Phyllis Loc: NE PA

Hello everyone. It's nice to be here.

I am Phyllis from Northeastern Pennsylvania. Although I am not new to photography, I am new to this forum and lots of other things. I am hoping to learn whatever I can to help make me a better photographer and I welcome your input.

Thank you in advance for your suggestions and ideas.

Phyllis

Gone Fishin'


Smile


Ya Gotta Smell the Flowers

CCC

Dear Phyllis:

Thank you for your posting. You have some appealing images. My question;why are you placing your copy-right,name, and year information within your images?

That information is obscuring the beauty of your images.

Sincerely,

CCC

Phyllis Loc: NE PA

Thanks, CCC. That is one of the things I am hoping to learn here. I would love to know how to place that information in my photo where it won't be a distraction. I asked that question under Watermarks and I'm hoping someone can help me.

CCC

Hi Everyone:

Thank you for the reply. Below is some information that can get you started on watermarking your photographs.

How to Watermark Your Photos
Protect Your Digital Images by Watermarking Your Photos

By Kyle Schurman, About.com Guide
See More About:

watermarking photos
photo editing tips

Some information at this site:http://cameras.about.com/od/photoeditingtips/a/How-To-Watermark-Your-Photos.htm

Sincerely

CCC

Phyllis Loc: NE PA

Thanks for sending me the link, CCC. I will look everything over and hopefully put it to good use. :D

CCC

Dear Phyllis:

Top of the morning to you. Know that you are welcome.

Sincerely,

CCC

notnoBuddha

Attn; CCC - Excuse for interjecting myself in this thread but I was before and I am still somewhat confused on the importence of tagging or watermarking one's photos. Am I correct that even without doing so the photographer has certian legal rights to the use of their photos and to actually make those rights more obvious then the marking of their photos just makes it so it is less of a point of arguement. Also is it correct that the process to actually get a registered copyright for photos is not that hard? My last question is - seems that it many cases if someone wants to steal your photo is and remove your watermark - in a lot of cases all they have to do is crop that part of the photo away? Seems to me doing so is something to help discourage the use of ones photos and it does make them look more professional. Yes - I may be overthinking this. Thanks

CCC

Thank for your concern. I gave information of how a watermark can be applied to the image.

Sincerely,

CCC

Phyllis Loc: NE PA

Thanks, CCC, and same to you!

Phyllis Loc: NE PA

Hi notnoBuddha,

Thanks for your comments. I agree with you that putting your name across a photo detracts from its beauty and is often useless.

I have well over a hundred photos living on various sites on the internet and I know that they are easy pickings for anybody to use. Adding your name on the side or the bottom does nothing to deter theft since, as you pointed out, the name can easily be cropped off. And imprinting your name across the middle of the photo only ruins it. What I am looking for is a way to insert my copyright info across the middle of the photo transparently so that it uses the colors already in the photo, doesn't stick out like a sore thumb, and still protects it from unauthorized use by someone else.

I did this once last year to one of my images (below), but I don't remember how I did it and I could not find my instructions on how to do it. So, I asked for help.

Into the Unknown

CCC

Dear Fellow Image Creator:

Thank you for your input. You brought up an informative question. Why copyright? Below is some information about the subject and a link for more facts dealing with the question of why copyright your images.

Sincerely,

CCC

Copyright your digital photos
One common misconception for any startup photographer is: once you've captured the photo, it completely belongs to you. However, in order to claim ownership and file a potential copyright infringement suit, you must properly present and copyright your work, register your photos, and know your rights as a professional photographer.

Step One: Properly Copyright Your Print and Digital Photos

Many photographers often include a copyright notice in the footer of their photo; some even overlay their copyrights with a watermark. It may seem like a no-brainer at first, but consider the following three rules:

1. Include the copyright symbol: ©

2. Include the year, or more precisely the date of your photo's publication

3. Include your professional photography business name

Two more recommendations for copyright inclusion:
Consider adding your geographical location. This could help in court to speed up the process of identifying potentially similar business names.

It's also a good practice to include "All Rights Reserved". This phrase is automatically assumed in the U.S., however, it's not always the case in other parts of the world. Although the U.S. serves as the dominant photography market, consider the option of registering a copyright in other countries. Some countries make clear distinctions between moral rights and economic rights in photography usage and copyright restrictions.

Link: http://www.weddingphotographydirectory.com/wedding-photo/for-wedding-photographers/professional-articles/photo-copyright-protection.aspx

Step Two: Register Your Photography with the U.S. Copyright Office

Step Three: Getting to Know Your Photography Ownership Rights

Related Articles:
Your Rights to Shoot Photography On-Location and Image Usage
Model Release Primer: Liabilities and Release Form Samples

CCC

Dear Hi Everyone:

Thank you for your honorable and open postings. In addition to your question about copyright here is some information that you may want to think about:

Metadata What?

The most common definition for metadata is: data that describes data. This typically means adding text information to a text document, image, or any file. Metadata can be very powerful and is extremely flexible. The JPEG image file format can contain metadata, and can be used maliciously. Wedding couples that decide to share their wedding photos online should consider removing the metadata from their images.

Metadata can be added by a user, software, or a digital camera. The information embedded into a JPEG image can contain:

Copyright Information
Complete original image thumbnail
Image manipulation software used: (Photoshop, Paintshop, Corel Draw)
Text comments
GPS location (Global Positioning Satellite)
Serial numbers
Text descriptions
Camera make and model
Date and time
Camera software version
Exposure and ISO mode

These are just samples of metadata that can be found in a typical digital wedding photo. Metadata in general, has many benefits when properly used. JPEGs that contain metadata can help both wedding couples and photographers to identity photo descriptions and properties such as digital camera settings, lighting information, geographical location, and previews.

Link:http://www.weddingphotographydirectory.com/wedding-photo/general-articles/jpeg-privacy-alert.aspx

Sincerely,
CCC

notnoBuddha

Attn; Phyllis - Although I have never done it I believe you could use layers to print your name, the coppyright symbol, or anything else you cared to - adjust the transparency to any degreee that you cared do and apply to any location of any picture you cared to. Once you had such a layer, if saved as a layer you could then have it for any others pictures you would care to do the like. Have a good day.

Phyllis Loc: NE PA

Thanks, notnoBuddha. That's a great idea. I never thought of that. I'll give it a try. :D