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Get a camera that embeds all the pertinent information in the EXIF data, such as your name, copyright info, camera model, serial number, date taken, sequence number, camera settings, location, etc. You can also do this in programs like Photoshop.
Then save an archive version of your photo with the all the EXIF data intact.
It's true that this EXIF info can be stripped out or lost, especially if you post on the internet, but since you have an archived version of the original file in your possession, you have proof that you created the original image.
You can also put a copyright notice and copyprotect (prevent right-click downloads) of your images by publishing them on Flickr, which dates the image and displays the EXIF info. Thus, it's a public record of your ownership of the image.
As a last resort, putting your images for sale in microstock public databases like istockphoto or bigstockphoto will also help cement your copyright and ownership credentials. I've made nearly $5000 over the past 6 years having my photos in both of these sites. The only drawback with microstock is that your photos thus become non-exclusive and you often have no idea of how or where your photos are being used.
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