Copyright Photo Question...

[monkey44]

I just scanned a whole batch of images from slides. Would like to post some on my personal website, but have an issue with no copyright emblem embedded in these.

My website is protected, but as usual, somewhat easy to work around, or to screen shot. Do any of you tech gurus know of a batch process app that will embed a personal copyright symbol in all images in a file at one time if all are sized the same??

Too many to do individually, and it's not a simple (C), but a specific personal symbol, so very time consuming one at a time. I've tried a search, but am not truly tech proficient so maybe a tech guy can help.

[tatest]

Lightroom can do this on import or export, once you set up batch operations. Everything I scan or photograph with high resolution cameras goes through Lightroom on the way to the web, for downsizing if nothing else. Downsizing to typical web resolutions also discourages theft, but keep in mind terms of service anywhere you upload, e.g. Google claims usage rights to anything I put there, although I retain ownership.

[monkey44]

Thanks 1492 - I've always thought a visible (C) informs, and keeps honest people honest. A hidden WM somewhere in the body of the image can at least prove it's origin if necessary. Many people have no idea that images and text and anything artistic are NOT open to copy, or use, or transmit without at least giving ownership credit.

I've seen some of my work over the years, and sometimes (depends on use) will send take-down notice if I decide it's commercial use. I'm sure we miss a lot due to the nature of the web now.

[1492]

monkey44 wrote:


My website is protected, but as usual, somewhat easy to work around, or to screen shot. Do any of you tech gurus know of a batch process app that will embed a personal copyright symbol in all images in a file at one time if all are sized the same??

There are a few open source or freeware 'watermarking' apps available that can batch process copyright info on multiple photos at once. I don't have any to recommend as I haven't used them in years.

About every way one can devise to protect online photos can be defeated. For instance, watermarking can be removed fairly easily using Photoshop or similar software. It's akin to most any type of security? Make it difficult for most to defeat, realizing that it won't stop a determined thief.

My suggestion would be to combine a couple of methods mentioned, including watermarking. In addition, you may want to include a more stealth method such as 'steganography'. Basically, embedding your encrypted copyright info within the photo itself.

An example is this photo taken from my Samsung Note. Notice they look the same, however:



The original photo.



Same photo with encrypted embedded text "This photo copyright 2018 by Open Roads Forums. Contact OpenRoadsForumPhotos@gmail.com Call: 123-456-7890"

Of course, just an example. Though the particular free portable app SSuite Picsel Security above uses the original photo which only the photographer should possess as the key to decrypt the hidden copyright text. Useful if someone does remove your physical watermark? I actually saved a copy of the above photo embedded in this thread from IMGUR.com as a test, and the photo's hidden copyright info decrypted with no issues.

There are a number of steganography apps available, some free though batch processing a number of photos may need to be done using command line apps? Not a perfect solution as it can also be defeated, though may be less likely to be detected by its stealth nature?

[BobsYourUncle]

2manytoyz wrote:
If I find one of my pictures on someone else's website, I right click on the image, and either select "view image", or "view image info". Either will show it's physical location: whether they copied the image to their server, or simply linked to mine.

I could enable protection on my server that prevents hot-linking, but that doesn't stop someone from copying it anyway, and it's more fun to create a little havoc on their end. BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

Thanks for the explanation.

And I like your idea of fun! :B
Sounds like you're kinda warped.... Just like me!

[Campfire_Time]

2manytoyz wrote:
I've had numerous images stolen from my website. Usually an email to the offender, and it's removed. Had they asked, I most likely would let them use it, as long as they quoted the source.

However, I've had some websites HOT LINK to the images on my sever. That uses my bandwidth. In those cases, I rename the original image, change the link on my website, and place a "choice" picture, with the original name on my server. Their website then displays the new image. Now that's FUN!

Awesome!

[2manytoyz]

If I find one of my pictures on someone else's website, I right click on the image, and either select "view image", or "view image info". Either will show it's physical location: whether they copied the image to their server, or simply linked to mine.

I could enable protection on my server that prevents hot-linking, but that doesn't stop someone from copying it anyway, and it's more fun to create a little havoc on their end. BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

[BobsYourUncle]

2manytoyz wrote:

However, I've had some websites HOT LINK to the images on my sever. That uses my bandwidth. In those cases, I rename the original image, change the link on my website, and place a "choice" picture, with the original name on my server. Their website then displays the new image. Now that's FUN!

Now THERES a guy who thinks outside the box!!!! :B LMAO!
That is downright awesome! Haha, I can just see the fun in that!

I have a nice photo I took a few years back of a mountain sheeps a.. uh, butt! That would work good for the purpose you describe!

How do you know when they hot link?

[2manytoyz]

I've had numerous images stolen from my website. Usually an email to the offender, and it's removed. Had they asked, I most likely would let them use it, as long as they quoted the source.

However, I've had some websites HOT LINK to the images on my sever. That uses my bandwidth. In those cases, I rename the original image, change the link on my website, and place a "choice" picture, with the original name on my server. Their website then displays the new image. Now that's FUN!

[p220sigman]

Not only that, you can use the snipping tool to grab it. It won't be production quality, but certainly good enough to re-post elsewhere.

[monkey44]

For those that answered - thanks, and I do understand copyright law and registering or not requirements. And my website has non-copy software in place, however, adding an individual (C) make gives me a little more flexibility keeping honest people honest, but also informed.

And you're right, someone determined to steal a photo will steal a photo, but at least we'd like to keep honest the folks that don't realize that copyright is a legal right for artists. Thanks for he leads above, will try that one Bob linked as see what it does. Happy camping and Merry Christmas to all ... M44 & Genie

[Campfire_Time]

2012Coleman wrote:


Here is an example of the right click context menu when this CSS is implemented:

Photo is one that 8.1Van posted in ATC - Right click on on this image and see the difference. The Save As option does not refer to the image.

However the image can be retrieved from the browser cache. If someone really wants a copy that's where they will get it from.

[2012Coleman]

2012Coleman wrote:
You can remove the "save image" context menu by using some CSS. This also leaves the rest of the right click context-menu intact.

img {
pointer-events: none;
}

It makes all img elements non-reactive to any mouse events such as dragging, hovering, clicking etc. See the spec

Here is an example of the right click context menu when this CSS is implemented:

Photo is one that 8.1Van posted in ATC - Right click on on this image and see the difference. The Save As option does not refer to the image.

[BobsYourUncle]

I just checked, yes I'm very sure the program I used is Visual Watermark
The home page of their website shows a little "how it works" animation.

[GordonThree]

As previously suggested, have your website do it:

https://www.patrick-wied.at/static/watermarkjs/

Just one way of doing it, there's at least a half dozen other ways.