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Professional photographers depend on their intellectual property for their livelihood. Unfortunately, the open nature of the internet makes it easy for others to steal photos or use them without credit. Learning how to watermark photos is one way to stake your ownership claim on your work that you share on your photography website or anywhere online.
Choosing a photo watermark
A photo watermark is an image that's layered on top of a photograph before it's uploaded to a website. Watermarks are a sign of ownership and signify that you are the creator of the image or photograph.
Watermarks can be large or small and placed in prominent locations—for example, across the middle of a photo—or in more subtle places, such as the corner of an image. Depending on your preference, watermark designs might be rendered as text or a business logo.
Adding a photo watermark
Adding a watermark on photos is an extra step that requires using third-party editing software or applications. However, it's worth the time to include photo watermarks, as they offer multiple advantages in the areas of copyright and promotion.
Some benefits of watermarks include:
Branding opportunity. Watermarks can be an extension of your branding. For example, you might use your photography website name or logo as a watermark.
Ownership protection. On the internet, photos are frequently at risk of being reposted without a photographer's credit. However, people have more difficulty stealing photos with a watermark. Many photographers also put their name and copyright sign in their watermark. When a photo is used without credit or compensation, this can make it easier to take legal action.
Free promotion on social sharing. When you share photos on your social media channels, they can be reposted far and wide. In many cases, text that might accompany an original share is deleted or omitted. However, a photo with a watermark will include identifying information (such as your name, social media handle, or website) that links the image back to you.
Learning how to make a watermark
Image editing apps and software have the capability to create watermarks.
Here's a step-by-step guide to making a photo watermark in the application of your choice:
Within the program, create an image that represents your desired watermark. Generally, these watermarks will be a lighter color, such as white, cream, or gray, so they show up on a photograph.
Ensure the background of this image is transparent.
Save the image.
Open the photograph on which you want to add a watermark.
Add a layer to this image.
Place your desired watermark on this separate layer.
Adjust the transparency of the watermark to your liking.
Save the photo.
Watermarks placed close to the perimeter of a photo are easy to crop out. If you're concerned about your photos being reposted without credit, opt for putting a watermark across the center of your image so it can't be removed without ruining the appeal of the photo.