Copyrighting images allows photographers or creators to establish their ownership of the photos. This gives them the authority to decide how to distribute and use their products. This way, copyright protects the owners from unauthorized, uncredited, and unlicensed use of the images. Suppose you’re new to copyrighting photos. In that case, you may consider identifying the steps to copyright your images. Whether you’re a newbie or a pro, doing this can help you provide privacy and ownership to your photos. For that purpose, here’s an article to guide you. So, read on.

1. Know The Fundamental Copyrighting Laws

Protecting your content is essential if you want to keep your images for personal and commercial purposes. Before you take the steps of copyrighting your photos, you should first know the gist of the copyrighting laws. You may consult a copyright lawyer or seek the tips and tricks of professional photographers already practicing image copyrighting. If you’re in the United Kingdom and other countries, the copyrighting laws say that your images will last until 70 years after the creator’s death. At this time, the photos will be a part of the public domain, making them free to use without permission from the photo’s owner.

2. Register

Copyrighting your photos starts with filing your application form in the copyright office. You can download and submit the form online or the physical copy to the copyright office. This formal registration provides you the right to claim damages if someone uses your images without permission. In addition, registering the copyright of your images increases your chance of covering your legal expenses. Also, it paves the way for your photos to be paid for with a decent amount if you’re doing photography commercially. This is a non-negotiable, especially if you want to turn your photography skills into something profitable.

3. Save The Copyright Proof

In most cases, you’ll receive a copyright notice. Some notices may be obtained right after registration. However, this may sometimes take weeks or months, depending on your location. Save the proof as a future reference for your claims. You may also apply for a duplicate copy if necessary. In the United States, the copyright notice states the actual owner of the images. It also has other necessary details, such as the statement of rights, the copyright symbol, and date/s when the photo was created. Although optional, the notice may also bear the owner’s contact information for people who’d want to seek permission for the photo’s usage.

4. Add Copyright Protection Features

Although copyright registration can provide protection, it still won’t prevent people from using images without the owner’s permission. To ensure that the photos will be used with the owner’s consent, you may add extra copyright protection features by editing the images. However, this process may take time if it’s your first time doing it. The following are some of the editing techniques you may employ to increase your photos’ copyright protection features:

– Add A Watermark

A watermark is an identifying image that may appear in different shades. It may come as text or a logo. Photos with watermarks are more challenging to steal or alter. Because of this, they’re more protected against unauthorized use. If you’re considering applying a watermark to your images, you may install any photo editing software. Usually, photo editing software features custom watermarks or generic ones. You may also adjust the watermark’s opacity to make it subtle while still evident.

– Include Hidden Foreground Layers

You may add hidden foreground layers if you’re uploading your images online. If someone downloads the picture, he’ll get a blank image or a photo with a dominant foreground layer, not the actual photograph. You may add a function to your platform or image to prompt people who’d download to pay first or ask for permission.

– Edit EXIF Data

EXIF, or Exchangeable Image File, is a metadata type generated for images created through any digital camera, including DSLR. Editing allows a person to include the owner’s name in the metadata. The image still bears the original owner’s name if anyone downloads it.

Wrapping Up

Stealing and altering images have troubled photographers these past years. These remove the recognition every photographer rightfully deserves and the chance to earn. With this article, a photographer can protect his images through this write-up’s multi-step copyright guide. To be a professional photographer, you must know the basics of protecting your images from theft and unauthorized alteration. Apart from reading this article, you may approach seasoned photographers and ask them about their best practices for safeguarding their prized photos for more ideas.