Remember to Copyright Your Images! Tips from Josh Withers

In a digital age where file sharing is potentially limitless, it is extremely important to remember to copyright your images before they leave your computer–or even leave your camera! Nikon and Canon let you add ownership information to your images as soon as they are shot.

On most Nikon cameras, the “Image Comment” field lets you add a text message into every image's EXIF data field. Unfortunately, Nikon does not provide a copyright symbol so try parentheses surrounding a lowercase "c" instead …"(c)".

Set copyright information by going to MENU > Set Up Menu > Image Comment > Input Comment. Add your text–such as (c) your name and number–then hit ENTER. You must hit ENTER or it will forget everything you just did. Now go to ATTACH COMMENT and hit SET so a small checkmark shows. Now select DONE. If you forget to check ATTACH it won't attach, and if you forget to hit DONE it will also forget everything you just did.

On a Canon, the process is similar. Most models have a “Copyright Information” menu item to enable or disable an author's name and copyright details (see image). It is also easy to add copyright information in Lightroom or Bridge by filling out the Metadata fields and applying them to your images.

Final word of warning: DO NOT rely solely on this to protect your images from misuse. You should also register your copyright through the U.S. Government Copyright office, www.copyright.gov/register/, to further protect your rights.

Learn more from Josh in his workshop
Professional Photoshop Techniques: Layers, Masks, and Beyond

June 27 - July 3, 2010

Visit his web site www.joshwithers.com to see what he's up to.