What makes an effectivepublicity photo?

Mick ForsdikeSara Popp

“A picture is worth a thousand words”

Why is a photo so important

• local newspapers– grabbing their attention– lack of resources

• website– selling courses to studentshttp://www.cirencester.ac.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=932&Itemid=166

• studentshttp://www.cirencester.ac.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=939&Itemid=166

Tips on Content

• Introduce levels amongst your subjects.• Think in 3 dimensions to add depth• Think about using props / objects to give some

context and for people to react to / focus on.• Reactions can be as effective as actions.• Eyes matter more than smiles.

Tips on Content

• By moving closer to the subject you can change the background / composition more than at a distance.

• Include background which implies place and purpose … don’t worry if the whole building isn’t in the shot!

• Try to fill the frame with interest.• Think of each image as one in a sequence which

has a ‘narrative’.• Cheesey works – think cheesey!

Some technical tips

• Hold the camera steady and support it on something if

possible.

• Don’t shoot with strong backlight – try to have the sun

behind you or get subject side-on to a light source.

• Try to avoid bright sunlight as it causes ugly shadows and

squinting eyes as well as washing out detail.

• Turn off auto flash. Only use flash on relatively close

subjects in the dark, to light a dark subject against a dark

background or to reduce contrast in bright light!

more technical tips• Ensure the main subject is in focus – get to know how

your camera does this.• Avoid subject being too close to focus on• Moving away and using zoom flattens the depth of field

reducing foreground / sky.• Zoom will increase risk of camera shake• Don’t fixate on getting everything / everyone in the shot

as this will lead to wide angle shots with lots of boring foreground.

• Check for obvious things like trees growing out of heads and unsightly bins.

• Shoot multiple frames and select the best later.

Be ‘The Photographer’

• Be polite but firm - people expect to be told what to do by photographers.

• Try to make people feel at ease but avoid embarrassing them.

• Have a couple of ideas in mind before you start.• Don’t fixate on ‘smiles’ … relaxed is more important.• Preview images immediately and don’t grimace: people

take it personally• It may be easier to move yourself than 20 students – get

low / high / close / distant.

Some Examples

Details count

Context is everything

Levels / implied purpose

Think in 3d to add depth

Capture the mood

Bananas with Cheese!

Breaking the rules

Nice idea + Photoshop

= Pure Gold !

Flash outdoors !

Zoom flattens

Go wide with interest

Simple idea but …where are they?

Move around to get the right angle

Get creative!

Show Activity / Purpose

“What are they looking at?”

“Oh, I see”

Tell the story

A good picture is worth a thousand words