At a time when we all have a smartphone, it’s easy to believe that anyone can be a good photographer.
But achieving great photographs that work for your brand and communicate your key messages needs thought and consideration.
In today’s media savvy world, photography is essential both in print and increasingly online. It used to be important for accompanying press releases or marketing collateral, but now strong images are also needed to attract and engage socially via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest et al.
In this blog we’re going to look at the basic requirements for commissioning photography primarily for print, and a future blog will look at creating ‘Images for the Internet’.
So here are 10 Top Tips to help you achieve successful images.
Know what you want
Only then can you properly brief a photographer to achieve what you’re after. Have a vision for the images you want to achieve – even source some examples – so you can discuss this with them in advance and they can tell you whether it’s realistic.
Choosing your photographer
Work with a photographer who has the experience you need. Start by having a good look at his or her folio or website. Make sure they have the experience you require by subject – people, fashion, still life, sport, automotive, interiors, reportage etc – and see whether they are best suited to working on location or in a studio. Just because someone did a great job of your sister’s wedding pictures doesn’t qualify them to take action sports shots.
What’s the story?
Remember these two sayings: ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’, and ‘Every picture tells a story’. This is especially true today. We are all now ‘time poor’, and with so much information available to us through so many different channels, everyone’s attention span is getting shorter.
Faced with hundreds of different stories, editors often select images they think will look good on the page and then decide on the copy. Help them by providing images that will enhance the look of their publications and websites – and get your story featured!
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Waterside homes are a firm favourite with property journalists, and the rowing boat helps set the scene and tell the story. |
Credit: Butler Sherborn |
Composition
Remember that the subject or product has to be the hero of the image. A creative shot may look great, but will people focus on what you want them to see or just an overall impression?
Also choose a background or location that complements the subject and helps communicate the story.
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We needed a commercial background to promote this van version of the Korando 4×4. While providing an attractive backdrop, the line up of JCBs also added to the story. This portrait shaped image was designed as a possible front cover. |
Credit: SsangYong |
Variety
The more different and varied images you can produce, the more likely an editor is to find a shot they like. Remember to provide different angles, as well as shots that can be used as cut outs.
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Credit: SsangYong |
These two shots were part of a series to illustrate this new off-road vehicle; both have featured widely in the press and online. |
Format
When briefing photography for print media it is worth considering the format needed to maximise your opportunities. Not every shot needs to be landscape (horizontal), and be sure to include some portrait (vertical) formats for possible use as a magazine front cover – editors often struggle to find images that are the right shape. Remember to allow clear space at the top of the image for the publication’s masthead/title to be printed, as well as at the bottom or the side for cover mentions. Think about the way the shot could be used. If it’s for a possible double page spread (DPS) think about where the gutter (space between the columns of text) or spine (central crease) will fall on the image. You don’t want a person’s face or a company’s badge or logo falling into this area.
Avoid stereotype images
It’s easy to create the same-old clichéd images such as pictures of two businessmen in shiny suits shaking hands as they agree a contract, hand over keys or receive an award. Try and come up with something a bit different that will grab the editor’s attention and leap off the page.
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When Owen Vaughan, head gardener at Richmond Villages Painswick won an RHS Gardening Excellence award, we wanted a shot of him doing what he does best! |
Credit: Richmond Villages |
Write a brief
This needs to confirm the objectives, the type of images and their purpose. Confirm the venue – location or studio, any props, models and materials required, as well as the budget.
Attend the shoot
See for yourself what is and isn’t achievable. By actually looking through the lens and reviewing the images with the photographer as the shoot progresses, you’ll learn about important things such as light, shadow and background. This will also help ensure you get the pictures you’ll be happy with.
Attention to detail
Keep looking and questioning to see what might be wrong. For example, if a car is being driven, is the driver wearing a seat belt? If people are involved, are they smiling, grimacing, wearing sunglasses or light sensitive glasses that darken in bright light? Avoid these at all cost! While retouching is always an option, you want to avoid the expense of a re-shoot.
Compiled in association with award winning photographer, Michael Bailie http://www.michaelbailie.com/
Note:
Another blog in the near future will look at creating ‘Images for the Internet’.
©Copyright 2012