Author: Peter Martin Jones  

Well, in general the answer is no! A determined and experienced webmaster can usually find some way of using your precious pictures in any way they want. However, there are some measures you can take to make it very difficult for your images to be stolen (or abused) as follows:

• Do not upload anything to the web that you would not like anyone else other than your intended audience to view.
• Upload your images to secure photo-hosting sites -the ones that require a log in name and a password to gain access to the site.
• Many images on a web page can be right clicked and from the drop down menu, you instantly have the option to copy them or to save the image on your computer - it's that easy. However, you can disable the drop down menu that will prevent people copying your work. It does mean you have to use some JavaScript or add some html code to your web page. There are some some disadvantages to this as well ,so you should decide for yourself if want to do this. Type in "disabling right hand click" in to your browser to see the pros and cons.
• Use a watermark that can be seen on the image. Some image editing programmes have a water marking facility on them. Alternatively, in Photoshop elements or Paint shop Pro, use the text tool to write something like "Copyright of A. Smith" or something similar on the image. Now when you try this, make sure you do not put the watermark somewhere where it can be easily cropped out. For example in the sky or any similar area. It must be placed in an area in the main part of the picture, which will make it very difficult for someone to remove without impairing the image. Only the most determined copyright thief would try to attempt this.
• Use hidden water marking that avoids embedded text as mentioned above. This has the distinct advantage of the watermark being invisible when you upload it; however, if anyone tries to copy and crop your image or manipulate it any way, the watermark immediately appears. This requires special software from Digimarc or similar vendors. It will also track illegal use of your image anywhere in the world. If you place a large number of images on the web and you want to be sure of protecting them, this software can be recommended. Ok now for the downside. The use of this software costs from around £100 (0) per year to use but if you really value your images or you are a semi or full professional photographer (or indeed an artist) it is well worth it.
• Now for the simplest method of all. Make your uploaded pictures as small and as highly compressed as possible. This can be achieved by using Photoshop elements or Paintshop Pro. Just resize the images and choose the highest compression available. I know this will make your images smaller and you will lose some image quality but nobody in their right mind would try to copy and use them. Simple but effective! The higher the quality and the larger the picture size, the more they will be targeted and vice-versa.

In general - think before you upload or post images to the web. In particular, avoid images of children, which could be manipulated, and - well you know what I mean.

If your images are special, important or in particular, valuable, then use the watermarking method. If you are a semi or full time professional then you should strongly consider the Digimarc or similar system to protect your work. This is undoubtedly the best method.

If you want to see how easy for people to use your work, type the following into a Google search box "protecting pictures on the web" or "avoiding theft of pictures online" etc. You will then see how big a problem it is.