Copyrighting of photos ... do you?

[Matthias099]

I know we had this subject quite some time ago, I think its been over a year. But lately (at least that's my impression) I see more and more posts of photos that have been 'branded' with the copyright.

Is this really necessary? Or is this more of a thing for pro photogs?
I just wonder, because none of mine are . . . should I start doing it?

[i speak in math]

Originally Posted by Matthias099

I know we had this subject quite some time ago, I think its been over a year. But lately (at least that's my impression) I see more and more posts of photos that have been 'branded' with the copyright.

Is this really necessary? Or is this more of a thing for pro photogs?
I just wonder, because none of mine are . . . should I start doing it?

Just a quick correction: you own the copyright as soon as you take the picture. Placing a logo or name over the image is watermarking.

I only watermark images that I don't want clients to steal. For instance, if I put a low res (suitable for a 4x6) up for them to proof, I don't want them to just screen shot it and print it.

For my personal work, just shooting for fun, I don't.

[dlambert]

There's also the matter of inserting copyright info in the metadata for the photo. I presume you're talking about watermarking, though. FWIW, I watermark anything I put on facebook, and the stuff I put out on my gallery. I've been leaving it off my photos on 500px and the ones I feature on my blog, though.

[Matthias099]

Okay, I guess I got the terms mixed up a bit. So we are talking about watermarking photos....

Do you think its necessary though?

[Hill Country Hack]

I include copyright in metadata and watermark the photos I post because maybe one day I may actually take a decent picture.

If someone wants the image bad enough, they can get rid of the watermark.

[NathanFranke]

I used to not watermark my stuff. Then another photog swiped several of my images and used them on her site. Now I watermark them.

[Matthias099]

Originally Posted by NathanFranke

I used to not watermark my stuff. Then another photog swiped several of my images and used them on her site. Now I watermark them.

Wow. Did you get credit at least for them in the end?

Of course that brings up another question: What's the best way of watermarking them? Keep in mind I don't have Photoshop etc. I use PaintShopPro X3 Ultimate for my pp.

What should be on the watermark? Just your name/company or more?
Sorry for all the questions but so far I haven't really thought about this.

[Jim Bryant]

I normally copyright mine, but not on this forum as I trust everyone not to steal. However, everything I put up on Photoshelter or exposure manager is not only copyrighted, watermarked, but eventually sent to copyright office.

[NathanFranke]

Originally Posted by Matthias099

Wow. Did you get credit at least for them in the end?

I sent her some emails, calmly yet firmly requesting that she remove the images. She sent some nasty emails back, but eventually took the images down. The kicker is that she was a close personal friend of the bride (I'm the bride's brother-in-law). The bride knew who had taken the photo and who hadn't, so the bride lost one of her bffs over this stupidity.

I'm going to vent here, because it's bothered me and DPS is cheaper than therapy.

Here's my original email:
Hi [photog's name],

It has come to my attention that [her brand's] facebook album, "Weddings" contains three images with your watermark that were taken by me at the [groom's name] wedding. These images are registered with the US Copyright Agency, and as I am sure you are aware, your posting them on facebook violates US copyright law.

Please remove the images within 24 hours.

Nathan Franke
[email sig]

Her first response:
Nathan I was there as well there are some things that we both have and I think a little more professional courtesy could be used on your part.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Then I sent her a screenshot of the images from facebook. The images in question were from outside the reception hall, the only people present were me, the bride, the groom, and one of the bridesmaids serving as VAL (voice-activated lightstand). Infringey-photog was inside shooting the guests (presumably--I never saw her images).

Her response to that:
So your the wedding police telling me where I was and was not, that's perfect sense, who are you to keep tabs on me, I am highly offended you would question my integrity especially since I consider [bride] as part of family. You where never ok with me taking pictures as well

I invited her to be a backup. I sent her a shot list and everything. She said she'd be at the rehearsal dinner but failed to show, she then didn't bring her camera to the ceremony (she left it in her car--one of the bridesmaids told her to get it at my behest).

After that email, I guess she started doing research and found out what the fines were for infringing a copywrited (copywritten?) image and adding one's own logo to it. That legal action, combined with the fact that her fiance is in the States illegally, I guess convinced her not to use my images for her advertising. Still--losing a lifelong friend over something so stupid...I just don't understand what would posess a person to do that.

Why would you, as a photographer, want to advertise YOUR OWN business with someone else's images?

/rant, vent, threadjacking.

Thanks, I feel better now.

[TNH]

Originally Posted by Matthias099

Okay, I guess I got the terms mixed up a bit. So we are talking about watermarking photos....

Do you think its necessary though?

I asked this same question recently in a thread. You can read it here. A lot of people gave me some really good advice on this topic.

I'm not a professional, but I like to watermark my photos, just in case. You never know what could happen, and I like to have my name on my photos.
Of course, it doesn't stop anyone from stealing them. They can always clone out the watermark if they wanted to, but at least they will know that the picture belongs to someone, with a name on it.

Some people put their whole name or business on their watermark, but I just put my initials (Like my username) and the year.