James Norwood Pratt has nothing on GeekGirl

[Geekgirl]

If you have photoshop, can't you make the symbols, then make it a transparent overlay? I think that's all a watermark is, so it should be possible to use anything you want as a watermark, including a logo, or the creative commons symbols.

[Salsero]

The © can be done as text using an ALT code. Copying the CC symbols would have to be done as some sort of image file making sizing more complicated and I'm not sure what words are required or if a link to the CC website is necessary like what the button on websites does. There may be some way to have a hot button within a photo, but that's going way beyond my skill level ... or interest level!

[MarshalN]

I think the primary problem with that is the CC mark can be a little ugly. I'm sure you can find a corner of your picture where you can go to photoshop and then overlay the CC mark on top of the picture. Doing that for every photo is way, way too time consuming.

[Pentox]

Even if you do to watermark it or copyright symbol it, do you think that's going to stop them? It sounds like they've been pulling images somewhat regardless of rights warnings.

[Geekgirl]

A watermark makes it obvious that they have gotten the image from somewhere else. It makes people far less likely to use it for commercial purposes. Although I still see copyrighted stuff on people's blogs or personal pages all the time. It doesn't stop everyone, but it does stop some people. Plus it makes it VERY hard for the image-thieves to claim ignorance/innocence.

[MarshalN]

Given how small the images are on their site, a watermark won't matter.

I think the bigger problem is that the images are stored on their own server, so you really have no way to know where it came from.

[Space Samurai]

I think the bigger problem is that the images are stored on their own server, so you really have no way to know where it came from.

This is one of the reasons I keep higher res originals.

For me water marks are kind of like spitting on your french fries so your class mates wont eat them when your back is turned. I don't like water marks, and I would rather someone get away with taking one of my photos then cluttering up my site with water marks.

Of course if I catch someone taking my photos, I take appropriate action.

[Pentox]

For me water marks are kind of like spitting on your french fries so your class mates wont eat them when your back is turned.

I take it you don't like the taste of spit coated french fries

[Geekgirl]

I think the bigger problem is that the images are stored on their own server, so you really have no way to know where it came from.

This is one of the reasons I keep higher res originals.

Better yet, shoot in RAW.

[MarshalN]

But haven't you noticed? TChing reduces the image size. So even if your original is super high res, by the time they show up on their website there's no way you can see the watermark.

[Phyll]

I'm in complete agreement that TChing needs to resolve the copyright issues immediately. I'm not saying just because they are nice people -- but they are -- they can use copyrighted images illegally.

A very quick way to deter TChing (and other establishments) from using your FLICKR images in the future is to set your FLICKR account so that the images can't be saved by right clicking and "Save Picture As" by the public. T Ching relies mostly on images in the FLICKR commons for its use. And there are those FLICKR accounts with images that only return blank jpg files (no pic) when viewers try to save them into the hard drive.

[Chip]

BTW, this is a bit like a TeaChat reunion, Marshaln and Phyll! It is good to see you Phyll after a prolonged absence!

Getting a little intense out in the general forum. I don't know if the general membership is ready for a call for a group hug?

I am anxious to see what Tching will post next week, as promised.

[Salsero]

BTW, this is a bit like a TeaChat reunion, Marshaln and Phyll! It is good to see you Phyll after a prolonged absence!

+ 1

and then CORAX shows up in the general forum!

[Chip]

I particularly found the cyber psychoanalysis of today's TChing post ... helpful.

[Pentox]

Out of curiosity, has anyone ever ordered from t-ching?