Tips for Watermarking Your Images

Whether you’re a professional or simply an amateur looking for some peer recognition, putting logos in your photos is a highly debated question in photography. For some, adding a watermark is as habitual as adjusting white balance or exposure in Lightroom. For others, watermarks are seen as distractions. In case you belong to the first school of thought, here are some quick tips from David Bergman:

The idea behind a watermark is that if a potential client likes your work, they can find you based on the information you put on your photo. Your watermark must satisfy that purpose.

Don’t make it too big and obnoxious. Sure, any potential thief would have second thoughts about stealing an image with a large watermark right smack in the middle of it. But, a watermark like this will ruin your image.

watermarking your imagery

Is your watermark a distraction?

Using your business logo is a good idea. However, if the logo is too artistic or the information is impossible to decipher, then it makes no sense either.

should you watermark your images

Artistic Watermark

Create a simple one liner. In Photoshop or Lightroom, create a watermark that  contains a copyright symbol, your name, and contact information. Bergman suggests something like this:

best way to watermark images

Use contrast. Use black text for lighter colored backgrounds and white text for dark backgrounds.

Create a Photoshop action. You can add your watermark to all photos in a couple of mouse clicks.

watermark using photoshop action

At the end of the day, keep in mind that you don’t want to overdo the watermark thing.

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