JaiGieEse Loc: Foxworth, MS

I've just encountered a minor issue with Lightroom, and thought to pass it along.

Some time ago, I opened an on-line shop, in which I offer prints of my images. At the outset, being concerned with image theft/misappropriation, I elected to upload my product images in low-res form, with watermarks. I'd created my logo in Illustrator, and so, I used that as my watermark. This was applied upon export by LR.

After a time, I began to note that my images, after uploading, seemed to be somewhat lack-luster, as in kinda flat and color-muted. I spent some time re-calibrating my monitor, but this did not seem to be the source of the problem.

Then, a few days ago, I integrated an app into my Shopify system, one that disables right-click and a few other methods of downloading an image. Then I began to replace my uploaded work, substituting watermark-free images for those already on-line. As I made the swaps, I noticed that that the appearance of my images improved, and not just by the removal of the watermark. The flat, color-muted appearance went away with removal of the watermark.

It appears that when LR adds a watermark, it also adds a slightly darker over-lay, which results in the flatness.

Perhaps this is intentional, but I do like the much-improved appearance of my work. And, aside from this little issue, I do very much appreciate LR - as well as the other Adobe apps.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

If you would post two versions of the images you've described, storing the originals, we can help you understand the exact cause. Whether a watermark is applied or not is not the cause of the issues you've described. Simply spreading misinformation from misunderstanding is not an effective service to the public.

JaiGieEse Loc: Foxworth, MS

I HAVE determined the exact cause - the watermark applied by LR - and as I clearly said, The difference in appearance of my images after removing the watermark is very noticeable.

Inasmuch as I still have the need to eliminate the watermarks from my uploaded product images anyway, I do not feel the need to satisfy your need to avoid "misinformation." I've better things to do.

WessoJPEG Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

Cannon knows all, he thinks.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Do you seriously think that you alone has uncovered a bug in Lightroom / Adobe products that no other user has discovered?

If applying watermarks caused a comparatively negative appearance as you've described, honestly, you think you've discovered this conspiracy all by your lonesome? Wouldn't the internet, or at the very least UHH, be flaming out over this issue? This would be a near daily observation. But so far, only you and the crickets have uncovered this truth ...

The offer to help was serious. The answer, or at least more realistic theories, should be obvious from the technical details of the images. Why don't you want to know what specifically is occurring? Because you alone know better? Seriously?

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

The simplest answer, and one that would avoid this escalating into a flame war, is to contact Adobe and ask them about this issue.

JaiGieEse Loc: Foxworth, MS

Seriously?? I HAVE solved the issue to my satisfaction. I simply thought to point out the issue I've encountered - and my satisfactory, so that others might be aware of the possibility that it may occur elsewhere. I, in no way, have suggested that I alone have uncovered an issue in the LR workflow.

I will proffer the possibility that other factors may have something to do with the matter, but, inasmuch as the anomaly has vanished for me, I see no need for further exploration, especially not to assuage your insistence.

Bless your heart.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

When presented with scrutiny against your allegation, your half-hearted acknowledgement you could be wrong, I guess, is the best the public will get ...

truthiness (noun) ~ the quality of seeming or being felt to be true, even if not necessarily true.

Given you're actually guessing, let's make some wild ones: It was Tuesday when you decided to remove the watermarks. As a public service and general best practice, only create your upload files on a Tuesday. Since it's Tuesday and you're in agreement this is satisfactorily resolved, this one is more truthy by a factor of 2x rather than your lone observations about watermarks.

BTW- if you don't know what caused it, how do you know what fixed it? And don't want to know? Guess Tuesdays are going to be big days in your weekly schedule.

Joe Blow

I understand your position and have no problem with your point. However, you raised the point for our consideration. I'm not suggesting you are / may be wrong simply because I don't know. Your solution may be perfectly correct, or it may just be a band-aid. Whatever the cause is, it is a very valid and worthy concern that should be investigated.

I don't use Lightroom and don't have an answer. But I do understand the mistake of assuming something is the cause of a problem when it is just the indication. Lets not have a flame war over something like this. A Watermark shouldn't effect the quality of the image. If it does, then it isn't working. Anyone paying for the Lightroom package is not getting what they paid for if they can't watermark their images.

Bill_de Loc: US

You have been here long enough to know that if you say it is cold outside the response from some will be to upload a photo and be sure to save original so we can help you. It doesn't matter that you didn't ask for help.

Thanks for sharing what you found. It will probably help someone who has gone through the same steps as you have.



--

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

delete

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

I think you did the right thing, a simple share and a question. Posting the images would have been a help.
The response to help while assigning motives and bad intentions to you was out of line, and likely a projection.
I have no idea what the problem was, however.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Such conceit. You may NOT have determined the exact cause. If your watermark is an overlay, you have NOT determined an effective solution. Someone was willing to use his time and expertise to try to help you, and your reply was arrogant and rude! Good luck, genius.

Largobob

I guess I tuned-in late. My money's on CHG CANON. Let the games begin. <big grin>