"Signing" photographs

[MissDelta]

I'm not new to photography, I've always loved taking pictures. But I'm very new to taking it seriously and learning techniques.

I spend lots of time looking at other people's pictures and I've noticed tons of pictures containing the photographer's "signature".

My questions: When should you do it, why should you do it and how do you do it?

Thanks!

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by MissDelta

I'm not new to photography, I've always loved taking pictures. But I'm very new to taking it seriously and learning techniques.

I spend lots of time looking at other people's pictures and I've noticed tons of pictures containing the photographer's "signature".

My questions: When should you do it, why should you do it and how do you do it?

Thanks!

when: many people do it on anything they upload. It is a personal thing.
why: some just as a mark of "i did this" pride, others believe it may help deter people from stealing & using their images
how: lots of ways...from simply adding text or graphics to more involved methods like layer masks or custom brushes. I use a custom brush in PS

[FrankLamont]

Do you mean a watermark, a 'watermark signature', or a 'real' signature (ie, the digital file therefore was probably scanned).

[dcclark]

Assuming you mean an actual signature -- I only do this on physical prints which I've matted (and/or framed) myself. It's a mark of pride for my work, and also something that makes the physical version a bit more special.

[Tony Canon]

Thanks for the Info