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Press Photos
Good Photographs
Editors are attracted to stories by good accompanying photographs. So what makes a photograph good?
- The face in the photo Often it's a good idea to get in quite close to capture a Scout's expression - concentration, joy, etc
- Action Photos of activities are far more appealing than formal presentations. Some newspapers will not print press releases about formal presentations.
- Correct exposure Dark or washed out pictures are unattractive.
- Clarity of subject matter at a glance Photos should not need a lot of explanation.
- Impact That is often achieved by getting in close. Do we need to see everyone and everything? Don't chop people off just below the head or above the feet, but a photo doesn't need to show a whole body. From the waist up or head and shoulders can make a better picture.
- Originality Think of new ways to treat your subject matter. For example: cheque presentations are deadly dull reading even if for a very good cause and editors will often bin these 'grip and grin' subjects. I have however seen a good article in a newspaper on a cheque presentation where the two Scout girls involved were taken close up with the cheques stuck to their foreheads. They thought it hilarious and the resulting photo was eyecatching and very positive - you wouldn't see such wide grins in a formal handover.
- Quality print Editors prefer glossy prints to lustre or matt (the lustre surface in particular is picked up when the image is scanned and gives a mottled effect). 5" x 7" is the preferred size. Photos should be labelled on the back with the caption/subject matter - don't write on the back of the photo itself as you may damage the print.
- Digital photos Editors will now often accept digital photos and press releases by e.mail, but do check first. Some are very keen to receive stuff this way, while others aren't. If taking digital photos, use maximum quality setting every time. Commercially printed material shows up poor quality in photos in a way that computer screens and televisions do not. The biggest fault with home digital cameras is poor lighting on the subject - that tiddly little flash on the camera bears no comparison with a professional photographer's flashgun.
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