International Code Council Photo Tips and Guidelines
Photos are a great way to document your department’s Building Safety Week activities as well as your other news and events. Studies show that when readers read periodicals, they look at photos first. If the photo isn’t interesting, they may not read the story, which means you don’t get your message across.
Here are some basic tips to help you shoot quality photos.
In most cases, set the digital camera to its automatic setting to control focus, f-stop (aperture), shutter speed and flash.
Be sure the shot is in focus. While the International Code Council or your webmaster may be able to adjust lighting to a degree, crop, etc. with computer software, we cannot fix photos that are out of focus.
If available, set the camera to shoot high-resolution photos, which are usable in print and online periodicals as well as on websites. High-res photos also include more computer data so we can better fix lighting and other challenges.
Low-resolution photos are only usable in online periodicals and on websites.
Before you shoot, look for background objects that may ruin your shot. Be sure there aren’t any plants, window frames, or other objects that appear to be growing out of your subjects’ heads.
You will get a better photograph if you move in close and fill the frame. Use the zoom option to frame your subject(s).
Take lots of photos. The more images you take, the better your chances are of getting a great shot. The easiest shot to get is a “grip and grin.” While these photos are usable, they are not very interesting and should be your last choice. Try to get action shots instead.
Most point-and-shoot digital cameras have a delay between when you press the shutter button and when the camera takes the picture. After you take a photo, look at it in the camera’s display screen to make sure you got a quality photo, i.e. everyone’s eyes are open, no red eye, etc.
Get business cards of people in the photo, or write down their names (ask for proper spelling even if the name is Jon Smythe), title and any other important info.
Be sure to send the International Code Council a caption with the photo including the who, what, when, where and why.
