way your photography is taking you.

[earlofoxford]

Like Aino said, you can't blame him for wanting to snap such wonderful photos, but it's still WRONG!

[mugsbigsis]

I'm sorry, Susie. Some people lack ethics. I've found myself saying, "if they had just asked I would have been honored, . . ." But, when they just take things like that it infuriates me. I'm afraid I'd have to send him a very professional sounding letter. . . on my friends law firm stationary. :O)

[susiecw]

Thanks for your suggestions everyone! I appreciated them!

[Not Torm]

I haven't read that blog entry - but I will. I do watermark my photos just for that reason though - if at least to make it a little more difficult.

What I put on flickr is a cheap throwaway copy. It's more work on my part (which is why I'm always running a week to 10 days behind) but it makes me more comfortable. By a cheap throwaway copy I mean that it's just that - a copy. I copy my photo, smack my watermark directly onto it (not a layer), and shrink it for quicker uploading. Now, my knowledge is minimal, and perhaps someone can still run with that as well - but the change made me feel better anyway until I find out that it still doesn't do any good then I'll begin twitching again. LOL So sorry that happened to you

[AmyJ]

I put my copyright info into my metadata when I import them into Lightroom. So, it stays with them. But, I typically watermark them as well as I upload them to my blog- I've use a couple of plug-ins and on export it re-sizes, watermarks, and uploads them.

I recently had this happen to a scrapbook LO I posted elsewhere. They snatched it and posted it on another website. I sent the site owner a "nasty" well, not really nasty, but very firm email explaining that it was copyright infringement yada yada and that she needed to remove my LO immediately.

I think had they asked before doing that, I would have ok'd it.

(Now, my nephew did the same thing the other day to one of my layouts on my blog- to use it as his Facebook Profile Pic. . . . LOL I did not explain to him that he technically broke the law. It's different when your nephew loves a layout about himself enough to want to share it! I just smiled knowing I was the cool aunt from where he likes to get Facebook Profile Pics- I've also turned him into an Avatar making an Avatar poster.)

I also believe that there's no real way to stop them. But, at least, you do have remedies if you catch them.

But, I do limit where I post, quality, etc online.