Do you know how to watermark your photos?

I don't watermark our images, but my partner does. The reason for this being that he's starting up a photography business and doesn't want other people making a profit off photos that he's taken. I asked him once how to do it, and he said he'd show me, but not surprisingly, he never got round to it. I don't use his watermarked images for Mylot though, I don't see the need to. The photos we share on here were taken by both of us, and so are able to be shared as and when I see the need.

I haven't but it might be worth giving it a shot, I think I would be irritated if someone took mine, especially the ones I've used of my kids. Now THAT would make me mad! I am going to check out that site now, thanks for sharing!

Since I sell my photos on microstock sites, I do watermark them. I have seen people on here uploading photos that I KNOW they didn't take, and that means they are making money on them, so I want to protect myself and my investment. I use Photoshop to do it. I find doing it with layers is easier than the built-in tool.

There's a filter that comes preloaded with photoshop that does this for you. Under filters-digimark, i think. I can't remember off the top of my head, as I've never used it. I have so little stuff online, and nobody tends to want to use it anyway, so I'm not too worried about people infringing on my rights.

That's interesting, sacmom. I haven't heard anything about watermark before. I'm having a dilemma about my avatar. I'm afraid there is no way to stop others from using it because I've seen it widely spread all over the internet. My avatar is my real pet bunny and I have submitted it a website before. Oh well, I guess my bunny is too adorable that nobody can't resist, LOL!

I've never put a watermark on any of my photos. I never even thought of doing so. I have all the proof I need right here to show that the phot belongs to me if I feel that someone is abusing the photos I post. I have seen a few of the photos I have posted used as other peoples avatars but I just feel honored that they like my photo that much.

I never knew you could watermark your own photos. I am glad you have shared this information with us. Will definitly be looking into it.

I did a whole discussion about this some months ago...being a pro photographer I don't like the idea that anyone can download my photos and perhaps use them for their own purposes and get credit or paid for them..here's that discussion.....I even did an article about it for Associated Content http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/1315919.aspx

Thanks Sacmom, I didn't know anything about watermarking photos, or that you could. Thanks for the heads up, just in case one day I want to do mine.

My friend watermarks his photos because he does it for business. He brought a program for customized watermarking. My cousin won't even upload his photos online because he's wary about others "stealing" his photos. Right now, I still don't have any concerns about my photos but when I start my business I might be seriously think about that.

most of time, I do not stamp a watermark on my photos unloded to net, since I'm not a professional photographer, i am apreciated if others like my photos. Sometime, I just add a small signatur and frame to make the pictures looks better. I once wrote a short linux script to add the watermark to the photos, it works fine.

I dont watermark my photos, mostly because I dont really care if people use my pictures. However if I happen to see someone making money of my photos this is different. I have the originals backed up and know what I need to show to prove the photographs are mine so if you want a law suit then go ahead and use my photographs for profit lol.

I do now! Most of the photos I would be uploading to myLot are so important they need to be protected, but I illustrate some articles that I publish elsewhere and those photos I feel do need to be protected. I think it is well worth it and good software makes the watermarked photos look really great as well. There are many ways you can watermark for free, but one program seems to stand out above all the rest for ease of use and great results and that is Watermark Factory. The link you posted above is a good one, though. I like About.com!

No I donot watermark my photos. I suppose if I were a professional photographer it might matter, but I take terrible pictures. I really could care less. I don't know how to do it either. Yah I 'm guilty of cheating too. I don't draw a picture and scan it every time I want to use a picture. I use clipart a lot.

Never thought about it before. Thanks for the link and the info.

I watermark some images but not all. Only some that are important for something i am doing . General images I don't really bother. Watermarking work better for professional work but the general pictures that we make for fun or just to put on a site or something it doesn't really matter much.

sacmom, I know how to do the watermarking, but I haven't bothered with it for a long time now. Most people will find a way around it if they really want to. :) I could see why some people would want to do it though.

I think watermarking your photos is worth it in so much as it acts as a deterrent. It certainly isn't impossible to remove them and therefore have someone claim them as their own, but depending on the size and complexity of said watermark, they may be investing a lot of time to remove them, and I doubt many people would find it to be worth such effort. I have not as of yet been watermarking my photos, but I plan to do so as I'm working through all my files and reorganizing photos. It isn't a sure thing, but it's a decent deterrent, at least. I would also recommend inputting exif data in addition to watermarks. The only way to really safeguard one's work is to register copyright. And, even then, it only does you any good if you find out your work has been stolen in the first place.