How many protect their gallery pics?

**DJsDetails** · 10-25-2010, 01:58 PM

More and more clients I talk with are saying that they`re finding me through the web and yellowpages and that I need to improve my site with photos. A client said to me, "Reviews rock but photo proof seals the deal". This is where it all started.
So I was talking with Joe from Superior Shine via email just discussing some ideas when I realized I`d seen a pic that was on his site before. Come to find out, one of my local competitors is using pics from Joe`s gallery as their own. It`s unfortunate that we`d have to do this but how many of yall are protecting your work via watermarks or some other method? I just started doing it myself by adding a logo to my pics but it surely is a pain in the ass. It sucks havin` to do it but I really don`t want other detailers in my area stealing my work. Especially if "photo proof seals the deal". How xxxxty would that be for a competitor to get work over me by using my photos. That`s like being shot with your own gun.

**Garry Dean** · 10-25-2010, 02:09 PM

The balls of some people just amazes me.

Good luck with that!

**C. Charles Hahn** · 10-25-2010, 04:01 PM

One thing you can do is if you ever see someone stealing one of your pics and you can prove it`s yours originally (always save the original file from your camera, the EXIF data can help you prove ownership... also keeping records of the vehicles you detail is a good idea) just contact the pirate`s hosting provider and file a copyright complaint. Usually the hosting company will either force the person to take the pics down, or they will shut their site down until compliance is met.

**black bart** · 10-25-2010, 05:26 PM

It really sucks that people resort to that but even with your name on it I think someone good with photo shop can probably remove it.

That is why I would put much more weight on a good referral rather than a photo.

With photo shop you can make it look anyway you want.

**Scott P** · 10-25-2010, 06:05 PM

If they are good enough to use Photoshop to remove a logo, then they are probably good enough to enhance their own. A watermark or logo would be all I would do.

**DJsDetails** · 10-25-2010, 06:52 PM

Well putting my logo on there is just a deterent. I know some a capable of removing my logo and putting their own but honestly, if they`re looking to steal a photo, they`ll probably overlook mine just because of the hassle of removing it. It`d be easier just to look up another detailer without any protection on their photos.

**black bart** · 10-25-2010, 09:01 PM

Originally Posted by DJsDetails

Well putting my logo on there is just a deterent. I know some a capable of removing my logo and putting their own but honestly, if they`re looking to steal a photo, they`ll probably overlook mine just because of the hassle of removing it. It`d be easier just to look up another detailer without any protection on their photos.

I Agree I was just pointing out that in the digital world it is easy to alter a photo.

I just installed the new CS-5 on my pc now I need to learn to use it.

**DJsDetails** · 10-25-2010, 09:20 PM

A quick tid bit of info on how I do it is I have my logo open in CS4 as its own file. It has no background and is an unlocked layer. I then just open the detail file I want my logo on. Click the tab up top to return to the logo file. Grab the logo image and drag it to the detail file tab and it transfers the image. Then place and size as desired. Although these instructions are vague, once you get the hang of working with photoshop, you`ll understand and its really easy. Hope it helps Bart. PM me if you have any questions, I`d be happy to help.

**GothamAuto** · 10-27-2010, 07:17 AM

It`s amazing me what people will try to pull off as their own work. I have gone to other local "detailer`s" web pages and seen pictures of $100,000 (+) cars photographed perfectly next to palm trees and oceans. Really? In Connecticut out of your little rat garage?
The best was I found a page where in the business`s gallery they had a picture of the 2011 Corvette Stingray Concept (Sideswipe for those of us that are Transformers fans), and the car was parked on a beach with perfect sand with Roman Columns in the background. Idiots.

I put a quick note at the bottom of my page saying that I was against using stock photography, and that I am very proud of the work I do, so please don`t steal my sh*t.

Also, just keep in mind that if someone needs to resort to stealing photos of work that you have done, they are probably not the most professional of people in other areas of their business as well. People will see when their Toyota Camry comes back all swirled and hologramed that they probably don`t have the skill to work on a Porsche 911. I would not spend too much time concerning yourself with it.

Of course taking pictures with your sign in the background helps. It would be very difficult for someone to pass this photo off as their own:

And finally, take pictures of your reflection. Again, it would be very difficult for someone to pass themselves off as me:

**DJsDetails** · 10-27-2010, 11:38 AM

Very true good points. That was kind of the situation too. He was using a pic from Joe of 7 Lambo`s lined up. I`ve lived in Orlando since middle school now and have seen only one Lambo that wasn`t just passing through; let alone 7 all at once just happening to get their cars detailed by the same guy. I call BS.

I have a couple of the reflection. They`re reflecting me or my truck with my vinyl work on it. I`ll have to start doing that more.