I attended an Artist to Artist event this morning at the War Memorial for artists with work in the Ode to Mother Earth show. This is the second of these that they have offered and I have attended. It was great getting to talk shop with other artists and hear their techniques and tips as well as share my own process. One of the things that was discussed a lot was photography and editing, printing and framing your photos. After the discussion I decided to edit a photo I took yesterday of some uninvited visitors in a garden at Wayne State. This particular shot didn’t need too much cropping beyond adjusting the aspect ratio to print an 8×10 or 16×20.

We also discussed the pros and cons of watermarking you digital images before sharing on social media or websites. As you can clearly see if you have been following this blog or have seen me on instagram, I do not watermark my images. My personal take on art and art purchases is primarily about connections. When I buy art from another artist it holds a meaning for me beyond just a printed picture; it is about human connection. If someone takes a screenshot of my art and uses it for their wallpaper or prints it and puts it in a frame, it’s not ideal but what can you do. I encourage everyone to connect with artists whose work you enjoy. If you like it and want it for these purposes or another, ask them. They may work with you and give you a way to enjoy their art and respect the creator of the art.

What is your opinion on watermarking your images before sharing online?