What's in a name? If you're not a pro, does showing your name on a photo make it a better photo? Or does it mean you're a pro?

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

If you're not a pro, does showing your name on a photo make it a better photo? Or does it mean you're a pro?

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Maybe it means that you are proud of it????

Tikva Loc: Waukesha, WI

I have to admit that when I see a name on a photo I find it distracting. That is just my opinion. I know that pro's do it, and usually they put it some place where it isn't that distracting, and I understand why they do it. However, if you are not selling your photos, I just don't see the purpose of showing your name on the photo.

Resqu2 Loc: SW Va

I drop my name on a pic if I’m sending it into the news, I found several of my submitted pics in a gallery under “photographs by name withheld Reporter” after that I added my name to anything submitted. I’m not a pro by any means but I have full access to emergency scenes and usually get some good pics that get used on news sites for local stories.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

Tikva wrote:

I have to admit that when I see a name on a photo I find it distracting. That is just my opinion. I know that pro's do it, and usually they put it some place where it isn't that distracting, and I understand why they do it. However, if you are not selling your photos, I just don't see the purpose of showing your name on the photo.

I thank water-mark on the picture is prevent from stealing or using it without permission from the owner.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

A lot of large or poorly places watermarks make it a worse image ... but what are you asking about?

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

wingclui44 wrote:

I thank water-mark on the picture is prevent from stealing or using it without permission from the owner.

Or at least it's supposed to do that!

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I read the OP as "signing" or digitally signing the print.
Watermarks are completely different.

If one watermarks an image, it makes it much more difficult to "steal" but it is possible to clone it out. I use them if I need to send a proof to a client, to make sure they don't just print it off on their home printer. I prefer to do all business in person, but there are times when a family member is out of town, or if I shoot a large event like a marathon, where the intended recipients would probably spend more removing the watermark, than just paying me for the image.

I don't ever post anything online that hasn't already been sold, and if I sell a print, include a small digital file with my name attached so if people want to share it online, people know who did the photo. I figure, just about anyone could scan a print that was purchased anyway, and it wouldn't have my name attached.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I'm not fond of watermarks within a photograph. However, it probably means someone is trying to keep some low life from stealing it. You know how the web works.
--Bob

gvarner wrote:

If you're not a pro, does showing your name on a photo make it a better photo? Or does it mean you're a pro?

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

OK, That's a lot of reasons for and against a watermark. Did y'all forget the question was whether showing your name makes it a better photo? The simple answer is, "No way".

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

OddJobber wrote:

OK, That's a lot of reasons for and against a watermark. Did y'all forget the question was whether showing your name makes it a better photo? The simple answer is, "No way".

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

rmalarz wrote:

I'm not fond of watermarks within a photograph. However, it probably means someone is trying to keep some low life from stealing it. You know how the web works.
--Bob

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

gvarner wrote:

If you're not a pro, does showing your name on a photo make it a better photo? Or does it mean you're a pro?

If you believe that what you create is art then, as artists have done for eternity, put your name on your art in whatever format you choose. When people buy art they want the artist's name on the piece of artwork, deep down they most likely think that maybe some day that artist could be famous and the print will be worth more money with the artist's name on it. I am proud of my work and these days I always sign it in some fashion, still trying to decide the best approach on that. There was one print I sold a few years ago, the entire background was black, that I thought my name would ruin the look and when it was purchased the person asked me to sign the print: people expect to purchase signed work. You don't need to be a "pro" to sign your artwork.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

There is no way a signature can protect one from having an image purloined. Those who do that know how to use Photoshop tools to remove a signature. When you post a significant image make scrupulous records of when, where to use in case you wish to sue for copyright infraction or fill a monetary claim.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Tikva wrote:

I have to admit that when I see a name on a photo I find it distracting. That is just my opinion. I know that pro's do it, and usually they put it some place where it isn't that distracting, and I understand why they do it. However, if you are not selling your photos, I just don't see the purpose of showing your name on the photo.