watermark question

A friend of mine told me that if I used a watermark my image could still be stolen and that the watermark could be removed. Is that true? If so, what's the point in using them?

My opinion is, that watermark thingy don't help a nut into protecting your images. Its not as if you can track a ripper my having you watermark on an image.

It also ruins your images, distorting them or making the size bigger.

There isn't much you can do to prevent someone's site or image from being rip cause the web is an open world. If you're afraid of being ripped, don't upload your stuff online.

So why did they create that plugin anyways?
Fill me in....

Sidefx...

I understand that your knowledge of how Digimarc™ watermarking is limited. This is because, eventhough you'd like the protection afforded by the system, you, like a lot of us, can't justify the price of the subscription service given the type and volume of work that you do.

If, on the otherhand, you were the principle in a large stock photo agency, it would be in your best interests and financially justifiable to spend the money for the service, because ownership and regulated use of your product is how you'd be making your money.

It isn't just shoehorned into the Photoshop install CD because it's a novelty. There are plenty of companies and individuals who take advantage of Digimarc's watermark, imbedding, reading, tracking and usage services, and would likely be out of a lot of money if they didn't.

Don't be so quick to dismiss, out of hand, something of which you have no knowledge. I don't use it either, but I'm smart enough to recognise its value and worth.

IMO, watermarking an image is alright. Though I have seen it far too often that an artist puts a GIANT watermark over their entire image, destroying the beauty of it. Yes, smaller watermarks are easier to remove from cropping or editing, but large ones destroy a piece of work.

As for Digimarc. I don't use Digimarc, and my company doesn't. But, I have looked at it online and at the filter itself in Photoshop.
Apparently the more secure you make your picture with a digimarc signature, the more present the watermark itself is on your image. Less secure=less of a watermark. I've also read that it can really mar your image depending on what your image looks like. If you use it for digital graphics for the web, a digimarc can be defeated using screen capture or an illegal, but easily obtainable removal software. I certainly don't know all the facts about this form of watermarking, but as with everything, there are ways around it.

My choice would just be to put a small watermark of your own creation on your pictures. It keeps all but the most determined of theives from removing it anyway.

My post was refering to people who use it for personal sites, like for personal gallery, that was what he asked.

A friend of mine told me that if I used a watermark my image could still be stolen and that the watermark could be removed

I was answering it on a "personal site" level

Sorry for being a little ignorant

I saw this watermark that was invisible when you looked at the picture but if you try to copy it the watermark shows on the copy. Does anyone know how to do this or where you can get this watermark? If anyone know what I am talking about please let me know. Thanks, Beans:D