Can you tell me how?

[whitehawke]

How do I go about putting a watermark or whatever it is on my art and photos to protect them from theft while they are on my blog? Is there a free program I can use or what?
Thanks for your help.

[wgjones3]

What kind of programs do you have now?

If you have any photo programs that work with layers you can easily do a watermark. Just string some text across a new layer and play with the color / opacity until you have what you want.

[whitehawke]

Thanks WG.
I have a free version of Photoshop that I haven't used yet and Hello.
I haven't the foggist of how to do anything with them yet.:o

[Phy]

You might take a look at Irfanview. It's a free image viewing app that may also do some simple image editing of the sort that you're looking for:
http://www.irfanview.com/

[wgjones3]

Your free version of photoshop... is that photoshop deluxe?

You might want to install it and use the help function to find out about working with layers, and you can also look up watermarking in help (it may have a watermark feature... it's been so long since I worked with deluxe I can't remember).

[whitehawke]

Phy, thanks. I'll have a look at that.

WG, this is what I have... Photoshop® Album 2.0 Starter Edition. Don't know if that's any help.

[wgjones3]

That sounds like a photo organizer more than a photo editor.

[whitehawke]

That sounds like a photo organizer more than a photo editor.
sigh.. Yeah I thought so. Drat.
What is Gimp?

[wgjones3]

Gimp is a free, open-source graphics editor. A lot of people seem to like it; I never could get past the ugly interface design (though the screenshots of the newer versions look much nicer).

[Quirky]

Hi Whitehawk. Say, before you give up on the Photo Shop you do have, may I suggest you spend a little time with it? Look in the Edit and Image toolbar selections and play around with those. My husband does most of this, but he is insisting that I learn. So the past few days I have been doing so. Edit or Image Or File? will have a Layer option, once you get into the program.
And, we display a lot of tool bars so they are handy to make adjustments.

Just give yourself time to play with it.

Blessings,
Quirky

[whitehawke]

WG, thanks. I might look into it if I get desperate.

Quirky,
Thanks. Sounds like I better go and look closer at this Photo Shop then. Hope you're right.

Thanks everyone, you've all given me things to think about.

[Quirky]

Whitehawke, I just checked out your blog. Nice. Peaceful. Thoughtful.

My hubby and I were discussing websites today, considering when we will start one. Not for a while, but one day we will....a tremendous 'reach-out' tool.
Bye, off to other sites.
Blessings,
Q

[whitehawke]

Quirky,
Thanks for visiting my blog and for your encouragement. I want it to be a friendly place that shows Jesus. One day I may do a website, but I need to learn more of the how to and to have the time to up keep it.
Enjoy your venture through the other sites and may you have a great year in Jesus.

[writegirl1949]

Whitehawke ... have you had any luck with watermarks? I have another blog (which needs to be resurrected) and I'm thinking about using my photos there. I have the same concerns you have.

Wouldn't putting a copyright on it protect you? Of course, a watermark would be much better.

Just curious and hoping to learn from you.

Blessings, Francine

[whitehawke]

Francine,
Hi there. How are you? Missed seeing you at my blog. I must get back over to yours again. It's been too long. I've been busy working on a drawing.

I haven't worked out anything with the watermarks yet. I'm not too sure how to do it. Think I might have to go with the copyright, like you say. If I remember, I'll let you know if I work it out.

[writegirl1949]

Rulan ... I've got Microsoft Picture It which is what I use to edit my photos and while I don't have a clue about "layers" I'm going to check it out and see if I can figure something out. And, Santa brought me a new digital camera that's similar in every way to my Minolta SLR, which I haven't used since we got our very small digital. As you can imagine, I've been snapping away since Christmas. I hope to use my photos on my other blog (that I haven't posted to in months).

I stopped by your blog a bit ago. I so love your photos ... and your words. One of my New Years non-resolutions is to try and visit the blogs that encourage me and your's is definitely one of those.

I'm working on the next book as well as a new direction for my blog now that the marathon Christmas postings are over, lol. And, starting to organize stuff for the packers to pack up our stuff (Sounds of great rejoicing). I leave on Feb 10 to return to my "high" desert home and my family. I'll also be free (literally) to spend more time on-line without paying such a dear price.

Anyway, I'll let you know if I come up with anything that might help.

Blessings, Francine

[whitehawke]

Francine,
Cool, let me know if you do work something out. I am so looking forward to seeing your photos. Let me know when you have them up and I'll come a looking for them. :D
One of these days I'll have to get a digital camera. When ever I want to post any, I have to use the scanner.

Yeah, just after I made my last post, I found out that you'd been to my blog. Amazing timing.!thumbsup! You like my blog that much? wow, that is so encouraging. Thank you.
I must get back to visiting your blog more often as well. It's fun to hear what you've been up to on the far side of the world.

I'm going to go hit the sack now.

All the best for the shift. Sounds exciting.

[writegirl1949]

Hi Rulan:

Here's what I dug up. Now remember, I'm so NOT computer literate.:rolleyes:

I used Microsoft Picture It and just insterted some text and I also used Adobe Photo Shop. I'm going to email you the photos that I played with.

I will start posting photos on my OTHER blog, The Storyteller ... telling a story in pictures and few words :cool: . I'll let you know when I start posting.

If neither of these two suggestions helps, do a google on photo watermarks or a play on those words. I did and found the Adobe Photoshop EASY (supposedly takes two minutes ... yeah, when you KNOW what you're doing:eek: ) and printed them out. I finally figured it out. It really does only take a few minutes. I didn't go further in checking out the other things that came up in the search.

Just thought I'd pass it on.

Blessings, Francine

[whitehawke]

Francine,
hey, that sounds cool.!thumbsup!

Are those programs free?

I woke up about 2 this morning and had trouble getting back to sleep, then when I did, I slept in. Badly in need of my cup of tea. When I have that, I will take a look at those photos. It sounds like you're having heaps of fun. Thanks.

Rulan sleepy eyes.

[writegirl1949]

Rulan ... sad to say they aren't free. Wish they were. I may do some more research and see if there is something out there. What do you edit your photos in now?

If there's a way to just insert text and a way to color that text, you can do it that way ... just use a light color that won't detract from the photo. I guess that isn't a watermark although it's basically what you do in Adobe and they call it a watermark:confused:

Anyway, I'm sure we can figure something out.

Blessings, Francine