It's A New Year; Make The Necessary Changes In Your Camera And Your Editing Software

Composite in Photoshop CC of 8 images of the same gull closely following the ferry boat on which I was riding.
(click to enlarge)
Fujifilm X-T2, 16-55mm f/2.8 lens @ 55mm; 1/900th and 1/1100th sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 200

It's almost another new year.  That means you have to remember to write the new date on your checks!  For me it was always a challenge the first few weeks.  It is also the time to change © Copyright settings so your images are better protected.  Here are three things to consider.

First, on January 1 in your editing software if it allows it, create and/or change your metadata settings in to reflect a 2018 copyright.  In Lightroom Classic CC, you can find where to do that after pressing the "Import" button on the lower left of the Library module, then look in the right hand panel under "Apply During Import."  You have three options in this panel, Develop Settings, Metadata Settings and Keywords.  Under Metadata settings, create a preset that will automatically apply your copyright information as you import all of your images.  If you already have one set for 2017, you can avoid filling in all of the data again by editing your current information and saving it under a new name for 2018.  That way, everything you import into LR has your copyright information included in the metadata.

Second, check your camera's time and date settings to ensure they are accurate.  Camera clocks are notorious for gaining or losing time and the new year is a good time to check and reset them.  If you use more than one camera, it can make a difference when using time to sequence your images.  I think it is interesting that the camera manufacturers can create manual shutters accurate to 1/8000th sec. and electronic shutters accurate to 1/32,000 sec. but can't get a simple internal clocks to be much more accurate than they are.  I reset mine a few times a year and they are always off.

Third, change your cameras' copyright settings to reflect ©2018.  If your camera is capable and you haven't previously done it, go in and put your name in the section that reflects the Artist and/or Copyright owner, then remember to turn that setting on so it is embedded in your image files right inside your camera.

Lastly, there is one other thing you may want to consider if you value your images.  You may also want to look into registering your images with the Copyright Office in your country.  I register my images twice a year, uploading thousands at a time.  In the United States, it costs $50 for each submission to basically register as many images as you want.  In the U.S., here is the link to the copyright office where you can create an account and go through the process of registering your images.  Once you have worked your way through the process, it is pretty straightforward and easy as you can save much of the information you first enter for future submissions.  You then don't have to re-enter all of your information each time.  There are a couple of books out there that can help you through the process the first time, but it is relatively easy.  Don't be intimidated by it.

In the United States, you automatically own the copyright to your images as soon as you press the shutter unless you waive your ownership in writing.  However, being that many of you like to post your images to 500PX, Flickr, Pinterest as well as many of you having your own site where you display your images, owning the copyright and protecting them legally seem to be two different sides of one law.  Yes, you own the copyright if someone steals one of your images that is posted online or misuses an image that you have sold or given them, but it is very hard to collect any damages unless you actually register your copyright.  Most lawyers won't take your case.  In the mean time, someone can be making a lot of money off stealing images and you, the artist, can only sit back, send them a "take down" notice and ask them to stop.  Register your images if you really value them.

In any case, the new year brings changes and I hope this post is a reminder to make those changes in a timely manner.

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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