Is there a way to watermark a picture so it doesnt show up on the orginal?

Question

Is there a way to watermark a picture so it doesnt show up on the orginal, but if the person were to take it to get more prints or scan it, then the watermark would show? I just started my own photography business and my clients asked if they could just order prints first without the watermark that i had on the proofs, so they could show ppl first before ordering more. I just dont want to get ripped off which i know they could not do that but i was hoping there was some way that i could protect my pictures without having a watermark on the orginal???

Answer 1

It sounds like someone is going to rip you off. Unfortunately these days it is very easy to copy the shots if you do not put a watermark on them. You have protection embedded withint the file but that only offers you legal protection or digital protection if the files end up online and you pay for a crawler to look for your shots. I would just offer to put the pictures online at a site like Photoshelter where they can see a decent sized image but not download it without permission. If people want low quality prints, they can find a way around most anything.

Answer 2

Not really, no.



I never watermark any prints, including proofs. I look at it this way: if somebody is going to go to all the effort to scan and make crappy prints from my proofs, they were never going to buy prints anyway. And if your print prices are so unreasonable that people will avoid paying your prices by scanning proofs and making crappy prints, then either your prices are too high or you need to improve the quality of your clients.



Honest people won't steal your work even if it's not watermarked. Dishonest people will no matter what watermark you put on. So for me, watermarking is pointless.



Peace.

Answer 3

You can upload the original without watermarks in a smaller resolution on a private online album for that specific client so they could choose from there. They have a right to request if they're gonna pay for their pictures.