Do you like the watermark?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Papa Rotzzi on December 23, 2011 at 1:42pm

Why does it have to be one or the other? Look through my work and you will see a different font and location for almost every photo! 

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Permalink Reply by Michela Diddle on December 23, 2011 at 1:45pm

Thats another option I was exploring. Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Shane Cullihall on December 24, 2011 at 5:41pm

I agree with Papa Rotzzi.  I don't typically use them, but if I did I would want it to "fit" each shot individually.  Depending on the mood/theme of the photo, certain colors and fonts just wouldn't work and would take away from the shot, so adaptability would be a good thing :D

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Permalink Reply by John Wright on December 28, 2011 at 4:49am

I like the first one best.

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Permalink Reply by Gary Vernon on December 28, 2011 at 6:06am

Not sure i like the font or the vertical text, the pink color will be limiting as it'll clash with quite a few image tones and detract.

Best to choose a neutral color, i use 50% gray with a minimal Sanlite font on a layer and just lighten or darken depending on position and background tone in the image.

In any case the most important thing is the image itself, the site where i mostly hang out doesn't allow signatures or text in any uploads..

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Permalink Reply by Greg Johnston on December 28, 2011 at 7:31am

If you have a photography business I think it is imperative to have a consistent message (image) in all of your marketing collateral, which your photo's are a part of.  If you are just putting a watermark on your photo's to identify it is yours or make it a bit harder for people to steal them, then it doesn't matter.

You don't see McDonalds change the color or shape of their M at every store to suit their surroundings because they want everyone who sees it, to recognize it is theirs.  Those golden arches are the same worldwide.

The other thing is that your watermark should be easily identifiable to you.  In your examples I had a hard time reading the second one because I had to turn my head and read sideways.  The first one was also not easy for me to see, but I think that is because I am old.  I found the letters too close together so I had to read it a couple of times to understand what it said, but that is likely just me. So of the two, I like the first one better.

Re the color pink may cause a conflict with some photos in the future, depending on what you are shooting.  In your two examples it is not a problem but if it was a young lad in a cowboy outfit or a person in motorcycle leathers, pink may be a problem, but then, they may not want to be photographed by someone from a company called Pinklilipad because it doesn't suit the image they see as a photographer for them.  To me, your name tells me the type of customers you want.  If that is the restriction you want, then no problem. 

Personally, I think a watermark on a photo should say something about who you are and should be discrete, but again, that is just me.  I also like the opacity at about 50% making it more discrete.  Your first watermark works well for that image but I would prefer less opacity.

In the end, it depends what you want the watermark for.  If it is to make your photo hard to copy, then put a big contrasting watermark right through the middle of the image, but that will take away from the art.  If it is to identify who shot it, then I suggest something simple and easy to read.  If it is to identify your company, I suggest it be easier to read, consistent in font, size to image and color in every image.  If it is for a company, do you have a logo, because you could make that your watermark.  I personally think discrete is classier than bold but bold works if it is the image you want to portray.  Having a bold watermark with the name Pinklilipad would seem to me, a conflict.

Good luck

 

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Permalink Reply by Michela Diddle on December 28, 2011 at 6:50pm

Thanks!

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