Watermarks.. Are they really needed?

I'm constantly putting an ugly watermark on all of my pictures, but strictly in fear of my photos being poached. I've tried reading up on copyright rules etc., but I keep reading contradicting statements... Even if copyright laws "protect" my pictures, who's to say they don't poach them anyway? Perhaps I should take the time to make a more "professional" looking watermark?

What are your opinions?

I noticed that even "cheap" import sources like www.meritline.com use watermarks on their thumbnail photos. That said, it depends on how much you want to protect your "intellectual property". Yes, you do have an implied copyright as soon as you press the shutter release.
If posting on a web site, a low resolution version is sufficient but someone could copy that and use it on a web site. Unless you have the resources of a Getty, tracking it could be tough.
I less intrusive WM could be your answer.

Most images that get posted are pretty low resolution. Most watermarks can be removed pretty effectively with a crop or a clone-over. Most of my photos are pretty well destroyed by my post production as well...

I haven't worried about this myself.

Copyright protects you only after the fact, it doesn't shield your images unless you show it. And, it needs to be registered to naximize your protection. A mark may discourage most bent on poaching, and I use them.

chasrich wrote: Most images that get posted are pretty low resolution. Most watermarks can be removed pretty effectively with a crop or a clone-over. Most of my photos are pretty well destroyed by my post production as well...

I haven't worried about this myself.

I will post an image under 200kb jpg where the full image would be about 7mb,for landscapes
my images are about 20mb on the low end.A really large stitched image over 50mb.

chasrich wrote: Most images that get posted are pretty low resolution. Most watermarks can be removed pretty effectively with a crop or a clone-over. Most of my photos are pretty well destroyed by my post production as well...

I haven't worried about this myself.

this is reality of how it is. I would just stick with low resolution and protect your work online.

LOL I don't think my work is good enough yet. Actually I would be flatter if someone used my photos for something.

Personally I don't watermark mine, I only upload low res photos

Well as has been stated if someone wants your photo they will take it. So here is my list of things to do to try and stop it.
1. Low res as has been said. Granted they can up sample it but then it ruins the photo when enlarging too much.
2. If you have the option disable the right clicking function. This will stop about 90+% of people but, there are some who know how to circumvent it.
3. You can check your photo using Tineye. It will search the web for copies of your images, while not 100% it is pretty good at it. www.tineye.com/ It is free which is always good.
4. Use an Invisible Watermark yes they make them. Some programs even allow you to activate it on somebody elses site. You can make you water mark a message like, This photo stolen from Me.photo.com. Here is a shareware for Invisible WMs www.adptools.com/ I havent used it so I dont know how good it is. The best programs cost but are worth it.

On Copyrights, you have a Copyright the moment the photo is taken. But here is the rub while you have it, if you see your photo stolen, you must apply for and get a Copyright with in 30 days of discovery for it to have full protection. Copyrights are fairly inexpensive and the beauty of one for photos is you can batch Copyright them, so many are covered under the same right. Here is the Copyright Offices site www.copyright.gov/ Hope this helps.

Joves wrote: Well as has been stated if someone wants your photo they will take it. So here is my list of things to do to try and stop it.
1. Low res as has been said. Granted they can up sample it but then it ruins the photo when enlarging too much.
2. If you have the option disable the right clicking function. This will stop about 90+% of people but, there are some who know how to circumvent it.
3. You can check your photo using Tineye. It will search the web for copies of your images, while not 100% it is pretty good at it. www.tineye.com/ It is free which is always good.
4. Use an Invisible Watermark yes they make them. Some programs even allow you to activate it on somebody elses site. You can make you water mark a message like, This photo stolen from Me.photo.com. Here is a shareware for Invisible WMs www.adptools.com/ I havent used it so I dont know how good it is. The best programs cost but are worth it.

On Copyrights, you have a Copyright the moment the photo is taken. But here is the rub while you have it, if you see your photo stolen, you must apply for and get a Copyright with in 30 days of discovery for it to have full protection. Copyrights are fairly inexpensive and the beauty of one for photos is you can batch Copyright them, so many are covered under the same right. Here is the Copyright Offices site www.copyright.gov/ Hope this helps.

Joves wrote: Well as has been stated if someone wants your photo they will take it. So here is my list of things to do to try and stop it.
1. Low res as has been said. Granted they can up sample it but then it ruins the photo when enlarging too much.
2. If you have the option disable the right clicking function. This will stop about 90+% of people but, there are some who know how to circumvent it.
3. You can check your photo using Tineye. It will search the web for copies of your images, while not 100% it is pretty good at it. www.tineye.com/ It is free which is always good.
4. Use an Invisible Watermark yes they make them. Some programs even allow you to activate it on somebody elses site. You can make you water mark a message like, This photo stolen from Me.photo.com. Here is a shareware for Invisible WMs www.adptools.com/ I havent used it so I dont know how good it is. The best programs cost but are worth it.

On Copyrights, you have a Copyright the moment the photo is taken. But here is the rub while you have it, if you see your photo stolen, you must apply for and get a Copyright with in 30 days of discovery for it to have full protection. Copyrights are fairly inexpensive and the beauty of one for photos is you can batch Copyright them, so many are covered under the same right. Here is the Copyright Offices site www.copyright.gov/ Hope this helps.

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks! As for Tineye, I was actually looking for something like this the other day! Cheers !

Thanks to everyone else as well !

Just to make the pont again, people assume that, if something is published in some venue, it is the there for the taking. I was just notified that a member of PT (!!!) has downloaded one of my photos without asking, or, perhaps, friending. I hope that he simply liked the image, and that, after my contact, he responds to me Here, at least, I have some way of reaching out to him, but the obtrusive Copyright mark may serve its purpose.

John Landolfi wrote: Just to make the pont again, people assume that, if something is published in some venue, it is the there for the taking. I was just notified that a member of PT (!!!) has downloaded one of my photos without asking, or, perhaps, friending. I hope that he simply liked the image, and that, after my contact, he responds to me Here, at least, I have some way of reaching out to him, but the obtrusive Copyright mark may serve its purpose.

A few months ago I saw photos can be download from the album. Personally, I do not like that idea. It's one thing to Right Click, Save as ...to save the photo. But it's a whole different story when a website has a Download button to save a photo (which the photographer, may not want people to simply "download" the image)

crystal wrote:

John Landolfi wrote: Just to make the pont again, people assume that, if something is published in some venue, it is the there for the taking. I was just notified that a member of PT (!!!) has downloaded one of my photos without asking, or, perhaps, friending. I hope that he simply liked the image, and that, after my contact, he responds to me Here, at least, I have some way of reaching out to him, but the obtrusive Copyright mark may serve its purpose.

A few months ago I saw photos can be download from the album. Personally, I do not like that idea. It's one thing to Right Click, Save as ...to save the photo. But it's a whole different story when a website has a Download button to save a photo (which the photographer, may not want people to simply "download" the image)

Its on the facebook photos Crystal as I am sure you already know, and many other sites offer a download button too, personally I watermark my images mostly with my website address as a way of advertising, the majority of my pro work has already been paid for by a client and I cant understand why anyone would steal a picture of a complete stranger !!! or somebody elses wedding, I try not to worry to much and take the view that its a compliment to my skills.

crystal wrote:

John Landolfi wrote: Just to make the pont again, people assume that, if something is published in some venue, it is the there for the taking. I was just notified that a member of PT (!!!) has downloaded one of my photos without asking, or, perhaps, friending. I hope that he simply liked the image, and that, after my contact, he responds to me Here, at least, I have some way of reaching out to him, but the obtrusive Copyright mark may serve its purpose.

A few months ago I saw photos can be download from the album. Personally, I do not like that idea. It's one thing to Right Click, Save as ...to save the photo. But it's a whole different story when a website has a Download button to save a photo (which the photographer, may not want people to simply "download" the image)

At least, one should be asked.