Why would you copyright images ?

[Darkninja462]

Why is there a need to copyright imagines ? surely you can just crop out a watermark ?

Or is there any other way of protecting images ?

What methods do people use ?

Ninja

[fletch]

You don't copyright images. Its a right you have automatically as the creator of the image from the moment you click the shutter.

I presume you mean "Why do you watermark images?"

There are lots of reason to watermark your images and lots of reasons not to. It can be a deterent to copying the image but can also make the images unappealing to look at and can be easily removed. Its personal choice.

You can also protect your images from being used without your consent by only positing smaller sizes and various other methods.

The best and most effective is obviouly to lock them in a box and stick them under your bed. Nobody can steal them there!

[Darkninja462]

Sorry for the confusion it was the watermarks I was commenting on, I've seen people do it around here and some that don't. One thing what do you mean "positing" or is that mean't to be "posting"

Ninja

[fletch]

Originally Posted by Darkninja462

do you mean "positing" or is that mean't to be "posting"

Ninja

Sorry, just a typo. I mean posting (as in having images online)

[Darkninja462]

No Problem, thank you for clearing up that point I don't normally upload the original "big" pictures only for posting on the forums but shall keep in consideration in the future

Thanks

Ninja

[Sime]

Incidentally, in the US (Not sure about anywhere else) but the © symbol isn't required anymore, it's assumed at creation... So that's handy for some where they've found work used without permission... Does anyone know if this applies elsewhere?

Sime

p.s. I watermark some of my stuff in photoshop with my logo, most of it I don't bother...

[sybren]

I post most of my photos under a Creative Commons license. That means that people are free to use it for non-commercial purposes and without editing the photo. That includes cropping my name off. Often people are lazy and just grab a copy of the photo you have online, and re-use it somewhere without bothering to credit you for the photo. By including my name by default, that scenario is no problem.