Monday, April 12, 2010

Something New

I'm adding something new here.
Watermarks.
I have really debated (some of you have patiently listened to me) about whether to watermark some of my images here on my blog. Lots of other people do it and I think it's a good idea to protect your work at least a little bit out here on the scary internets. People swipe your pictures and don't give you credit and claim that your children are their own (honestly - I did see that happen once, but thankfully, not to me!).
But, adding a watermark also says, "I think my photos are good enough that you might steal them." And I don't want to be that person. I don't want to look like I think I'm great or something.
So, I've gone back and forth a lot over this.
Some of you download my pictures and use them as desktop backgrounds - and I'm happy you like my pictures enough to do that. In fact, it makes me blush a little bit to think that you actually have my photos somewhere in your life. I hope a watermark won't interfere with your enjoyment.
I just don't want strangers using my work without permission.
Yes - watermarks can be cropped right off - it's not fool-proof. But I'm also not going to slap a huge, diagonal watermark across the middle of my pictures. I want them to look pretty for you.
I have been considering the option to sell a few prints, though, and why on earth would you pay me for something that you could swipe from my blog for free? So...
It all comes down to this:
Some of my pictures will have a watermark on them. It won't be the family snapshots and general what-I-did-today pictures, though. I'll just put it on the ones that I consider, well, something I might want to sell. Does that work? Do you think I'm getting the Big Head? I sure hope not.
In fact, I hope so much that you will still love me that I'm going to show you one of my favorite pictures ever right now.
It's called "You Have Such a Lovely Home," because that's exactly what I said out loud to the robin I that imagined lived in it.

This is that tree I saw in New Harmony on our vacation. There are even more pictures and I might get them up around here soon, but this is, by far, my favorite. This is not at all an official logo or something like that. It's sure to change. But it'll do for now.
I hope you like it. And I hope you'll forgive me for plastering my name on it.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

I like it...and your pictures are good enough to sell...yup yup yup.

frabjouspoet said...

There's no need to apologize about a watermark. Go for it! Your pictures are beautiful. (I still want a copy of Moon in My Coffee to hang on my wall.)

Amy Button said...

You have every right to watermark your photos. This is something you're studying, that you're good at and may end up making money with. It doesn't bother me if you stick a watermark on everything. And yes, absolutely sell some...of the beach because I can't take any myself :)

Christy said...

OMG - Alli! I completely forgot to send it to you! I can't believe I did that.
Amy - I'll see what I can do :)

christina said...

I second Denise...Btw, you don't have to Tell other us you're good (not that you would), everybody already knows you are! So catch up with us & believe it yourself!

(You don't have to post this comment if it embarasses you) :)

Christy said...

Oh my Christina :) You make me smile.

Becky Nelson said...

Scott watermarks all his photos as well. Lots of people and groups have asked him for one, specific photo--had it been for sale, he could have been financing his hobby. If a friend wants a specific photo, since it's digital, you could email the pic without the watermark.

Kate said...

You should totally feel free to watermark. It is hard to own anything digital on the internet these days!

I can't wait to see a collection when you're ready!

mindy said...

You already know how much I love this photo, but I'll say it again....gorgeous! and, yes, you have every right to protect your work.....watermark away!