Can watermark be removed?

[YellowHaze]

Here's a question for those with Photoshop knowhow. Can a watermark be removed? Here is one photo I am interested in having cleaned-up.

PS. I am an avid amateur photographer, not for money, just for fun. I prefer to take my own photos. However, I can't take one of myself (pic above of me with my sister during recent track event- too cool!).

 

[oscar_driver]

DANG, that one is HUGE, you can try to clean yourself in Photoshop, as far as I know, there's not a "automatic" way to do it ...... but is NOT WORTH the time, it's easier to just contact the photographer adn ask him for a low res pic .... or with a watermark @ least smaller .. good luck

Oscar

 

[docjohn]

Lol, so for a few lousy bucks you don't want to pay the guy who sat trackside in the swelter for hours taking pics and posting them on his site.......

 

[synth19]

It would take HOURS to remove that watermark, and it still won't look right. Some photographers are very sensitive about this. Removing watermarks isn't considered very ethical to many. I would not attempt to remove it if I were you. Instead, go to the photographer's website and purchase the picture.

 

[Hapa88]

Or just bill him for taking your picture. That's how all the "characters" at Hollywood & Highland make a living. . haha. .I'd just charge him the purchase price and call it even :biggrin:

 

[VegasSpeed]

Seriously, just buy the picture off him. I'm sure you can afford it if you are tracking your car. Plus, those photographers need the money. Give the guy a gig and maybe he will help you out and take more photos of your car.

 

[Dtrigg]

LOL. I had a similar situation. A guy did a photo essay on Santa Barbara and published a book. My sail boat was on the cover of his book. I contacted him and asked if I could purchase a copy of the photo. He told me to pound sand and if I wanted the photo, buy the book. About a year later I asked for proposals for some photo work which was worth about $35K. He submitted a proposal. I called him and related how he refused to let me purchase a photo of my boat and I had to purchase his book. Needless to say, he blew a $35K job because he was a putz and wouldn't sell me a $25 photo.

Contact the person that took the photo. Not all people that are into photography are as anal as the guy I had to deal with.

Good luck.

 

[oscar_driver]

needless to say, he blew a $35k job because he was a putz and wouldn't sell me a $25 photo.


Good luck.

love it!

 

[docjohn]

LOL. I had a similar situation. A guy did a photo essay on Santa Barbara and published a book. My sail boat was on the cover of his book. I contacted him and asked if I could purchase a copy of the photo. He told me to pound sand and if I wanted the photo, buy the book. About a year later I asked for proposals for some photo work which was worth about $35K. He submitted a proposal. I called him and related how he refused to let me purchase a photo of my boat and I had to purchase his book. Needless to say, he blew a $35K job because he was a putz and wouldn't sell me a $25 photo.

Contact the person that took the photo. Not all people that are into photography are as anal as the guy I had to deal with.

Good luck.

interesting story, but this is a completely different animal.These guys are allowed trackside by the organizers of the hpde for the express purpose of selling action shots to the participants.

 

[Dtrigg]

interesting story, but this is a completely different animal.These guys are allowed trackside by the organizers of the hpde for the express purpose of selling action shots to the participants.

Thanks for the information. Even more of a reason to contact the photographer and pay for the photo, in my opinion,

 

[PhAnToM]

1. Yes it is possible to remove watermark, but it takes a lot of time (below is a sample of a quick 5 min touch up)

2. Because the image is low-res it becomes very difficult to work with, you can see that some of the details are already covered by the watermark.

3. I do not encourage this process. It's highly unethical and discredits the photographers work unfairly. (As you can see I did not attempt to go further, fully removing the watermark. But posted just to answer the OP question of removing watermarks).

4. At the very least, attempt to contact the photographer and ask if he/she can sell you a copy without the watermark. If however he/she will not sell it to you, introduce the idea of having the watermark removed professionally and ask for his/her permission if it's ok to do so. (Sometimes they are nice about it and will even burn you a copy on a disk).

5. Im not 100% sure on this, but I believe you do however hold some rights to this photo because it is your car and it is clearly showing your license plate. He would have to take it down if you wish he didn't post the picture.

Cheers mate! Goodluck!

 

[HIJACKER]

4. At the very least, attempt to contact the photographer and ask if he/she can sell you a copy without the watermark. If however he/she will not sell it to you, introduce the idea of having the watermark removed professionally and ask for his/her permission if it's ok to do so. (Sometimes they are nice about it and will even burn you a copy on a disk).

The photographer will either pass him a copy for free or sell a digital copy for personal use. Which he elects do to, is his option. However, the watermark is there for a reason - which is to avoid copyright infringement and give photo credits when using a free version and encourage a sale. After all - WE (I'm a photographer) do spend thousands on camera equipment.

5. Im not 100% sure on this, but I believe you do however hold some rights to this photo because it is your car and it is clearly showing your license plate. He would have to take it down if you wish he didn't post the picture.

He holds absolutely NO rights to the photo. If the photographer was given permission to stand on private property or is standing on public property, he owns the photo ENTIRELY. If you don't want your tagplate showing at the racetrack, you take the damn thing off.

I'm willing to bet that the release he signed at the track includes language as it pertains to media.

Events I've covered:
http://www.scc-photography.com/Events/MIR-091118/10256339_LA7eP

http://www.scc-photography.com/Events/WDC-AutocrossSolo2-11-11-09/9930752_r9ZZX

All events from 2009:
http://www.scc-photography.com/Events

 

[YellowHaze]

Thanks for the comments, guys. I understand some photographers protect their images for monetary reasons. Not me. I post every picture I shoot for the taking. Everyone has an opportunity to make a buck. I just wanted to make a cool birthday card for my sister. Seems like Photoshop has limitations.

Thanks, phantom, for your effort.

 

[PhAnToM]

HIJACKER: Thanks for the input. :smile:

YellowHaze: No problem. If you wish to have a "personally taken" photo of your car that you need touching up, just let me know and I'd be glad to help.

Cheers!

 

[synth19]

Maybe slightly offtopic. But I'm not even sure what's so great about the pic in question. If he didn't crop off the rear of your car, the pic would have been slightly better. This pic would have definitely been on the cutting room floor if I took it. If you want some action/rolling shots, Talk to some local photogs and get a pro shoot done!

 

[oscar_driver]

Maybe slightly offtopic. But I'm not even sure what's so great about the pic in question.

:biggrin: +1

Other than there's a cool yellow NSX yeah -although I am not fan of the black headlight covers, for some reason with the bra kinda looks cool- ...

Oscar

 

[ImolaOrange03]

As a photographer, may I offer you some suggestions....

Offer him a trade. Your time for his time.

I.E.

1.) Offer your car up to be photographed by him.

2.) Take him out for a "show N tell" about your car

3.) Take him for a nice spirited drive.

4.) Just pay him. The photo has no real value to anyone but you. He's using it for his site until he comes across better and newer photos since he has to constantly upgrade his portfolio.

5.) If this photo was taken in a private racetrack, there might be some "modeling" rights that you have. He "may" need permission to use your car photo on his website.

Never hurts to be a nice guy. He may surprise you. But removing his watermark is a no-no.