Does your staff need photo help? Chick out this video by Jamie Silver on the basics of good photography.
Click Here for a 47 minute on Photo
Here is a quiz you can use with your staff after they have watched the video. Download PDF version of the photo quiz here We are not posting the answers here as some schools direct the staff to watch the video directly from the website. If you want the answer sheet, just email us.
Photo Basics Quiz
Directions: Write your answers on the test. If I can’t read it, it is wrong. If you took notes when watching the video, you may use them while taking the test. You are welcome;-)
True or False:
_____ A photographer who stands in one place to shoot will capture the best shot.
_____ Straight on photos are most pleasing.
_____ Diagonal lines make pictures dynamic.
_____ A disruptive subject ruins the composition of a photo.
_____ Most phones and cameras have a tic tac toe, rule of thirds, grid that can be turned on when taking photos.
_____ When shooting photos, you should put your subject in the center of your frame.
_____ As the ISO number increases, images become grainier.
_____ When taking photos, direct sunlight is preferred over indirect sunlight.
_____ Camera settings can record detail in direct light and shade at the same time.
_____ A flash allows faster shutter speeds to capture movement.
_____ For action shots, a photographer should use the largest aperture possible.
_____ A photographer should remain at a distance when shooting.
_____ The image should describe the overall environment.
_____ When the game is over, your job as the photographer is done.
_____ Patience is a must for a photographer.
_____ Altering a photo’s reality is unethical unless explained within the copy or caption, what effects were used to alter the photo.
_____ Photo-shopping a person into a photo is acceptable.
Short answer:
TECHNIQUES YOU SHOULD KNOW
| Center of Interest |
Varying Angles |
Depth of Field |
Leading Lines |
| Pattern of Repetition |
Capturing the Peak of Emotion |
Rule of Thirds |
Framing |
- What is the best piece of equipment any photographer has with them at all times?
- Shooting above subjects will make subjects appear smaller or larger?
- Shooting below a subject will make him/her appear smaller or larger?
- If a photographer would like a shallow or narrow depth of field, with one object or subject in focus, how much should the aperture be open?
- With what should a photographer experiment when taking photos?
- When applying rule of thirds, a photographer should capture the subject in the ____________ because this is where a viewer’s eyes naturally go.
- When following the rule of thirds, should you make sure the subject is facing into or away from the center of the image of the imaginary grid?
- Which technique creates the illusion of depth?
- What is a merger and why is it not good for your photo composition?
- What two times of day are ideal for taking photos?
- Should the sun be to the subject’s back or in front of the subject in order to get the best shot?
- What time of day presents the harshest light?
- What is called when you are comparing the amount of light to shadow?
- What setting, on phones and cameras, can often help balance the amount of light to shadow?
- When the light ratio is low or high, there isn’t a large gap between light and dark.
- When the light ratio is low or high, you will lose detail in areas of your composition.
- What provides artificial light when there isn’t enough natural light?
- Stopping the action requires a fast (high number) or slow (low number) shutter speed?
- For group photos, you should have a fast or slow shutter speed?
- What are the two basic camera functions?
- Sophomore Susie Sunshine took this photo in Mr. Steve Rode’s AP European History class. The student in the desk is senior Hayley Laidlaw.
- Identify and explain 1-2 photo techniques being used in this photo.
- In a complete sentence, provide constructive criticism for the photographer.
- Write a caption for this photo, making sure to apply all of the proper style rules. (10 pts)
Improving your Head shots and Environmental Portraits
Adding mods to your yearbook spread is common practice, and including a head shot by a quote is a great way to include more student voices in your yearbook. Unfortunately too often, little thought is given to these head shots. There are some simple changes you can make to your process that will greatly improve the photos in your book, and the people your photographing will thank you for it when the book is printed and they look amazing!
BAD – BETTER – BEST
- the first is the typical, slap your subject against the lockers. The result, they look like they are in a lineup.
- The second is better by simply turning the subject sideways and having them lean on the locker
- The third is the best, you not only have the subject lean on the locker, you also walk down the hall where some natural light is coming in behind you, removing the shadows from her face. Be warned adding a harsh flash will not give you the same effect.
These photos were taken with the help of the Libertyville High School Staff.
There are other options for getting a good head shot, that are just as easy. Invest in a backdrop.
TO CUT OUT OR NOT CUT OUT
- The first example is from New Trier High School. They invested in a gray backdrop that is attached to the wall of their yearbook room. This option gives a clean even background, with no need to cut out your subject.
- The second option is to invest in a green screen like Maine West High School. As you can see, they also have a light that helps illuminate the subject in a more natural way. Using a green screen will help you when cutting out your subject in Photoshop. Please review the short video on making a cut out posted on this website. Click Here.
In both cases, the subject should not stand up against the backdrop and you should avoid a flash on top of the camera.
The last option would be to take an environmental portrait. This type will take the most time and planning, but get you the biggest wow factor. The idea is to plan the environment that makes the most sense in telling the story of the event being covered.
IMPORTANT FACTORS IN PLANNING AN ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT
- Angle and leading lines
- Depth of field
- Vertical or horizontal
- Foreground – background relationship
- Lighting
- Props
iPhone photo tips –
- 10 tips for iPhone Photography CLICK HERE
- If your staff is using iPhones to take photos for yearbook, there could be a new problem. The new update (iOS 11) has changed the default for photo formats to a new HEIC (high efficiency image) setting. This saves space on your phones, but it is not compatible for yearbooks. It can cause issues when uploading to eDesign. If your students are using their iPhones for photos, please have them change their camera settings. If they disable HEIC it will force iOS 11 to store all images as JPEG. You can disable HEIC from settings > camera > formats.If you have photos in HEIC format that aren’t working, you can convert them here: https://heictojpg.com/ For more tips on iphone photography, watch this short video CLICK HERE
- SLR controls – In order to improve your yearbook photography, you will need to train your staff how to use an SLR camera and not just their smart phone. Here are 2 website that will help them understand fstops, shutterspeed and iso – Canon side of Auto & Camera Sim.
- Quality – Resolution is important, make sure your camera is set on the highest resolution possible. If you are using your phone, no problem, but you need to remember when you transfer it to HJeDesign the quality might be degraded if not done correctly. The best way is to use HJeShare because emailing it can compress it and quality will be lost. Always export from your phone
- Rule of Thirds – This is an easy composition rule to remember that will improve the focus your readers take in your photo. Check out this link to read more.
- Depth of Field – Basically this is what is in focus in your photograph and can drastically change the look of your photo. for more information, check out this link.
- Environmental Portraits and lighting – Expanding the coverage in your yearbook means surveys, quotes and sidebars. With this added content you often need a photo to go with the mod. Most students, when needing a photo of someone will either grab their school portrait that is already in the book and reuse it, or put someone up again the lockers or a plan wall and that their photo. These photos are always boring and do not tell the story of the year. Use an environmental portrait where you consider the background and the lighting. Check out this link of Environmental Portrait samples to get inspiration.
Download a PDF of the scavenger hunt here Photo Scavenger grade sheet
TIPS FOR IPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY. CHICK HERE
Student Traditions 