2. What we’re here to learn.
• A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words
– Better Communication Through Photographs
• Taking Great Red Cross Photos
– Light
– Visual Order
– Emotion
– Mindfulness and Planning
– Composition
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3. Photos: Worth a Thousand Words?
• Photos are always the things people see first.
– Our eyes are drawn to color and contrast.
• Sometimes a photo is all you need to get the story.
– Our minds react strongly to visual cues.
• Photographs help the Red Cross’s mission.
– Our emotions become stronger in reaction to other
people’s emotions.
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8. Working with Light
• Using flash:
– Useful, but should be your last choice.
– Change in emotion, flash vs. natural light.
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10.
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13. Working with Light
• Using flash:
– Useful, but should be your last choice.
– Change in emotion, flash vs. natural light.
• You can’t usually control where the light comes from or
how strong it is. But you can control where you are.
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14.
15.
16. Working with Light
• Using flash:
– Useful, but should be your last choice.
– Change in emotion, flash vs. natural light.
• You can’t usually control where the light comes from or
how strong it is. But you can control where you are.
• Shadows are as important as light.
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18.
19. Working with Light
• Using flash:
– Useful, but should be your last choice.
– Change in emotion, flash vs. natural light.
• You can’t usually control where the light comes from or
how strong it is. But you can control where you are.
• Shadows are as important as light.
• Time of Day (and the magic hour).
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26. Visual Order
• Relative size, focus and closeness.
– Bigger isn’t necessarily better, but a sense of scale
can tell its own story.
– What’s most dominant or obvious will be the first (and
hopefully most important) thing a viewer sees.
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38. Composition 101
• The way we read is the way we see.
• Rule of thirds, the “power points.”
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43. Composition 101
• The way we read is the way we see.
• Rule of thirds, the “power points.”
• Centering your subjects!
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47. Composition 101
• The way we read is the way we see.
• Rule of thirds, the “power points.”
• Centering your subjects!
• Adjusting Angles.
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49.
50.
51.
52. Composition 101
• The way we read is the way we see.
• Rule of thirds, the “power points.”
• Centering your subjects!
• Adjusting Angles.
• Lines and perspective.
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54.
55.
56. Composition 101
• The way we read is the way we see.
• Rule of thirds, the “power points.”
• Centering your subjects!
• Adjusting Angles.
• Lines and perspective.
• Vertical shots are important too!
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60. Mindfulness and Planning
• The sports photographer, the bird-watcher.
– Patience is a virtue.
• A little position planning.
– Scouting before you shoot can do wonders.
• Ask, and you shall receive (but be respectful!).
– You’re there to help, and people know that.
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64. Mindfulness and Planning
• The sports photographer, the bird-watcher.
– Patience is a virtue.
• A little position planning.
– Scouting before you shoot can do wonders.
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66.
67.
68. Mindfulness and Planning
• The sports photographer, the bird-watcher.
– Patience is a virtue.
• A little position planning.
– Scouting before you shoot can do wonders.
• Ask, and you shall receive (but be respectful!).
– You’re there to help, and people know that.
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70. Emotional Impact
• Get your story straight.
– You’re trying to communicate a message.
• Make sure it’s appropriate to the situation.
– “Smile for the camera” doesn’t work all the time.
• Hey wait, where are the people?
– No faces? No problem.
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78. Emotional Impact
• Get your story straight.
– You’re trying to communicate a message.
• Make sure it’s appropriate to the situation.
– “Smile for the camera” doesn’t work all the time.
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80.
81.
82. Emotional Impact
• Get your story straight.
– You’re trying to communicate a message.
• Make sure it’s appropriate to the situation.
– “Smile for the camera” doesn’t work all the time.
• Hey wait, where are the people?
– No faces? No problem.
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84. End
• Get your story straight.
– You’re trying to communicate a message.
• Make sure it’s appropriate to the situation.
– “Smile for the camera” doesn’t work all the time.
• Hey wait, where are the people?
– No faces? No problem.
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85. Basic Photography Guidelines
• Before Shooting
– Ask Questions First, Shoot Later
• Elements that Can Change the Photo Drastically
– Quality, direction and strength of light
– Composition - cropping, focus, including/excluding elements
– Timing - hold that button!
• After Shooting
– Some Easy Editing Tips and Resources
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Victim + Shelter + Red Cross worker emotional help
damage
damage
Victim + Shelter + Red Cross worker emotional help
Victim + Shelter + Red Cross worker emotional help
damage
damage
Red Cross + victim + damage
Red Cross + victim + damage
Light: evokes a feeling
Elements: simple and recognizable
Timing: early morning or late afternoon light is beautiful
damage
damage
damage
Damage that you can recognize
The role of light
Closer to the damage
Recognize shapes and can relate
Too far from the important part of the photo
Too many elements in the photo that distract and not add to the message
Same photo op, different result
Victim and damage
Victim and damage
Victim and damage
Red Cross + damage
Hierarchy of elements on the photo. Red Cross first, damage second. Clear, and close up, this photo can be printed small and still legible.
Red Cross + damage
This is a good photo, good light, clear elements.
Both main elements, damage and Red Cross, have similar importance
Red Cross + damage
Victim + Damage + Red Cross help
Victim and damage
Victim and damage
Victim and damage
Victim and damage
Victim + Damage + Red Cross help
Victim + Damage + Red Cross help
Victim + Damage + Red Cross help
Victim + Shelter + Red Cross worker
Victim + Shelter + Red Cross worker
Victim + Shelter + Red Cross worker
Victim + Red Cross help
Victim + Shelter + Red Cross symbol
Victim + Shelter + Red Cross symbol
Victim + Shelter + Red Cross symbol
Victim + Shelter + Red Cross worker emotional help
Victim + Shelter + Red Cross worker emotional help
Victim + Shelter + Red Cross worker emotional help
damage
damage
Red Cross + damage
Red Cross + damage
Red Cross + damage
Victim + Red Cross + simplest form + essence of the red cross + it becomes evergreen, a classic shot
Victim + Red Cross help
Victim + Shelter + Red Cross worker emotional help
Red Cross at work + diversity
Red Cross + Partner + action
Victim + Shelter + Red Cross worker help
Victim + Shelter + Red Cross worker
victim
victim
victim
Closer to the damage
Recognize shapes and can relate