Discussion
I'm using Aperture (v1) and attempted for the first time yesterday to attach a watermark to some photos (which may or may not get published). I didn't get a great result (although it did alright for what I wanted at the time), because there was a grey square background behind each letter.
What program do you use to create one? Just want simple text across the photo that is semi opaque with no background.
Thanks
What program do you use to create one? Just want simple text across the photo that is semi opaque with no background.
Thanks
I would create a new image with a transparent background and draw or write whatever you want your watermark to be in that. Do it a mega resolution and you can then save it at multiple different sizes. Then when you want to use it: select all, copy and paste as a semi-opaque layer on the photo. I think any program that can work with layers would do this.
Edited by SamHH on Monday 26th January 23:50
dont bother, I've removed numerous watermarks for friends when they didnt want to pay 80000 quid for the reprint of their childs portrait of which they had paid for the images but they came heavily watermarked. If you must watermark an image I recommend you
1.) shoot raw, you cannot fake a raw image. This is the same as owning the negative from film
2.) embed information in exif data, yes it can be removed/edited along the way but its a good start
3.) digitally sign an image
1.) shoot raw, you cannot fake a raw image. This is the same as owning the negative from film
2.) embed information in exif data, yes it can be removed/edited along the way but its a good start
3.) digitally sign an image
I don't own photoshop, so can't make it with that (although curiously Aperture suggests making a photoshop file - rivals?). In the end I used powerpoint to maketeh text and angle and saved it as a picture, then changed file type to .psd. Brought it into Aperture but it put the grey squares behind the words - opacity was adjustable in Aperture.
How would you go about doing what you recommend..? I shoot RAW, but have never dealt with 2) & 3).
stigmundfreud said:
If you must watermark an image I recommend you
1.) shoot raw, you cannot fake a raw image. This is the same as owning the negative from film
2.) embed information in exif data, yes it can be removed/edited along the way but its a good start
3.) digitally sign an image
The only reason I wanted to watermark the photos was that I emailed the chap in question some very low res versions to keep inbox space down and if they were to use my photos I would prefer to send him high res versions. By watermarking the photos, I hoped that I would be given the chance to send the better quality images should they want to use them. 1.) shoot raw, you cannot fake a raw image. This is the same as owning the negative from film
2.) embed information in exif data, yes it can be removed/edited along the way but its a good start
3.) digitally sign an image
How would you go about doing what you recommend..? I shoot RAW, but have never dealt with 2) & 3).
Edited by Buffalo on Tuesday 27th January 00:26
what camera do you use? Any manufacturer should have tools to enable the default exif parameters for copyright/owner/etc - I shoot canon and all my images have this embedded into the exif (it is possible to remove/alter exif info with hacks)
As for 3 that requires you buy a certificate and have tools that can embed it into the work. Tbh no way is 100% proof as anyone can press print screen and get the image as it appears on screen. I see why you want to send a b
dised shot over email to force them to use the better image but as the photographer you own the rights full stop. If they use your image in a way that wasn't agreed to/paid for (ie they edit it, use the one you email etc) the ball is 100% in your court.
As for 3 that requires you buy a certificate and have tools that can embed it into the work. Tbh no way is 100% proof as anyone can press print screen and get the image as it appears on screen. I see why you want to send a b
dised shot over email to force them to use the better image but as the photographer you own the rights full stop. If they use your image in a way that wasn't agreed to/paid for (ie they edit it, use the one you email etc) the ball is 100% in your court.stigmundfreud said:
what camera do you use? Any manufacturer should have tools to enable the default exif parameters for copyright/owner/etc - I shoot canon and all my images have this embedded into the exif (it is possible to remove/alter exif info with hacks)
As for 3 that requires you buy a certificate and have tools that can embed it into the work. Tbh no way is 100% proof as anyone can press print screen and get the image as it appears on screen. I see why you want to send a bdised shot over email to force them to use the better image but as the photographer you own the rights full stop. If they use your image in a way that wasn't agreed to/paid for (ie they edit it, use the one you email etc) the ball is 100% in your court.
Nikon D80 but I've never sent any photos for any envisaged commerical use. Really I stand to gain nothing from this other than i wanted to help someone out and i got some good shots that they could use. The easiest way to for them to get an idea of the shots i had was to do what i did - the watermark was an afterthought just so he wouldn't just send on the low-res ones (I have "some" pride! As for 3 that requires you buy a certificate and have tools that can embed it into the work. Tbh no way is 100% proof as anyone can press print screen and get the image as it appears on screen. I see why you want to send a b
dised shot over email to force them to use the better image but as the photographer you own the rights full stop. If they use your image in a way that wasn't agreed to/paid for (ie they edit it, use the one you email etc) the ball is 100% in your court.
).But i noted that Aperture had an option to attach EXIF data to the outputs, i didn't know whether it was a good idea or not to attach it? (didn't know if it's releveance really). I noticed somthing else in Aperture also, regarding a copyright note that you could add (would this attach itself to EXIF?).
Just some basic dos/don'ts when it came to sending on a photo for someone else to use would be useful - what to attach/display/etc and how/why. You wouldn't believe how little i know about all of this.
I use a free program called Mark-it Lite
Simple but effective. For your watermark you can choose to use text or embed another image on top, or both. Size, position and angle can be adjusted to suit.
It will also batch process images.
The full version is only $5 to buy (which I didn't know until now)
HTH
Scott
Simple but effective. For your watermark you can choose to use text or embed another image on top, or both. Size, position and angle can be adjusted to suit.
It will also batch process images.
The full version is only $5 to buy (which I didn't know until now)
HTH
Scott
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