All the images on Lemon Shark (and Lemon Shark Reef) are mine. Meaning I took them. With my camera. You’re envious, I know.
Some blogs have a credit under the photo or at the end of the post. Some have a copyright. I hadn’t thought much about it but, when I did, I figured it’s my blog and my photos are on it so people will know they’re mine. Of course they don’t. I’ve even been asked where I got them. 
I feel like I should credit myself just like I would credit anyone else if I downloaded it. (Part of me just wants props for setting up and snapping pictures to go with specific posts. Pun intended.) For this story about Princess Penelope, I defrosted some frozen peas, picked out the really round green ones, and did a photo shoot on my son’s old toddler mattress. I did. Let’s move on…
Does it spoil images to write on them? I’ve seen poems and quotes but also copyrights and URLs. I wonder if I should leave them alone. On the other hand, mine are window dressing on my blog, not a photo contest entry. Are they really ruined?
Do you copyright your pictures? How? Put a note in the ‘caption’? Write directly on the photo? What do you think of the one below?
My Sunday thoughts in 200 words or less.
* After I wrote this Thought Bubble, I found this amazing post by Sacha Black (with a note from Geoff Le Pard) on how to create the gorgeous pictures she uses on her blog. (Notice she puts her URL on the photos.) I tried it on this page and I don’t think it takes away from the photo. Actually, I kind of like it.
* Update: 10/6/15 Those photos with poetry and quotes on them? This is what I was talking about. Sue Vincent posts these on her blog. They are stunning—check them out.
Lemon Shark 
I think you can tastefully add words and captions to a photo without taking away from it unless you use an absolutely garish font with clashing colours
Hey why not though add a link to your site give yourself photo credit you are allowed to pat yourself on the back
Cheers
~B
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Yes, I guess that’s what I’m doing here. Patting myself on the back. 😉 I’ve seen beautiful poems, quotes, et al. on photos but have seen plenty of links, too. I don’t think it detracts unless, like you said, bloggers are fond of garishness. Tasteful. Exactly. *pats self on back* Thanks, friend.
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You are very welcome ^_^
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It looks rather cool, if a very uncool guy can say so! Hugh Roberts has told me I should add my moniker on the pictures I used to stop poaching but it always seems to be a bit too much like hard work. I do like doing what Sacha taught me occasionally, mind. And thanks for the shout out. Just doing what that Black Tyrant Woman told me to do!
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Lol!! You crack me up.
I think Sarah did marvellously it looks fab 😊
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Thanks. I’m glad it looks cool. Some say it detracts but, really, for the purpose of a blog, I think it’s good. And I second Mr. Hugh’s suggestion. But it is bit too much like work. Definitely stick with the ones you’re doing–those are great. (Also, you must do what Tyrant Sacha tells you to do…)
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You’re totes allowed especially given there’s no copyright on them. If I had time I would take my own shots but I just don’t! It’s an interesting one because I slap text all over the photos I use – never thought about if it ruined them. I use them because it boosts traffic, not that I’m overly bothered by that but I know Pinterest has sent serious traffic my way at times 😊 plus I think they look pretty all branded up and with titles on!
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I am a photo freak! I take pictures of everything — the good, the bad, and the ugly. If you’ve seen my hospital post, you know what I mean. So I have them just lying around and I figured they’d look pretty on my blog. Sometimes, though, I take a photo specifically for a post (like the Princess and the Pea one) because who has a picture of produce hanging around?
Yes, some will say it ruins the beauty of the shot (a flower, a sunset…) but, like I said, it’s for a blog not a contest. And yours! I love those. They are spectacular and I’m dying to try a bit larger, more bold text like that. Just don’t know what I’d use them for yet. Yours do look gorgeous all branded up with titles on them.
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Your photograph is beautiful, Sarah, and I don’t think the words in the corner detract from the image. I see more and more people doing some kind of imprint.
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I have, too. I see URLs right on the photo (unless it’s a photographer’s blog). I’ve also started seeing a lot of quotes and poems on photos. Of course those are backgrounds made for text… Well, I don’t know. But thank you so much for the compliment. ❤
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I love the photo of your daisy and the way you have credited yourself on it. Using the white font fits beautifully. Good on you for using all of your own photos. I think you should credit them as such so that others don’t use them without your permission.
I often use creative commons photos, many of which don’t require attribution but I usually put the site I have found them on in a caption under the photo so that others can find them if they wish.
I think text can look good on a photo but other times it can make the photo look very busy, and if an appropriate font colour is not used, the text can disappear or be difficult to read.
Sometimes I will make pictures for quotes in PowerPoint by placing text beside the photo and then saving the slide as a picture. I think that works well and prefer it to text on a photo. I guess we all have different preferences, and you need to do what appeals to you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It is an important topic.
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One of the reasons I use them is because I’m camera-happy and the photos are just sitting here on my computer. They’re so pretty and I want to use them. 🙂 Yes, copyright stuff, too. That’s important. We need to be careful. In Sacha’s and Geoff’s post, they list a bunch of sites where bloggers can get photos.
I agree. Sometimes text makes a photo look busy and just…jumbled. I find them difficult to read, too. I love how Sacha chooses backgrounds that work so well with her text.
That’s right! You have done this. I remember you put a quote of mine on a photo of a child walking up the stairs. That was a brilliant pic!
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Do you organise your photos in some way (other than by date) to make them easy to find? I have lots of photos too. I have just started saving them to Dropbox and Google Photos so I don’t lose them in a computer crash. Google Photos seems to have some fun ways of organising them and using two or more similar photos to create panoramic shots or even short videos. I think I’ve some fun learning ahead!
That’s right about your lovely quote – might have been one of the first I did. Prior to that I was using Quozio (and still do sometimes) which is a free online tool for displaying quotes, but I think I can get better variety and more appropriate images making my own in PowerPoint. This is the link to Quozio if you want to check it out. https://quozio.com/
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I’m with Geoff, it’s a lot of trouble to add text. Though my husband did recently comment that several of my “author photos” should be credited to him. Just because he reluctantly held the camera? After all these years, I’m never sure whether he’s serious or not!
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Yes, it’s a bunch of bother, that’s true. But I might do it anyway. Not sure. Your husband… 😀 I think you should at least put a copyright for him on your author photos.
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As a matter of fact Sarah, I happen to think this is a beautiful photograph 🙂 I have always used my own photos from the very start for the simple reason that I had no idea where to get all those great, polished images I see on other blogs, and I didn’t want to run into copyright issues. Well…thinking of it, I have used maybe three or four images in not far far off 3 years of blogging when I’ve absolutely not been able to provide it myself, but have given credit so hope that was enough, yikes! I only write the ‘copyright’ thing at the bottom of my photos, but did discover how to put it on as you’ve done in this one thanks to the new photo editing software that came with my new laptop, but I keep forgetting to use it! I do like how professional it makes the pic look though, as with yours here 🙂 Then I think who would want to copy my pics anyway? I’m always amazed when people have said nice things about them as I only ever used them to illustrate and they’re just the usual point and shoot. But it’s nice that others enjoy them. But when I see some of the other pics out there, well…I am glad that I am not looking to enter a photograph competition any time soon! The thing I was always most concerned about was copyright when using song lyrics…did a blog post about that a while ago thinking of it. But that’s another subject for another time… 🙂
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Yes, the copyright thing. I think you can just credit it but…who knows? I’m not an expert. I’d stay away. But, as I mentioned to Norah, that post by Sacha has links to sites where bloggers can get images. But I love your photos. You have such character on your blog from your photos. Of course, most of it’s your writing but that’s not what we’re talking about here.
So, yay for new laptops! (For more than putting text on photos.) You know, I thought that, too. Who the heck would want my pictures anyway? No one. A lot of these are taken with my phone! Other than that, I have a decent point and shoot like you. But… I don’t know. They are mine and I feel like, at least with the pretty ones, I want some credit. 😉
Thank you. ❤ I'm glad you like the flower.
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Yes, I know just what you mean about wanting some credit, and so you should. Ahh…thanks Sarah, I appreciate that. But yes, it’s fun anyway to explore with photography isn’t it? You have a natural talent. I would love to really get into it oneday…but the writing comes first, always 🙂 ❤
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I’ve wrestled with this one. I see my camera as an extension of story-telling. To me, my copyright is my byline. If the photos are on one of my blogs they, and the words, are “by me.”
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Fair enough. If it’s on your blog, it’s yours. I mean, if it is yours to begin with. 😉 It’s copyrighted the moment you post it. But is that enough? Just wondering. Out loud. In writing. Also, I love Sacha’s pretty text pictures. (You do have that banner across your photos that announces the flash challenge. It’s not your name but it is something. I’ve always liked that.)
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The URL is a great idea. I think you deserve credit. You do take some amazing photos. 🙂
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Thank you. On both counts. 🙂
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Hi Sarah! I’m impressed that all your blog photos are your own. That’s awesome! I need to get out there more often and take more of my own pictures. I used to be such a shutter bug but lately I just can’t find the time. I will make a greater effort though. I loved Sacha’s post too––very helpful. 😀 xx
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Thanks! I’m a shutterbug, too. I take pictures of just about anything so, no matter where I am, I’ve got my camera (or phone) out snapping away. Sometimes the pics really aren’t that interesting. 😉 Still, I love to document. That was a great post–picture perfect. Har.
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I like how you’ve added a photo credit to the daisy image. Absolutely necessary in this age, no? I shouldn’t talk – I am a shameless stealer-of-photos from Google Images, but I always try to link to the site I “borrowed” them from.
However, you’ve given me lots to think about in your post. Thanks!
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Shameless photo-stealer! 😉 With the theme of your blog, there’s no way around that, is there? I think you’re good with the link, giving photo credit. That’s what I see most bloggers doing. But I don’t know the legalities of it all. Thanks. I kind of like my daisy. And, like I said, I’m not entering these in any contests.
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I put a copyright in the caption bar but there are some photos that are for various reasons ones I wish to keep definitely mine that I will add the writing on the photo itself. On the whole I hope that people enjoy my photos and if they wish to steal them it just means more people will enjoy them. I hope that they would credit me but if they don’t I’m not going to take them to court. When I die, without children to possibly take things I know all my photos will just go in the trash can. This way some might survive for longer in the cyber world.
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I was so hoping you’d comment on this post. You have the most unbelievable photos from your travels. I’ve seen the copyright in your caption…which is good because it doesn’t detract from your photos. Well, that’s a nice philosophy. If they want to steal them, more people will enjoy them! 😀 I’m just hoping to see them in your memoir. That way, they will never be lost.
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What I am doing is creating coffee table size books. I’ve printed 7 so far. These early ones have been to a large part experimental as I’ve been attempting to work out the best way to get text and photos together. I am picking out the best photos (the books are 60 pages). Hopefully these will be kept by nephews and nieces as I am trying to make them interesting with story and photography. The millions of photos that don’t make it I know will all be discarded. I know this has nothing to do with copyright but I have pondered long and hard over how photos can be saved. I used to have albums but all my early albums are deteriorating and rusting over. They aren’t safe on the computer as formats and programmes to read them changes along with the computer crashing, the external hard drive packing it in and the memory stick lost.
The ones that are going in my memoir I am not using on the blog (as yet anyway) or if I am I am then copyrighting on the photo itself.
I don’t know how I’d feel if I saw personal photos being used on someone else’s site – I’ll have to cross that if it happens.
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What?! I am so out of touch. Where are these books? I’d love to see those. Good to hear the photos in your memoir aren’t on your site. Just saying. Best way, in my opinion.
Ah, yes. “Real” photographs. Agreed. Mine are all getting cruddy but they’re not safe online or on that “Hon! Where did that external hard drive go?”, either. How do you save them? I suppose in your mind’s eye is the short answer. Memories. But as far as something tangible and something to share with someone who wasn’t there… I don’t know. And personal images? That’s why I try not to use too many or ones that are too personal. They could wind up anywhere. I had to think twice (thrice) before I posted the hospital / “Space Mermaid” photo.
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My understanding is that you just have to put a copy right statement on the blog that is visible (mine is in the footer) that protects all material on the blog. According to WordPress. it is a a major crisis over at Tumblr (Protect the Creator) and I totally support the effort. But the reality is, if it is put out there on the Web, there are always going to be people who steal. I’d rather let them steal than blemish the photo. But then again I’m not trying to make a living with my photography (or my writing).
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Technically, everything on your blog is yours. Period. As soon as you hit “publish”, it’s copyrighted to you, I believe. That said, you’re right. If someone wants to take something (your photos or your writing) without permission or credit, they will. It’s unfortunate. I also thought about the fact that text might ruin the photo but I’ve seen so many now that don’t look bad and others that are a backdrop for the words, that I’m not sure anymore. Like you, I’m not trying to make a living my these photos. Just window dressing for posts. 🙂
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This is so interesting to run across as I am struggling with this myself – to put a url on or not to put a url on? I have used a couple of images over the years that aren’t mine – most are. And I used to put a blog name on them (not a url) and now I’m just not sure what to do! I recently learned that if you want to be “taken seriously” that you shouldn’t put watermarks on your art – and then there’s issues with magazines/websites using your images in a feature if you’ve watermarked them. It’s an interesting conundrum and I feel like people get a little too “borrow-happy” and then get too annoyed with having to ask permission – but that’s just my rambling thoughts.
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I thought about putting a blog name on them instead. But then people would be all “what the hell is Lemon Shark?” or something like that. 😉 People probably still say that. Also thought of a copyright–I’ve seen that around. But I decided, if anything, I’d put the url. It’s not pretty, that’s for sure. It would be much better without the wordpress.com but, eh, it’s just a little picture on a little blog. I don’t know about not being taken seriously… That sounds snobby. Again, I’m not a photographer. And people do get “borrow-happy” online. If they want to steal a photo of mine badly enough to go through the process of covering up or cropping out my url, there’s not much I can do. (Technically, everything on this blog is copyrighted the second I hit “publish” but that doesn’t stop people taking.) Lots of people grab photos. And like Bobbi said, writers who wouldn’t think of taking another person’s words take their photos all the time.
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I’m torn about the wording on the picture. I find it visually takes away from the beauty of the photo itself. However, I am also frustrated with all the pics that are willy-nilly (yes, I said willy-nilly) stolen and passed around the web. Writers who would never think to plagiarize, steal photos left and right. *end rant*
Thank you for being so inventive and taking your own photos.
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Thanks. ❤
I'm torn, too. Which is why I wrote this. I think you're right. Text takes away from the beauty of the photo. (Though some, like the links in my post, make it look good.) But I'm not entering these in a photography contest. They're on my humble, little blog. (Also, I have unsullied copies of them still on my computer.) And, holy crap with the writers stealing photos all willy-nilly! Honestly!
P.S. LOVE the goldfish drawings on your blog.
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Hi Sarah,
I know Sue Vincent. I do not watermark my photos but I do take all my own photos and type my blog name on them while in Canva. Thanks for visiting my site today. I am glad you liked my post “How to Use Pinterest and Still Have Time To Breath.”
Funny, I am reviewing a book for someone on where to get stock photos; the timing of your post is coincidental.
Janice
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That’s how I’ve started placing text — typing my blog on them. The name would be better than the long url but, eh, that’s okay. Yes, I love Sue’s photos with poetry on them. I’ve seen that done many times but especially like how she does it. (I might take a look at Pinterest but am trying to limit social media time. Will think about it.) 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
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