Watermarks?

[Villida]

I was just wondering whether on not I should at watermarks to any photos poster on this site. I have noticed a few people using watermarks and suspect it is more for promotion rather than security.
I only joined the site today so I haven't had much of a chance to read up on much yet.

[ricktas]

up to you. We have no rules on it on the forums, members can choose for themselves if they do or not.

Note that if you enter any of our photography competitions, you cannot watermark your entry as it would negate the anonymity of who entered what entry.

Also note that the constructive critique forums are only visible to active site members Non member, and non participating (regular posting) members cannot access the CC forums. This is in place to help ensure posting photos to AP is as safe as we can make it.

[Mark L]

....... I have noticed a few people using watermarks and suspect it is more for promotion rather than security.

Suspect you're right, though I think some think they get some (false) security also.
Don't worry to much about security when posting photos on AP. Further to what Rick said, members here are members because they're photographers. Understanding our copyright is almost inherent. If someone's photo, posted only here, turns up somewhere, else then Rick (and mods) have a record of all members who have looked at any thread, and so the detective work can begin.
Of cause if you want to promote, watermark, or put a link in your signature!!

[ricktas]

I add my watermark to mine cause the small JPG files are not just uploaded to this site. I use them for a variety of things, and its easier to have one copy with a watermark and use that copy everywhere on the net, rather than having different copies depending on where it is being uploaded to. So it is for marketing, copyright protection, and more. So maybe none of the worthwhile reasons apply to uploading them to Ausphotography, but its just the way I submit my images online..anywhere.

[Wayne]

I don't bother watermarking things here, generally because they are small, low res files directly uploaded, I don't upload to flickr etc so no embedded files. That said, none of what I upload has any real value to anyone else.

[Villida]

Thanks for the feedback.

[graemelee]

Yes I concur.Most of my photos are used solely for competition on this site.I would only watermark if it became inherent that photos were being copied and sold by someone elsewhere.