Sharing While Protecting DCHS Photographs:

Pixel & DPI Sizing | webp Photo Format | Watermark Protection | Download Options

I would like to share some of my thoughts and ideas on the DCHS photo collection – such as permissions and sale of prints. From the membership numbers of social media history groups one can conclude there is great interest in viewing historic photos of Superior and Douglas County. I am assuming DCHS has an extensive collection of such images but have no way to share while also protecting these photos. I can only imagine how many generous donations plus thousands of volunteer hours have gone into your collection. You may currently have great expertise on photo editing and processing within your staff. But just in case you do not I am interested in meeting to discuss future possibilities. The following is an example of what I would like to discuss.

Protecting images can be done in four basic ways. Coding, resizing, formatting, and watermarks. With coding publishers can block the 'right-click' function of an image. But eliminating the 'save image as' function only stops the amateur. Anyone with a little Internet browser knowledge can go to the source code and still save the file. Therefore, this method is not really worth the effort. Reducing pixel size is the greatest protection method - with a bonus of speeding up page loads as well. Photo-quality printing requires 300 pixels per inch while screen viewing only uses 72 pixels per inch. This discrepancy allows webmasters to compress images down to the point they cannot be printed larger than a postage stamp yet still be viewable online. Further compression takes place by converting images to the new .webp format rather than the typical .jpg, .gif, .tiff, .bmp, and .png formats web images are usually published. This both reduces file size and decreases editability - making stolen files quite useless. And finally, quite obviously, adding watermarks and branding to images will help with protection.


Sample Image Protection

The drone image I have taken below is published full size, 5490 x 3110 pixels. With a simple right-click this image can be saved and printed up to 18" x 10" photo-quality. The file size is 4.8(MB):


Scaled down significantly the photo below is 800 x 450 pixels. The resulting print size is only 2.5" x 1.5". Even for web use it is limited. PC or laptop screen size is 1920 pixels x 1080 pixels. The quality of this image is not enough for even wallpaper or screensavers. The file size is only 135(KB):


With all the new A.I. photo editing technologies there is potential 800px wide images could be blown up to full HD (1920 px wide) with minimal quality loss. The added protection of converting to .webp format makes such editing techniques far more difficult. With this coversion the file size of the image below is now only 72(KB):


To further protect a watermark can be added to the .webp image - sample below:


Branding and credits should be added to all printed images. This can also be added to the web version either in combination with or separately from watermarks:


DCHS Store

Using the techniques above you could add some of your best collection photos to the DCHS Store without concern of images being stolen. Selling prints may become much more common if website visitors can view a selection of available images.


CAD Modeling & Informational Video

On a more personal basis - I am an expert in CAD modeling, rendering, and animation. Outside of my client work I enjoy honing my skills with projects I find historically interesting. Below is the 5-minute informational video I created about the Duluth Aerial Ferry Bridge. Also below is the current progress of a CAD model and video about the Superior Millennial Arch and the historic Roth's department store. My desire is to go further with this video adding informational narration and possibly adding more area buildings from around that intersection circa 1914. Overall, I am looking for any available photos, blueprints, or other information that could enhance the finished product. If desired, the final video could be added as a DCHS video exhibit. If you have a DCHS YouTube channel it could be published there as well.