Rolling out the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (CPMS)

Taking Good Pictures

When writing a report on your launch, it is always very good to add some quality pictures that give a visual idea of what you did practically. An image is the entry door to all information, all text: it attracts the first look, and like all first impressions, it will prompt – or not – your reader to read and to absorb what you are trying to say to him/her.

What you should try to capture:When taking the pictures, you should make sure that something about the Minimum Standards is present on your shot (people alone will not mean much to your readers). You should try to capture:

A speaker beside a picture of the minimum standards / banner or poster of the event.

A group of people using the standards in a workshop.

A trainer in front of a meaningful Power Point presentation (for example, a power point explaining a specific standard) in an orientation workshop.

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Technical advices: Frame the entire person in your shot : If you’re taking a photo from a distance, get the

person’s whole body in your field of vision. Avoid “ cutting off ” hands, feet, or the top of the head.

Resolution : Adjust your camera so you can take high quality photos. Low resolution images become pixellated when enlarged or cropped, so they are not suitable for publication. Pay attention to the capacity of your memory card; high resolution formats take up a lot of space.

Light : Be aware of backlighting, and avoid too strong midday light. Captions : To ensure optimum utilization of your photos, be sure to caption them carefully :

when you save them or prepare to share them, note key details such as the location where you took the photos, the day in which you took them (especially if you are covering a 2 / 3 day workshop), the name of the person in the picture, etc.

Photo credit:Please ensure that you include the proper credit along with the photo when submitting (name of individual and/or agency with ownership of the picture and date) and ensure there is proper permission to use the photo. Once submitted, the photo may be used for other communication purposes but will always include the proper credit.

Remember to adhere to Standard 3 on Communication, Advocacy and Media! Ensure informed consent from those portrayed in the photos.

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