Thursday 10 May 2007

TIP - Copyright

This post is in response to a question by phaseoutgirl (Cecilia) who hosts a blog called 'Dance with the Sun' (what a terrific name; doesn't it just invite you to visit?). She wished to know how to post a copyright note at the bottom of her pictures, similar to how David manages to copyright his own pictures. So let's deal with that first:

Thyson being introduced to a baby lovebird to remind him it isn't a snack!Thyson being introduced to a baby lovebird!
Photograph © 2007 Terry Fletcher

 

Follow the normal steps you use to post a message and an image, by using the 'Compose' (WYSIWYG) editing window. After you've inserted the picture and arranged it to display where you want it, hit return once and type in your copyright information. Then highlight those words and select 'center' and the text 'font-size-colour' you want it to display in (note: If you didn't already know, you can get the © symbol by simply using the key combination "Alt+0169" on your number pad - doesn't work with the numbers on the top row of your keyboard!).

Done!

Not one to stop with just a single example (hey, that's my weakness and you'll just have to put up with it) I decided to add these, too:

 

 

If you use a graphics programme that supports 'layers' (Photoshop, etc.), you can type in information as in the example above and superimpose it over the original picture.

  • the first is Cecilia's copyright info on a transparent background so that it can be copy/pasted over any of her photographs just by lifting it off this page (go for it, Cecilia!).

  • the second is displaying the same information over a gradient background composed of the colours from the background colour of my page and that of Cecilia's page to show that, regardless of the background, the lettering always shows through clearly.

  • the third displays the same info over a gradient of white leading to the background colour of Cecilia's page background, showing that regardless of what the background colours are, the lettering will always show up clearly.

If you use this idea you should make the lettering white (hex #FFFFFF) and give the layer drop shadow properties of the following:

Opacity=100% | Angle=120ยบ | Distance=1px | Spread=0% | Size=1px

and you will find that wherever you place the copyright information on your picture it will always show through.

That's all, folks!

back to the top

 

3 comments:

phaseoutgirl said...

Wow Terry,

Thank you very much! I actually already tried highlighting and centering the text, but it just destroyed the whole layout since it moved the whole post!

Well, I shall try this, and use one of those that you have made for me already.

cheers!!
Cecilia

phaseoutgirl said...

Hi Terry,

It's me again. I tried the centering one, and it seems to have worked with the first photo. It is more dificult with photos that are on one side of the page, since the text runs alongside it, and when I center it, it is not "recognised" as a separate text, but rather part of the whole post. Anyway not sure whether I am making sense.

I don't use photoshop, but would actually want to be able to use the "superimpose" option you presented. Maybe I need to install this too.. Hmmmm.

thanks again,

Cecilia

Fletch said...

Cecilia,

I'll have a closer look at the different 'layout' scenarios's and update you. But first, give me an idea about how you go about posting and editing by givng me short answers to these short questions:

1. Do you use the WYSIWYG editor to insert your post, or do you use the HTML option?

2. What graphics programme do you currently use?

I may be able to offer 'simple' solutions to your predicament.