THE DREADED WATERMARK - WHY WE DO IT
I watermark to discourage theft.
I don't call it screen grabbing, theft is what it is unless I have supplied them the image file or given you permission to take a copy.
I have absolutely no idea why people think they can just take an image and even less of an idea why photographers would allow it - but I would say that as I am 100% reliant on income from image sales to fund my '3 meals a day and a roof over my head' habit!
My watermark is big and ugly for two reasons :
1) To prevent newspapers and other media organisations nicking them as a number of them are encouraged by their superiors to steal images from social media knowing most images like this will be from a hobbyist who will shrug their shoulders and say 'well, its all good publicity for the club' or, more likely, never find out the image has been used.
Hence why a watermark on the edge is not for me, I effectively 'spoil' my work.
2) To discourage those in the photograph from simply stealing (screen grabbing, screen shotting) the image instead of purchasing a legal copy for as low as £2-£3 and obtaining a lifelong memory for less than the cost of a coffee from a tax avoiding multi-billion pound enterprise. Do I sound harsh?
I have absolutely no issue with those who choose to spend their money elsewhere, we all have choices to make as to where we want to spend our hard earned money.
That said, I have no sympathy for anyone who falls foul of copyright law because they chose to copy an image rather than spend the money to purchase a copy from the photographer or agency involved.
All I ask is that if you want to use my images or obtain a copy, you support my small business by purchasing.
I have one channel of income and that is my photography, I will ALWAYS exercise the right to protect it as best I can.
In an ideal world I would be able to post my work in its full glory and without the need to cover the image in any way, shape or form to prevent mis-use but, unfortunately, we do not live in an ideal world and I have take the approach of protecting my images this way.
To all those who support my business, I am truly grateful and I hope the images you purchased will give you something to look back and take pleasure from in years to come as that is essentially what they are there for.
To those who feel that simply stealing the images, watermark and all, I ask you why you feel this is an acceptable practice and why you feel that my investment in time, equipment, studying, travelling and supporting the smaller events should all be without reward?
I come from a grassroots football background and I know that most players will want something to look back on when the legs will no longer allow you to play, all I ask is that you don't abuse those who are trying to provide that service for you and generations to come.
I don't call it screen grabbing, theft is what it is unless I have supplied them the image file or given you permission to take a copy.
I have absolutely no idea why people think they can just take an image and even less of an idea why photographers would allow it - but I would say that as I am 100% reliant on income from image sales to fund my '3 meals a day and a roof over my head' habit!
My watermark is big and ugly for two reasons :
1) To prevent newspapers and other media organisations nicking them as a number of them are encouraged by their superiors to steal images from social media knowing most images like this will be from a hobbyist who will shrug their shoulders and say 'well, its all good publicity for the club' or, more likely, never find out the image has been used.
Hence why a watermark on the edge is not for me, I effectively 'spoil' my work.
2) To discourage those in the photograph from simply stealing (screen grabbing, screen shotting) the image instead of purchasing a legal copy for as low as £2-£3 and obtaining a lifelong memory for less than the cost of a coffee from a tax avoiding multi-billion pound enterprise. Do I sound harsh?
I have absolutely no issue with those who choose to spend their money elsewhere, we all have choices to make as to where we want to spend our hard earned money.
That said, I have no sympathy for anyone who falls foul of copyright law because they chose to copy an image rather than spend the money to purchase a copy from the photographer or agency involved.
All I ask is that if you want to use my images or obtain a copy, you support my small business by purchasing.
I have one channel of income and that is my photography, I will ALWAYS exercise the right to protect it as best I can.
In an ideal world I would be able to post my work in its full glory and without the need to cover the image in any way, shape or form to prevent mis-use but, unfortunately, we do not live in an ideal world and I have take the approach of protecting my images this way.
To all those who support my business, I am truly grateful and I hope the images you purchased will give you something to look back and take pleasure from in years to come as that is essentially what they are there for.
To those who feel that simply stealing the images, watermark and all, I ask you why you feel this is an acceptable practice and why you feel that my investment in time, equipment, studying, travelling and supporting the smaller events should all be without reward?
I come from a grassroots football background and I know that most players will want something to look back on when the legs will no longer allow you to play, all I ask is that you don't abuse those who are trying to provide that service for you and generations to come.
