Watermarking Your Photos: A Tutorial

[suzyjazz]

That's great Donna! Does anyone know if this can be done in Elements? Surely I'm not the only "loser" here using Elements instead of the real deal... I don't have a menu option called "Define Brush Preset." Instead I have one called "Define Brush" and it popped open a box that showed my logo (squished) with a textbox next to it for name. I entered something but it doesn't seem to have done anything with it.

[jonney]

I would like to use this method but am having a couple problems.

Currently I have a multilayered .psd with my logo that I open when I'm editing. I select all, copy merged, and then paste it onto my web sized photo. I then move it to where I want it. It would be quicker to use the brush method but when I make a brush out of my .psd, I lose the effects I have on my font. If I flatten the image before I save it as a brush, I lose the transparent background.

Ideas?

jf

[Toad]

Originally Posted by jonney

I would like to use this method but am having a couple problems.

Currently I have a multilayered .psd with my logo that I open when I'm editing. I select all, copy merged, and then paste it onto my web sized photo. I then move it to where I want it. It would be quicker to use the brush method but when I make a brush out of my .psd, I lose the effects I have on my font. If I flatten the image before I save it as a brush, I lose the transparent background.

Ideas?

jf

Merge all the layers, and then create the brush?

[z-monster]

Originally Posted by carrbowl

I can adjust the size ok...it just never looks like the right size one the photo is printed. Sometimes it's too big, and when I print wallets, it's always too small???

Have you ever used the Ruler or Grid on your workflow? After your image is opened go to View, then point your mouse to Show then a new menu box will show and then select Grid. Also hit the buttons Ctrl and ' to toggle the grid off and on.

Not knowing your workflow I think this might help you the best along with the ruler which is also under the View menu to adjust the size of your watermark until you figure a better way.

Also give this tutorial by Matt Kloskowski of Layers magazine a view. It may or may not help you but it does offer some insite on how it can be done.

http://www.layersmagazine.com/subtle-watermarking.html

[J Eddington]

I have never been able to make this work. I always get a blank brush!

[jonney]

Originally Posted by Toad

Merge all the layers, and then create the brush?

only the "flatten image" command is available.

jf

[esdramaqueen]

Thanks, Donna! I'll try this. I've been wanting to create an action for this very thing, so maybe going the brush route will suite me until I can make the action.
Thanks for taking the time to share,
E.

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by J Eddington

I have never been able to make this work. I always get a blank brush!

Janice - are you flattening your image? You need to be on a flattened image so that it gets 'everything' on that layer as your 'brush preset'.

Cajungaltx added 0 Minutes and 36 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by jonney

only the "flatten image" command is available.

jf

That's fine too - you can do either - as long as everything is on 'one' layer for the brush preset to select.

Cajungaltx added 2 Minutes and 29 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by jonney

I would like to use this method but am having a couple problems.

Currently I have a multilayered .psd with my logo that I open when I'm editing. I select all, copy merged, and then paste it onto my web sized photo. I then move it to where I want it. It would be quicker to use the brush method but when I make a brush out of my .psd, I lose the effects I have on my font. If I flatten the image before I save it as a brush, I lose the transparent background.

Ideas?

jf

Jonathon - anything 'white' is not going to show on the brush - or it will be very 'opaque' - depending on how you set it up.

Can you show me a copy of your logo?

[J Eddington]

[QUOTE=Cajungaltx;963213]Janice - are you flattening your image? You need to be on a flattened image so that it gets 'everything' on that layer as your 'brush preset'.

Yep, it was flat from the beginning. Tired different colored logos, neither show up. I get a brush that has no size.

If I forgo my real logo and just type in the name it comes out.

[jonney]

Thanks for your help Donna.

The top logo is the one made with the brush. The bottom one was copy merged/pasted from my .psd logo file.



You can see that I'm losing the font effects in the brush version.

jf

[iCe]

Originally Posted by carrbowl

I've done that...now if someone could make me smart enough to get the size right on every photo...I'll be soooo happpy!!!

Select the brush and then use the [ key to decrease the size and ] key to increase the size until you like what you see... then click where you want it to be.

{ and } are the shifted versions of [ and ]... shifting doesn't work.

If I missed this I apologize. You can change the color of the brush. Personally I like black or white so I hit the D key and then X to cycle between black and white. You can use the color picker to select whatever color you like though...

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by jonney

Thanks for your help Donna.

The top logo is the one made with the brush. The bottom one was copy merged/pasted from my .psd logo file.



You can see that I'm losing the font effects in the brush version.

jf

Jonathon -
Do this - create a background layer - leave it empty.
Create a 2nd layer - and put your text on it. Do the effects that you want on your font on that layer.
Make sure in your layers palette you have THAT layer selected, and do a brush preset - I did a quick one to make sure it'd work - and the effects show up:

[Cajungaltx]

[QUOTE=J Eddington;963348]

Originally Posted by Cajungaltx

Janice - are you flattening your image? You need to be on a flattened image so that it gets 'everything' on that layer as your 'brush preset'.

Yep, it was flat from the beginning. Tired different colored logos, neither show up. I get a brush that has no size.

If I forgo my real logo and just type in the name it comes out.

Janice - email me your logo - I'll create a brush for you and email it back. ;-)
my username at yahoo.com

[Stifled_1]

I will be getting a copy of Photoshop CS4 soon, hopefully very soon. Creating a logo and making a watermark is the 1st item on my list. This thread is very helpful.

Well let you know how it goes or if I run into any issues.

Donna thank you for starting this thread.