Should I be watermarking my photos?

9 years 7 months ago #401969 by StephanieG
I'm starting to get into photography more and right now it's just a hobby but I'm wondering if I should be watermarking my photos. I'm posting them on view bug and entering some of the contests so I'm thinking I should be watermarking to protect them but I just don't know. Just looking for other opinions/advice. 

Thanks in advance!


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9 years 7 months ago #401971 by ShutterPal
Yes, but do it so for brand recognition vs protection.  If someone wants your photo bad enough, they'll get it.  So upload low resolution photos online to protect. 


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9 years 7 months ago #401989 by KenMan
:agree:     watermarking is best for brand recognition these days and less important for theft.  People can clone over or use the heal brush in Photoshop to remove your watermark.


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9 years 7 months ago - 9 years 7 months ago #402008 by garyrhook

StephanieG wrote: I'm starting to get into photography more and right now it's just a hobby but I'm wondering if I should be watermarking my photos. I'm posting them on view bug and entering some of the contests so I'm thinking I should be watermarking to protect them but I just don't know.


It's time to do a lot more research than asking a single question here on PT. There is lots of information out there, easily found via a search. There are lots of opinions and advice out there; seek it out.

That said, the only truism is this: you put a photo online, you lose control of it. It's just like a secret.

So what do you want to accomplish? Notoreity? Then watermark, but do so with the understanding that a determined artist can remove your mark. The question is whether anyone would want to.

Also, keep your posted images small (on FB and elsewhere) and low quality. On VB you need something reasonably sized to show it off. All in all, there's risk, and only you can evaluate how much risk you can tolerate. But not having a watermark? For anything of any quality, I can't imagine not using one.


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9 years 7 months ago #402021 by Kayce
Gary is correct, the internet is a black hole, what you post, expect little to no safety for it. 


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9 years 7 months ago #402086 by Cory J
Speaking of watermarks, does it make a difference between left and right bottom?


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9 years 7 months ago #402114 by Joves
Tradition is usually on the right. Or it is the only place I have seen them.


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9 years 7 months ago #402169 by garyrhook

Cory J wrote: Speaking of watermarks, does it make a difference between left and right bottom?


Wherever you want, although lower right seems to be most common. It could depend upon the design of the watermark, too.


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9 years 7 months ago #402243 by Tanner Bello
 Where ever you want it, I personally will place mine when I do use one in the lower right corner. 


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9 years 7 months ago #402393 by Eric A
I do when I'm giving them to clients or uploading online. 

My Camera Bag:

Canon 7D | 50mm f/1.2 | 17-40mm f/4 | 70-200mm f/2.8 | 320EX | 580EXII

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9 years 7 months ago #402400 by ubookoo
Completely agree with all the comments and especially that watermarking is more for brand recognition. Which makes me wonder why I don't see a website URL or phone number as a part of the watermark? Usually see just the photographer name or studio name.


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9 years 7 months ago #402692 by Joves

ubookoo wrote: Which makes me wonder why I don't see a website URL or phone number as a part of the watermark?


I would do that if I had places that I had arranged to display them, such as doctors offices, restaurants, ect. But then I would also have business cards at their registers, or check in/out counters. It really depends on how you are displaying them, and where. 


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9 years 7 months ago #402718 by Prago
Eh, the only time I watermark a photo is for brand recognition

SWM into chainsaws and hockey masks seeks like-minded SWF. No weirdos, please
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