I’ve had a problem at least half a dozen different times now, where people running workshops have used photos of my work on their websites. FB pages and even printed literature to promote their own workshops - eg: Make your own decorated heart or Christmas decorations workshop etc.
When I’ve contacted them about it, at least one excuse was that their promoter thought that my work was a “stock” photo.
The logical answer is to watermark everything (obviously there are a lot of my photos already out there without watermarks) but do you think it prevents you getting promoted on selling platforms front pages if you have a watermark?
I would love to know your thoughts/ experiences please.
I’ve heard that magazines/ bloggers etc prefer to not have water marks on images (but if they were really interested then they could always contact you for a water mark free version or may want to take their own images). I’ve also heard that it is pretty easy to remove watermarks so they might not put off the die hards (those who want to fake your work so an extra step makes no difference) but might stop the casual usage (those who think it would look good on their poster advertising their course). However since you have had issues I would suggest you try watermarking in a subtle way, ie not across the middle of the image which I think will put alot of buyers off but something like the way little black heart does it (eg https://folksy.com/items/6967766-you-rock-original-aceo) (little black heart does crop up as a folksy favourite on occasion so it hasn’t put admin off using her images).
Just my thoughts others may think differently.
Sasha
Thanks so much for your reply Sasha
Yes, I have tried watermarking a few years ago but it was right across the middle and not very subtle - lol!
I really like how little black heart has done it - I think I’ll try something small and out of the way like that.
The basic answer is, if they didn’t buy it from a stock site, then an image isn’t a stock image - and if it was a stock image they’d definitely pay for it.
Many people think the internet is a supply of free images - it’s not. They are breaking the law - stealing, because that is what they are doing, any image is a breach of the 1988 Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, which is a criminal, not a civil offence. As with any law in the UK, ignorance is no excuse for breaking it.
My husband is a commercial photographer and I run the business and - like many photographers - we have an ongoing problem with breach of copyright. Initially I policed it, but now it’s got so bad and I found it so frustrating and upsetting (remember, these images are our living and so put food on our table!) that we now use an agency to pursue it for us. The last one they advised us they were chasing has been sent a bill for £800 !
If anyone finds their copyright being breached the first thing they should do is send a cease and desist letter asserting their copyright (which in law is yours the minute you click the shutter), stating exactly why it belongs to you with dates when you took the photo and any proof of where it is used. Then demand instant removal of the image. If you are feeling particularly aggrieved or brave you can accompany this with an invoice for the use of the image they’ve already had - don’t go mad, I’d say £25- £50 would be reasonable. In my opinion it’s important to put some sort of figure on it to make them realise there’s an actual cost to the photo - it might make them think twice about stealing someone else’s. Just be prepared to not get paid
If you want me to send a template, or if anyone thinks it’d be useful for me to publish it someone on the forums, let me know.
Oh - and I agree with Sasha @SashaGarrett - watermaking isn’t particularly attractive and can be removed, but subtle watermarking can be a gentle reminder to the casual abuser.
Thank You so much for your reply. That’s very useful information to know.
I did contact each of these people directly (By phone. I find the out of the blue, they may be expecting a booking approach prompts them to actually answer) - and they all agreed to take the images down. Most people have been apologetic and maybe a bit naive but I did have one rather unpleasant lady that didn’t seem to know what the problem was! I did have to send her a Cease and Desist message and the images were taken down.
What irks me the most is the misrepresentation of my work. If I was to hold a workshop - I would make my own examples of work up for promotion. It shows a massive sense of apathy and lack of preparation if they haven’t even got any samples made to promote their own workshops!
One thing I have seen done as an alternative to water marking (but can’t remember where to give you a link) is people using their branded packaging as a prop in the photo, this has two effects as it lets the customer know how their purchase will be wrapped and it is difficult to edit the branding out.
I use a very subtle watermark for my photos. If a link is broken, others can find out what shop it came from. And others can’t say ‘I thought it was free to use’ type of thing.
They weren’t as embarrassed as I would have been if I had been caught out like that! Thank goodness for eagle eyed fans and other potters giving me the tip off!
I’ve made a little watermark - this is my first listing with it:
I used to watermark mine across the middle of the work, but have recently splashed out on a classy signature logo, especially useful for my photographic work. I think It adds class and I use it more subtly now. You can see Photologo FB page here.
I have had issues with people copying my photographs including ‘friends’! I know some people do not like logos splashed across the work. But I think it does send a message to people that copyright is with me. It may not stop everyone though.
I also have a statement about my ownership of the image and that it may not be copied or used in any way in the Description of the item.
Hi All. I know this is an old thread, but just wondered how people feel about this three years on?
I’ve just read through the posts above - Sarah @thedotterypotter - I am gobsmacked about the problems you had, how can people be so cheeky?! Have you had any problems since - I know you watermark all your images now?
The reason I’m asking is that I’ve started to pay a bit more attention to Pinterest & have noticed loads of my pins (of my own items) get saved to boards called ‘projects to try’ or something similar. I know I should probably be flattered that people might want to copy my work, but I put a lot of work into my designs so I’d prefer it if people didn’t pinch them! I’d thought about watermarking, but I don’t know if it would work - might stop someone using the image, but wouldn’t stop them copying the design.
Has anyone else had this issue? Do you think it would be worthwhile to add a watermark anyway, or is there something else I could try? Or is it just inevitable with Pinterest & promoting?! Interested to hear your thoughts!
I’d like to say that I haven’t but even with the watermarks, I still had one person use my work to advertise their workshop! It was only last year and it was actually another artist that contacted me to let me know, as they saw my watermark on the photo and saw that it didn’t correspond with the person’s business name that was running the workshop! I contacted the lady running the workshop and her excuse was that she was giving people “inspiration” about the kind of things they could make at her workshops! Hmmmmm!
Wow, I have no words!! That’s unbelievable. And so strange - surely if she’s expert enough to be running a workshop then she should have loads of examples of her own work?! I suppose it’s a compliment on both your designs & your photos, but she must have noticed your watermark, so wouldn’t have taken two seconds to look you up & contact you. Guessing she knew she was doing something dodgy!!
I know - if I was running a workshop, I would only be showing examples of my own work or what other customer’s had made on the workshops. I can only assume that these workshops were set up in haste and they needed examples quickly (as it does take a while to make and fire a ceramic piece) or they were just too lazy to have prepared properly.
To be honest, most of my watermarks could probably be cut out in photoshop but I do think it reminds people that may be considering copying work where the original idea came from.
I honestly feel fine about putting a watermark on my work, especially right next to my original drawings to make it an inconvenience for a thief to remove. I even print the design with my signature onto my handmade items and have still had sales, so it doesn’t seem to both anyone by having it there ~
An interesting chat which I’ve just joined. I’ve had a couple of people on the other site copy my designs and then undercut on the price. It is so frustrating and I dont go along with the notion that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I am going to re-read all the posts again and find out more about watermarking.
@OrukiDesign Unfortunately I don’t think it’d make any difference for pinterest, it seems to be what a lot of people use it for, not giving the slightest thought to if the things are anyone else’s design and how they’d feel about it.
I do feel more often than not if someone pins my work, it’s to a board like “DIY”, “painting ideas” or “art to try” rather than anyone suggesting it as something they’d like to buy, which is a little disappointing after the excitement of seeing “someone’s pinned your item”, but on the positive side… I think those boards are mostly for the look of things. People want to imagine they’re a great crafty person who’ll make everything themselves, but I think in reality, most of them are a lot lazier than that and won’t get around to doing any of it (…at least, wouldn’t until everyone got stuck at home for weeks/months on end).
That’s for pinterest though, where it’s just a couple of seconds of going “ooh that’s pretty, I’ll pin it to this board then forget all about it”. For someone who’s actually considering using your photo on promotional material or their own website, I’d hope a watermark would be more of a deterrent (although it seems, still not perfect for putting off everyone).
I’ve had a couple of my images stolen and then appear on social media for sale so now eveything I list has a great big watermark slapped aross it - I’ve tried to be as tasteful as possible with it and use the same typeface as I use on shop banners to blend it in as a style - here’s an example of my latest work:
Thanks all for your thoughts! Amazed at how many folks have had images stolen - shocking that so many people out there think it’s OK to do. Or that they just don’t think about it at all.
Sorry to hear you’ve had designs copied Carol @SeaGlassSeaham - you can bet that the quality & materials will be rubbish compared to your gorgeous work, but it still must be a horrible feeling. I’ve had other wire weavers on Instagram directly ask how I’ve made something, what wire I used etc. I mean, I’m not posting tutorials - they are finished items, why on earth would I tell a competitor my methods?!
Kim @konyskiw - glad it’s not just me that’s noticed this! I do think you’re right - when I look at some of the boards they have pinned several hundred links, so they can’t be expecting to copy all of them. I think wire weaving is one of those crafts that looks much easier than it is, & doesn’t require much kit. I started out with just flush cutters & some round nose pliers, then all you need is some wire. I suppose we can take comfort in the fact that they wouldn’t be able to replicate the years of practise we’ve put in!
Just had a quick look in Photoscape X (my photo editing tool) & I can insert an image so I might have a little play around with my next set of photos & see how it looks. Sorting out photos takes long enough as it is, so don’t want to be creating a load more work for myself (although I am very good at that!!)
~
