Logo On Photos?

[Omnomgreen]

Hi there everyone. I have a question:
Should I be putting a watermark/logo on my photos?
Cause I find that they ruin the photo, but yet, I do not want anyone stealing my pictures! :/

Advice anyone?

Thanks so much!

[CaraJill Smith]

I didn't like the idea of putting them on at first either, but there has been a photo stealing incident on here that made me reconsider. I agree that it kind of takes away from the photo. *shrugs*

[Omnomgreen]

@carajill Hmm, I cannot decide! XD

[The Steve From 2010]

Someone can always crop it out anyway, unless you put it somewhere intrusive in the photo - thus ruining the photo. If you only upload images pre-shrunk to 550px on the longest edge, which is what the site resizes them to anyway for the default view, then they're pretty useless for any commercial purpose should someone come along and "steal" one :)

[Omnomgreen]

@eyebrows Haha thank you :) I agree, it ruins the photo too much to add it.

[Angela]

I do. But I have had someone taking credit for my pictures and it has happened to friends. It doesn't look pretty but I do it.

[♥ brenda ♥]

I like my mark. lol mine is adjustable to the color of the photo. I also reduce the opacity so it is not too obvious. check out my photos if you like.

[Genevieve Foreman]

Not that I can imagine people wanting to steal mine but I've just started watermarking mine, yes it could be cropped out but at least it's helping me feel a little more secure about my photos. I'm hoping it will at least deter the casual thief who can't be bothered editing stuff!

[Spaceman]

Someone stole my photo a couple days ago,and used it here.I was shocked.But things are okay ,that person is dead now. Anyways,NO.

Unless you want to make it because it`s your style or something.But if you`re affraid of lame-ass thieves,DON`T DO IT BECAUSE OF THEM.
They can steal them and edit/photoshop out the watermark anyways.
I keep seeing people getting "scared" on this website,in the last couple days,and a lot want to make watermarks now. NOT ME. I`m expressing myself through my photos here FREELY and not a single pixel from any of my photos will ever be changed because of the lame scum who steal.

[Omnomgreen]

@spaceman Good point :)

[Heidi Gurov]

I like watermarking... because then if someone steals the photo and crops it out, it becomes an even worse criminal offense because they purposely removed identifying information. When you inform thieves of this, they are very quick to stop using your photos, in my experiences (ebay shops, people trying to pass off a car featured in a magazine as their own, etc)... and it's free advertisement, LOL.

[Barry Mikhal]

Easy answer depending on this answer.

Do you sell your photos?

Personally I hate the water mark but I understand why certain pros would do it.

[Brandy]

I watermark mine, I don't think it ruins my photo for displaying online at all. I don't print them that way. I also watermark client photos for internet use. They post the watermarked photos online and people know I took them, therefore bringing me more business. I look at as advertising....

[jinx (@jinximages)]

I watermark. It can be done subtly and elegantly, if one so wishes.

Some weirdo wrote a tutorial on how to do it easily if you have Photoshop: http://365project.org/discuss/tips-n-tricks/2798/create-a-custom-brush-for-watermarks

[Spaceman]

@jinximages
That weirdo has no clue about photography,he only confuses people. He should be banned from this website! .... :)

[jinx (@jinximages)]

@spaceman I'll get the pitchforks! ;)

[Lani Pratt-Matsen]

just size 'em down to 72dpi and 550 px on the longest side and you should be golden. 72 dpi is only good for web use, not print and 550px is pretty small. :)

[Jen Sides (foursides)]

I didn't even think about watermarking my 365 photos....something to really think about!