behind the picture: process makes perfect

1Behind the Picture:

Process Makes Perfect

Yearbook content is arranged using three common coverage approaches:• traditional sections• chronological presentation• blended coverage

1.1Where the Story Starts: Generating Assignments

The best yearbook photographers are always thinking about how every photograph contributes to the story being communicated.


A yearbook spread presents an overall, broad topic. The best photos capture a specific aspect of the topic called an angle.


An event is often part of the coverage, but the event itself is generally not the topic.


A good photo assignment doesn’t dictate:• picture shapes• photo content


But, picking out your page layout (page surfer) at the beginning stages of your work, can help you know how many

pictures and what types of pictures (how many horizontal vs. vertical) you need.

This is not to say that you will only take that many pictures, but it gives you an idea of what to shoot for. I believe a good rule of

thumb is to figure that only 10% of the pictures you take will be useable.

1.3On Assignment: Aiming for the Best

The best photos occur when the photographer have a variety of lenses and compositional techniques:• close-up and super close-ups• medium shots• wide-angle shots• long shots

1.4Making Choices: Visual Editing

Images for stories in your yearbook fall into one of these categories:• visual narratives• picture essays• picture packages• single images• collages• cut outs• picture collections• submitted photos


An example of a good layout.

Dominant Photo


These visual problems detract from an attractive, evocative yearbook spread:• shape redundancy• size redundancy• busy bleeds• busy content in small photos• tonal inconsistencies• weak cropping

>MORE


• pictures forced into layout spaces

• best photo isn’t the dominant• faces looking off the page• generic pictures• shooting inanimate objects

>VISUAL PROBLEMS CONTINUED

If the photographer doesn’t pay attention to the resolution when shooting, the photo will not reproduce well in a larger size.

1.5Technical Difficulties How to Right a Wrong

Pictures must be 300 dpi or higher in order for us to be able to use them.

Where we find we have the most trouble with that these days is when

trying to use photos submitted by people that have been taken with their

cell phones.

Cameras have shutter speed settings that must be used for flash. Settings faster than the recommended setting will cause the shutter to open for only a portion of the exposure.


We have two cameras at our disposal that allow us to adjust the shutter speed manually. For the most part you will probably even use these cameras on the “Auto” setting. I do encourage you to

play with these settings from time to time.

Photographers must anticipate lighting needs and take along a flash if the lighting will be low.


Unfortunately, we do not have an external flash at this time. You can however anticipate your lighting needs and take the correct camera for what you will

be photographing.

Using a Digital SLR (D-SLR) camera will get you better results at a sporting event than a point and shoot camera. Using a D-SLR will also get you

better results when you are taking pictures under the lights on the football field. The point and shoot

works great in the outdoors and even in some indoor situations.

Photographs shot in fluorescent light will need tonal adjustment in an image-editing software. A filter on the front of your lens also corrects tonality during the exposure.


We don’t currently have a filter that will do this, but I may look into purchasing

one as they are rather inexpensive.

When shooting in low light or action, make sure you are using a camera mode that will offer faster shutter speeds such as 500, 1000 or higher.


All of our cameras have a “sports” mode. This is usually a good setting

when taking photos of sporting events.

Autofocus modes will help you maintain focus as long as the autofocusing mechanism is placed on the subject. When manual focusing, you need to be sure you are focusing correctly.


Preventable technical difficulties can leave you with no pictures at all:• incorrect format• corrupt images• dead batteries/full memory card

• shooting over, deleting or reformatting another photographer’s pictures

• damaged equipment


After photographing an event, always come back to class,

download your photos, delete them off the camera, place the camera battery in the charger

and put the camera away in the cupboard.

Good communication and a commitment to professionalism can prevent these problems:• failed assignments• time management issues

1.6Not-So-Technical Difficulties

behind the picture: process makes perfect

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