Photo How To

Are you worried about someone stealing the images you post on the Internet? This is a common concern and today's video from the Adorama TV YouTube channel provides several great tips for protecting your hard-earned work—whether you're an amateur or an experienced pro.  These guidelines pertain to images you share on social media sites, via an online portfolio, and elsewhere on the Internet.

Instructor David Bergman is a highly acclaimed pro with an eclectic range of imagery from sports photos, celebrity portraits, live concert photographs, and more. This episode is his response to a question submitted to the Ask David Bergman website where anyone than pose a query on popular photography topics.

According to Bergman, "Here in the United States you own the copyright to a photo as soon as you push the shutter button on the camera to take the picture." There are a few notable exceptions, like if you're a full-time employee and shooting for work, or if you intentionally sign your rights away. "But for the most part you're allowed to control the use of your work."

Bergman isn't a lawyer and his intent is not to provide legal advice, but rather to explain simple steps you can take to keep your imagery safe. Some photographers are under the misconception that downsizing phots for the Web is all that's necessary for getting the job done, but Bergman explains why this practice can impart a false sense of security if that's all you do.

It really shouldn't matter whether your concern is getting paid, or you simply don’t want someone else to gain recognition by sharing your work. Here's how Bergman explains the benefits of downsizing originals to 1,200x800 pixels: "These smaller files are plenty big enough to look good on a web browser or a phone," but the images will lose detail and appear pixelated when printed for high resolution.

This notion of using low-res photos online is merely Bergman's opening salvo for safeguarding  your imagery, so pay close attention to his other protective tips. Your piece-of-mind will significantly increase by following his pro advice.

There's much more to learn about all things photographic on the Adorama TV YouTube channel, so pay a visit when you have time. And consider posting questions of your own on the very popular Ask David Bergman website. where you can also read his answers to queries from other photographers like you.