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How to add a copyright watermark to your photos

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty

My recent post on the Orphan Works bill was reblogged (thank you!).  This generated a comment requesting a tutorial on adding a copyright watermark to photos.  This can easily be done in Photoshop Elements.  (Don't let the long list below intimidate you - it's actually a very simple process.) 

  1. Open your photo in Photoshop Elements editor.
  2. Select the Text tool - this will create a new Text layer.
  3. Choose a somewhat heavy font; I use white for the color, but any color will work.
  4. Type your text.  To insert the copyright symbol from a standard keyboard, hold down the Alt key and type "0169" on the keypad.  (Don't use the number keys along the top of the keyboard - they won't work.)  When you release the Alt key, the copyright symbol should appear.  (If your keyboard doesn't have a keypad, you can insert the symbol using the Windows Character Map.  Let me know if you need specific instructions for this.)
  5. Optional:  If you want to rotate your text, use the Transform function to move and rotate to the desired position.
  6. With the Text layer still active, choose Bevels from the Effects palette, select Simple Inner Bevel and click Apply.
  7. From the Effects palette, choose Visibility, select None and click apply.

Here's an example using my favorite subject (my boy Rocky)!

Please feel free to contact me (or post a comment here) if you need additional information.

 

Comments (43)

Glenda Cherry
Keller Williams Realty - Herndon, VA
Realtor / Photographer

Thanks, Mary!

Jeff, there are a couple of different ways to get the copyright symbol using a laptop.  If you have a function key that allows a portion of the keyboard to function as a numeric keypad, just hold down that key in addition to the Alt key - but this doesn't work on all laptops.  If you're using Windows, you can bring up the Character Map utility (Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools) and use that to paste the symbol into the text box.

Thanks, Catherine, for providing an alternative for Mac users.

Oct 30, 2008 03:25 AM
Glen A. Mitchell
Keller Williams Peninsula Estates - Half Moon Bay, CA
Broker, CDPE, Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay,El Granada

I've always wanted to take the time to figure this out, but haven't until I saw your post.  Thanks.

Oct 30, 2008 03:53 AM
Thomas Johnson
RE/MAX TOP - Houston, TX
SRES, Green

Would there be a value in posting lesser pics on th MLS, since the copyright is forfeit and then on all the syndicated sites posting copyrighted better composed and produced photos?  Just thinking...

Oct 30, 2008 04:19 AM
Tracy Santrock
Santrock Realty Group Inc. , - Cary, NC
Raleigh - Cary Broker

Glenda,

This is one thing I haven't gotten around to doing.  There is so much to do on top of work, clients, etc.  I've bookmarked for future use.

Got it! I was able to get the word wrap and shadowing but no transform stroke.  Any ideas?

Oct 30, 2008 05:08 AM
Antonio M. Cardenas Broker Associate
RE eBroker Group - San Leandro, CA. - San Leandro, CA
"The Realtors In Motion"

Thank you Glenda, that was very informative, I don't believe I have anything worth copywriting, but I have seen photos with that symbol, now I know how to do it thanks to you.

Antonio

Oct 30, 2008 06:58 AM
Glenda Cherry
Keller Williams Realty - Herndon, VA
Realtor / Photographer

Thomas - I see where you're going with this idea, but most of the syndication sites get the photos from the MLS.  Do any of the bigger players allow to you upload replacement photos? 

Oct 30, 2008 08:24 AM
Antoinette Murphy
RE/MAX Atlantic - Absecon, NJ
GRI

Glenda,  thanks for reading the manual for the rest of us!

Oct 30, 2008 10:59 AM
Anonymous
Barb

I love your cat Glenda! Thanks for being so generous by sharing your tips. I have been teaching myself Photoshop for a while. There is a definite learning curve; my main obstacle being time! People such as yourself sharing your knowledge are AWESOME!

Oct 31, 2008 03:47 PM
#31
Ann Hayden 636-399-7544
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri - Des Peres, MO
SelectAnn.com

Glenda,

Thanks for the info!  It is good to know.  I guess I need to get the key pad out for my laptop..

Ann

Nov 01, 2008 06:40 AM
Thomas Johnson
RE/MAX TOP - Houston, TX
SRES, Green

Glenda:  I think Zilllow does.  Our MLS just started feeding Zillow today, we'll see ;-).  There is also the issue of professional photography.  Do the MLS rules put the Realtor in danger if they provide professional photos tp the seller and then those photos are plastered all over, in violation of the photographer's copyright?

Nov 03, 2008 11:16 AM
Anonymous
Cheryl White - Avalon Realty in Sugar Land Texas

Thank you so much for this information. I am teaching classes at Keller Williams here and can use it in my classes.

Cheryl White

Nov 04, 2008 04:09 AM
#34
Tim Ludemann
Ochopee, FL

Glenda thank you for that how to...i can't wait to try a couple of pics this morning...have a great day!

Nov 15, 2008 01:11 AM
Matthew and Sandy Jagmin
Brick Road Visuals: marketing, virtual tours, photography - Bentonville, AR
Marketing, Virtual Tours, Photography

Great Post Glenda!

 

@Thomas:  I'm sorry, I know I'm not Glenda, but I thought I'd take a stab at this one.  If a pro-photographer is hired to photograph the property they generally give a release that allows the photos to be used to market the property.  So if those photos are plastered all over the place to market the property then it should be OK.  If they are plastered all over the place for other purposes, that may violate the copyright, but as long as the Realtor used them legally (for marketing) the Realtor wouldn't be liable. 

 

Nov 16, 2008 12:09 PM
Heather Moriah Martin
eXp Realty - Allentown, PA
REALTOR - Lehigh Valley

Hello Glenda!

WOW! Thank you for sharing...this is great! I appreciate your time!

 

Nov 17, 2008 09:57 AM
Tony and Libby Kelly
Keller Williams Realty Portland Premiere - Lake Oswego, OR
CRS, ABR, ePro, SRES, CLHMS, CDPE

Wow, cool!  I love this Tech Group, I keep finding out things I didn't even know I wanted to learn!

Dec 02, 2008 03:34 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

thanks for the info!  Helpful tips

Dec 02, 2008 11:50 PM
Johnathan Mullaney
Village Land Shoppe - Flagstaff, AZ
Broker, Flagstaff Real Estate

Glenda,

I am all about short cuts. I had never heard of alt 0169. Very cool, do you have any other hidden short cuts? I have an hp laptop with the side keypad. It's a larger laptop with a big screen, so there was room to add it. So no need to take an extra attachment or used an extra usb port.

Dec 30, 2008 05:38 AM
Mindy & Jay Robbins
Robbins Real Estate - Dallas, TX
Expect Excellence from Robbins Real Estate

Thanks for sharing this step by step to copyright photos!

Jan 30, 2009 12:42 PM
Mike Eddy
Coldwell Banker Island Properties - Wailea, HI
Maui Real Estate Broker

Glenda

That was easy, thank you for sharing.

Mike

Apr 09, 2009 01:03 AM
Antoinette Murphy
RE/MAX Atlantic - Absecon, NJ
GRI

One of these days I will use you tips.

Apr 27, 2009 11:50 PM