Copyright questions

LayzrHed · 09-07-2006, 07:27 AM

Sometimes I offer to email photos I've taken of a subject to them, or I arrange a little "photoshoot" with someone I've met and email them the photos. Given the volume and quality of photos some of you guys post here (and I mean that generically - there must be some female contibuters, right?), I'm sure many people have thought about their copyright. As always I'd be most grateful for any answers anyone can give to these questions.

Q1a) I think I can guess the answer to this but... Is it possible to modify jpegs such that they can't be edited?

Q1b) What methods do people use to add watermarks to images... do you add them as layers, pasted characters, or can they be embedded in the files?

Q1c) Is it possible to embed watermarks "dynamically" such that even if the image is cropped the watermark is still visible?

Q1d) If your sharing photos online or emailing them to people, what strategies do you guys use to protect your copyright, e.g. do you just send out reduced size images, or just use watermarks etc?

Q2) I understand that images can be embedded in pdf files (of course you'd need payware Adobe Acrobat) and that the author can set permissions on the content, such as printing and copy. Has anyone used pdf to share their images?

Q3) Has anyone here had problems where they've emailed a subject their photos and that person used it without giving you any credit; if so what did you do about it?

LayZrHed

Nee_Lok · 09-07-2006, 03:04 PM

It's the internet dude.

You post 'em and you never know. Unless your a pro and your out to make $$ on your shots, then just cast your worries to cyberspace and forget about it.
Its a game bro...

archman · 09-07-2006, 05:36 PM

1a. Basically, no. But then I think you already knew that.

1b. Personally, I add mine as a layer.

1c. Not that I'm aware of. But see the answer to question 2.

1d. You still technically hold the copyright to the photo. Enforcing it would be another story. Watermark your photos, however that can usually be edited out. However, if I'm sending a photo of somebody to that person (at least from a candid setting) I'm figuring they'll only use it for themselves. If it's a professional model shoot, I'll reduce the image size and set up something akin to a proof sheet. Any shots given at full size would need to include my watermark, and that's specifically stated in my model release.

I once shot a man proposing to a woman, and sent them the photos. I really don't care what they do with them. Hopefully, they're now happily married and will occasionally view those photos and remember the goofy guy that took them (and damnit, I didn't even get invited to the wedding!)

2. Digimarc is a program that will digitally embed your watermark. I don't know if that answers your question, though.

3. Again, you own the copyright to the photo. And again, enforcing that copyright could be a long battle.

BigJeff · 09-07-2006, 07:20 PM

Take a look at this page:

http://www.digimarc.com/register/

That embeds watermarks into/onto photos through Photoshop. You can probabaly use it with other image editors too.

I've never used it or know much about it, I just know of its existence. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

09-07-2006, 07:27 AM	#1
LayzrHed Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Planet Earth Posts: 3 Picture Attachments: 0 Video Attachments: 0 Credits: 100 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Copyright questions Sometimes I offer to email photos I've taken of a subject to them, or I arrange a little "photoshoot" with someone I've met and email them the photos. Given the volume and quality of photos some of you guys post here (and I mean that generically - there must be some female contibuters, right?), I'm sure many people have thought about their copyright. As always I'd be most grateful for any answers anyone can give to these questions. Q1a) I think I can guess the answer to this but... Is it possible to modify jpegs such that they can't be edited? Q1b) What methods do people use to add watermarks to images... do you add them as layers, pasted characters, or can they be embedded in the files? Q1c) Is it possible to embed watermarks "dynamically" such that even if the image is cropped the watermark is still visible? Q1d) If your sharing photos online or emailing them to people, what strategies do you guys use to protect your copyright, e.g. do you just send out reduced size images, or just use watermarks etc? Q2) I understand that images can be embedded in pdf files (of course you'd need payware Adobe Acrobat) and that the author can set permissions on the content, such as printing and copy. Has anyone used pdf to share their images? Q3) Has anyone here had problems where they've emailed a subject their photos and that person used it without giving you any credit; if so what did you do about it? LayZrHed Last edited by LayzrHed; 09-10-2006 at 07:26 PM..

09-07-2006, 05:36 PM	#3
archman Banned Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 3,520 Picture Attachments: 192 Video Attachments: 0 Credits: 100 Thanks: 0 Thanked 24 Times in 20 Posts	1a. Basically, no. But then I think you already knew that. 1b. Personally, I add mine as a layer. 1c. Not that I'm aware of. But see the answer to question 2. 1d. You still technically hold the copyright to the photo. Enforcing it would be another story. Watermark your photos, however that can usually be edited out. However, if I'm sending a photo of somebody to that person (at least from a candid setting) I'm figuring they'll only use it for themselves. If it's a professional model shoot, I'll reduce the image size and set up something akin to a proof sheet. Any shots given at full size would need to include my watermark, and that's specifically stated in my model release. I once shot a man proposing to a woman, and sent them the photos. I really don't care what they do with them. Hopefully, they're now happily married and will occasionally view those photos and remember the goofy guy that took them (and damnit, I didn't even get invited to the wedding!) 2. Digimarc is a program that will digitally embed your watermark. I don't know if that answers your question, though. 3. Again, you own the copyright to the photo. And again, enforcing that copyright could be a long battle. Last edited by archman; 09-07-2006 at 08:51 PM..

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
canon s2 is questions	kodakkid	PHOTO-VIDEO-EDITING + TUTORIALS	6	07-09-2006 09:45 AM

09-07-2006, 03:04 PM	#2
Nee_Lok Candid Samurai Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: somewhere Else Posts: 2,138 Picture Attachments: 0 Video Attachments: 0 Credits: 100 Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts	It's the internet dude. You post 'em and you never know. Unless your a pro and your out to make $$ on your shots, then just cast your worries to cyberspace and forget about it. Its a game bro...

09-07-2006, 07:20 PM	#4
BigJeff candidOGRAPHY Sniper! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: US of A Posts: 679 Picture Attachments: 0 Video Attachments: 0 Credits: 104 Thanks: 2 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts	Take a look at this page: http://www.digimarc.com/register/ That embeds watermarks into/onto photos through Photoshop. You can probabaly use it with other image editors too. I've never used it or know much about it, I just know of its existence. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.