I was wondering what everyone thinks of putting your signature on your photos. It would protect them from theft and it would be lovely to take a glance and know who took the pic. I tried a couple on mine, tell me what ya think...

Alot of people don't like them... I generally put them on all my images nowadays as I am hoping to be able to market some of them in future. It's important to try to make the signiture unbotrusive as possible; in some cases you can even improve the image by adding one if it is done thoughtfully. On the first incarnation of my site (www.rescope.com.au) I used a generic mark for all my images, on the second (www.test.rescope.com.au) I have tried to customize it to fit the individual images. Have a look if you like and see which you prefer.

Look at the new image I just posted..see what you think ok? It is the same way I sing my canvas paintings..is it small enough? tell me what your thoughts are.I like your website..the way it is laid out...very nice. I am about to make a new one for Bannack, Mt. the ghost town I love...thank you for your thoughts on this..

I normally dislike "branding" my images in a very visible way. What I've done recently to promote my wallpaper site is to put the url of the site in the lower left corner near the bottom. If you position it correctly it doesn't show if the person is using it as a wallpaper because the windows taskbar covers it. That works for me, because the person will still know where the image came from, but it doesn't distract from the image at all.

That sounds good Crusader, only problem is that some of "us" have the taskbar at the top, which is where mine is at. I may not stay with the signature...I just wanted to try it. I guess because I "sign" my canvas paintings too, I thought this might be good. But I need the input.

Well, you can't please everyone! ;) I should have said in "most" cases the taskbar would cover it. In any case, that's just my way of doing it. I generally find large text in images very distracting, even if it's the title of the image or whatever.

I think your signature style is effective but perhaps too large in "Beach Bench in Oregon". Maybe half that size would reduce any distraction.

Good morning
Saw the signature and the only citicism I would make would be the same as Tracy's above. The size now overpowers the image. I would suggest smaller than 1/2, perhaps even a 1/4 or a bit less. But don't stop experimenting :)
Enjoy your day
Romane

Yes, I think you are both right with the size..I noticed that later on....am still not sure of doing it, dont want to distract..or go overboard..they say "if in doubt, dont" smile..thanx all.

A signature is fine but i suggest making it faint. The other choice is what i do. I embed a very almost un-noticalbe water mark in several places.

another option could be to place the signature.. and then alter the opacity in Photoshop.. make it where its just visible in the image.. and thats my 2 cents lol

Building on xyccoc's suggestion, you can have an embossed watermark, that is, you can have your name or signature appear as if it's been embossed or stamped into the image. It’s subtle and see-through so it does not interfere with the image, yet is just obvious enough to thwart would be plagiarists. I use it on client proofs all the time.

PM me if you would like the step by step instructions on how to do it.
(If enough people are interested, I might create a step-by-step tutorial.)

We love your tutorials Will as well as actions;-)

I have posted an image featuring the watermark technique I describe above. Texture