Watermarks in PSE 7 - Help!

[Shelley]

Help! I'm trying to create a watermark for my photos. I've followed this link here and used the step by step tutorial. However, I didn't end up with the result shown in the tutorial.

I don't know what I did wrong, but obviously something, because instead of a gradient transparent bar across my photo (where the copyright and name would be), I had a solid (yet gradient in some cases) bar.

I've worked at this all afternoon, starting back at step 1 several times. I don't know if they are using a different version or even different program (maybe they aren't using Elements) than I am...but obviously I am not doing this right.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Mad Aussie]

Making something like that should work in all versions you've mentioned.

I've quickly looked at the tutorial and that's easy enough but you could do it easier.

Simply open the photo and then make a new layer. Make sure you are clicked on that layer.

Use the rectangular marquee tool and create the mask (dotted lines) where you want your watermark.

Select the gradient tool and choose the black to clear option

Drag that across from right to left in your mask

Adjust the opacity of the layer until it's how you want.

Obviously you could use different colours by adjusting the colours used by the gradient.

Lastly just type your signature/copyright into the mask.

[Shelley]

Making something like that should work in all versions you've mentioned.

I've quickly looked at the tutorial and that's easy enough but you could do it easier.

Simply open the photo and then make a new layer. Make sure you are clicked on that layer.

Use the rectangular marquee tool and create the mask (dotted lines) where you want your watermark.

Select the gradient tool and choose the black to clear option

Drag that across from right to left in your mask

Adjust the opacity of the layer until it's how you want.

Obviously you could use different colours by adjusting the colours used by the gradient.

Lastly just type your signature/copyright into the mask.

Thanks so much! I'll try that later on this evening. Your instructions sound much clearer to me than the other ones - I was getting confused at what they meant by mask...I couldn't find anywhere that said "mask", lol.

Thanks again!

[Mad Aussie]

They were talking about adding a 'layer mask' which is a great skill to learn. If you read my sharpening thread you'll see I do use them also.

That way above is a tad simplier I think ... see how you go

[Marko]

Simple is usually best. Thanks for sharing Ma - I'll try this one out myself at some point!