How do you feel about photographers watermarking their photographs?

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Permalink Reply by Chris Reynolds on February 27, 2010 at 4:05pm

i feel that if you don't want your work stolen.. then yes do it.. but personally i never put out images on sites that have anything to do with a past client.. any work i've made a dollar on.. the world does not need to see.. only on my personal website.. and i DO bolt my images with big lettering and watermarks! Any work you see on this site or others of my work is just my play around images i've done as a "hobby"..

Have a good one! :)

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Permalink Reply by Sean on February 27, 2010 at 6:57pm

If it is for public consumption you should watermark your work. If you are selling them a print then numbering it (if it is in a limited run) or signing it would be fine but no watermarks on those.

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Permalink Reply by CameraClicker on February 27, 2010 at 7:10pm

I just do this as a hobby, so I am not worried about someone stealing my photos. Also, most of what I upload here is only 600 to 800 pixels across, so it will not print very large.

I have seen some photos where the watermark was incorporated into the photo so that it enhanced rather than detracted from the photo. Obviously it takes a lot more time and thought to do that than to just plaster a watermark across the photo.

Some people feel very strongly about protecting their photos, others do this for fun. What you do will ultimately depend upon your motivation.

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Permalink Reply by SRT30D on February 27, 2010 at 7:50pm

Watermarking is just an insurance policy put on a sample print, so far as I'm concerned. On an "Original Print" my name/logo will be on the lower edge with the copyrite mark.
So far as shots being stolen, I'm under the impression that so long as I have the EXIF files from the shoot, I have the copyrite whether I watermark or not. Still, it doesn't hurt to get the copyrite office involved if you're really going to worry about theft of your pix.
And, as Cam says: don't put large files on any sites- keep them in the minor sizes. If you're using the shot for a contest, by all means, send a full size file if that's what's required, just don't sign over rights. And never ever work on the original file- make a copy and play with that one.
SRT

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Permalink Reply by Gia on February 28, 2010 at 7:44am

I suppose the question I am really asking is: Is it a turn off to you when you see a watermark on a photo. Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Mike Hiler on February 28, 2010 at 9:07am

I don't consider it a "turn-off" when I see a watermark on any posted images. I think the only people who would really consider your image protection scheme a "turn-off" are those who do want to download it and use it without permission.

I think if you intend to sell your work and use sites such as these to help get some exposure of your work, you should use a watermark of some sort on the face of the image, place a copyright in the EXIF data of the image file, and limit the resolution/size of images you post (such as Sean does).

Mike :)

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Permalink Reply by Sean on February 28, 2010 at 11:22am

Not a turn off if it doesn't distract from the image.

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Permalink Reply by Stacey Russell on February 28, 2010 at 3:02pm

It comes down to personal preference if you wanna use a watermark - like others are saying... if you feel your work might be stolen its a good idea.

Do I think its a turn off?
- I'll agree with most people here and say; yes it is a turn off if it is big and dorky and distracting from the photo.
If i'ts done in an artistic way, people will take you professionally - even with a watermark.


I don't always use watermarks on my images, but here are some examples:

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Permalink Reply by Katie Vanderhaeghe on February 28, 2010 at 9:41am

I kind of watermark my images, mostly because I post a lot on facebook (facebook's rights of use etc allows facebook to use images that you have uploaded without your permission, however they will not if it has a watermark). But I made mine less noticable, and I place it in one of the bottom corners (whichever is less intruding on the image). I also put all of my copyright information into the metadata, which is something that you could consider if you do not already do that.

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Permalink Reply by James Elliott on February 28, 2010 at 10:56am

To me the watermark is a distraction, and 90% of the time it can subtract from a good picture. However A more subtle watermark isn't so bad i.e. one that is faded into the background in a corner. I personally don't put watermarks on my photos. I'm just begining in photography so I'm not looking to make money right now. I trust others that they wouldn't steal my work but if they do well I'll be flattered :)

In the future as my work progresses I will probably use watermarks.

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Permalink Reply by Chris on February 28, 2010 at 11:07am

The only time a water mark turns me off is when someone uses a huge one dead center. If you're going to do that, why bother putting the photo on-line? You can't see the photo with a huge water mark. I'm perfectly fine with one in the corner or at the top or bottom though. I get that people are just trying to protect their work, so I'm ok with it. Just don't make it so big that people can't see the work.

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Permalink Reply by Edgar Alegre on February 28, 2010 at 1:47pm

I find it distracting sometimes ( when i'm in a bad mood ) when it's huge and smack in the middle like the sample picture above but then again it's not my picture so it doesn't matter and it doesn't bother me. It's the photographer's choice..:)...And if it does bothers me, I'll just move on to the next one that looks pleasing to look at...:).

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