To wartermark or not to watermark?

[BalloonzForU]

Another thread here has me thinking about a few things. I notice that many users here put a visible watermark on their images. I was wondering how many use an embeded digital watermark, visible watermark, both or none and why if you care to share. I've made the poll private so feel free to take part in the poll even if you do not want anyone to know your answer. Also feel free to comment on what you do or the compay you use if you do embeded and/or track use of your images.

I've just recently started using Digimark and really love it!! It actually came with my PaintShop Pro but was looking to use them before I even knew this.

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

we normally try to get some sort of watermark on the pictures if posting them on here. if i'm sharing images between friends i know who i can trust and who i can't so i feel pretty safe with that. plus i don't have anything killer....yet...

 

[Kristi23]

I need to start using one. I have one that I used for the portraits I did of my daughter when I saw someone take them and use them without my permission. I haven't used one on gecko pics yet.

 

[PacHerp]

I use visual watermarks on my images and encourage others to do the same when posting on a public forum. You never know who might try and snatch up your photo you worked so hard to capture and call it their own! I've had it happen on more than one occasion, and would just rather not deal with all that hassle.

great poll idea, Fe!

 

[ajveachster]

If somebody does share a picture I took it will be easy for them to see where it originated from. I'm sure it will come in handy as well once we get the business end of things rolling.

 

[Chewbecca]

Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.
I have the ability to add a copyright onto the pic on my camera, but I have yet to utilize that feature.:main_laugh:
Anyway, I will be starting it shortly since I just started up a website, so I should be putting my logo on my images. Or at least the copyright and date.
It doesn't take much to erase or clone out a watermark, though, so someone intent on REALLY stealing a pic can do it anyway.
But, yeah, I know, it doesn't mean we have to just let them.:main_no:

 

[Mel&Keith]

I use visual watermarks most of the time.

Some people who "borrow" pictures don't think that they're doing anything wrong. Say Bob buys a gecko from me and uses the photo from our website to show it off on another forum. A member there uses it on their care sheet website because they know that Bob doesn't mind when people use his photos. Unfortunately, a scammer steals my photo from the care sheet website and uses it in his classified ads to rip people off.

Many people do not realize that every photograph is automatically copyrighted. I think visual watermarks can help keep photos from being "innocently" passed around. Sure, a rip off artist can still take your photo and edit out the watermark but hopefully it will be a deterrent.


I really like the idea of embedded watermarks but don't really know much about how they work.