Watermarking Photos

[NBPCA]

Hello,

We are looking into watermarking photos here at the Collection. Am I likely to be able to use my current software on the PC to do this, or will I have to buy Photoshop, or something similar? Anyone with experience please offer you advice.

Regards,
Leigh Taafe.

[Jow]

Depends on what your current software is.

[Mitchell]

Hey Leigh,

We can use Gimp (freeware) and I can show you how. Though I suggest buying a program which will automatically batch imprint a watermark on several hundred shots in one go. These programs can also auto size your images too.

Here's one that offer a free trial period. http://www.newfreedownloads.com/Multime ... eator.html

[NBPCA]

Hi Joe,

I just saw somewhere that I can do it using GIMP - I just spent a while going through our GIMP software to see if I could do it - Cant find anything.
There is also a site called picmakr.com that allows you to do it online.

I am trying to avoid having to buy Photoshop.

If anyone has more experience with GIMP than I, and can tell me how to get a watermark using it, I would appreciate it.

Joe, we just have the usual Office software on the PC here.

Cheers,
Leigh.

[Mitchell]

To use gimp you need to open the picture of a tree, then import a layer of your watermark, set it to the opacity you want maybe 5 percent at a guess. Scale it and position.

Will take you 5 minutes per shot to do, that's why I suggest buying a cheap program to batch do them.

I have Ted's Gum in Gimp now, just setting the NBPCA watermark on it, i'll post in a sec. Were you thinking light water mark over entire image or just in the corner. If you are doing this for promotion corner is ok, but security wise you would need it over the lot. I am thinking just promo, so corner.

[Mitchell]

Done in gimp, just on the laptop so not my finest effort.

[kcpoole]

you can do it in GIMP by adding the correct plugin supposedly. I have not done it myself but A couple of Howtos here
http://registry.gimp.org/node/21834
http://www.td-e.com/soft/watermark-it.php
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index ... 300AA0xOzF

google search here for more if you need
http://www.google.com.au/search?q=gimp+ ... =firefox-a

Ken

[Mitchell]

Those look interesting Ken, I think I couldn't get one of them to work before, but worth checking out.

Here's a white version with NBPCA in there.

[Mitchell]

Open the image in Gimp.

1.JPG

Click file, then open as layer.

2.JPG

Select your watermark image.

3.JPG

Right click it, click layer, then transperancy, then colour to alpha

4.JPG

In order to re-locate the water mark we need to right click, then cut it, then right click the tree image and paste it again.
I don't know why I think it is a glitch in gimp.
Now we can move the watermark with the move tool.

5.JPG

Once positioned take the eraser and set to about 50%, erase the watermark to desired lightness.

6.JPG

[NBPCA]

Thanks Mitchell,

That looks pretty straight forward. Not sure what is going on with the phone situation. I will give this a crack.

Cheers,
Leigh.

[NBPCA]

OK - I can do everything - but it wont let me cut and paste it to a new location on the picture.

Also,

Do you know about "XF" stuff to do with images? Roger was talking about something called XF info that can be changed about a photo, like naming the picture and adding other details in this XF thingy? Sorry to sound vague, but I had no idea what he was talking about.

[NBPCA]

Ok - I figured out how to move it to the corner. Thanks

[Mitchell]

EXIF data is information that is stored in an image. It can be accessed via right clicking the file, select properties, summary, advanced.

I am not up to speed but I believe you need a program, to add details like author etc.



Sorry I was typing out how to move it....

[Mitchell]

Here's a program that will do it for you.
http://www.colorpilot.com/exif.html


Remember though, it is good for your own purposes, yet is only retained if someone leaves the image as a whole. If they "print screen" and paste it into paint, your Meta data/EXIF data is gone too.

[NBPCA]

Thanks Mitchell, you have been a great help for me today. Cheers, Leigh.