This document provides tips and guidance for improving photography skills to better promote libraries. It discusses basic public relations concepts, using different types of cameras, settings like aperture and shutter speed, composition techniques, lighting, and editing photos. Tips are provided for taking photos with smartphones and tablets as well as with digital SLR cameras. The goal is to help libraries take better photos to inform their communities about programs and services.

1. ACE It! Aim Click
Edit: Better
Photography Skills
to Improve YOUR
Library’s Image
Dr. Curtis R.
Rogers,
Communications
Director
Pamela Hoppock,
Youth Services
Consultant

2. Some Basic PR Concepts
 If they don’t know what you’re library is doing,
then you’re not telling them!
 Understanding your community.
 How do I currently reach patrons?
 How could I do a better job?
 Budget for PR!

3. Release forms
and Permissions
 It all depends.

4. Take these steps
 Exercise caution
 When in doubt get a signed
release form
 Post your library’s policy
online and in the building
 Announce before programs

5. Take these steps
 Sample policy
http://www.hcpl.net/about/guidelines-photo-permissions
 Photo permissions at the
Library – a blog
http://www.davidleeking.com/2009/11/10/photo-permissions-at-the-library/#.VEZxZyLF_wi
 Article about related laws
http://www.photoattorney.com/photography-not-allowed-33-photographs-of-a-local-library/

6. Types of digital cameras
Webcams/phone cams
Point and shoot
Intermediate
Advanced Consumer
Prosumer dSLR
Professional dSLR

7. Camera lenses
 Wideangle zoom
 Standard
 Superzoom
 Telephoto zoom
 Macro
 Fisheye

8. What are pixels? The
word "pixel" means a
picture element.
Every photograph, in
digital form, is made
up of pixels. They are
the smallest unit of
information that
makes up a picture.
Usually round or
square, they are
typically arranged in a
2-dimensional grid.
Pixels

9. Setting the Right F-Stop
for Your Digital Photo
• Use an almost-wide-open
f-stop to
boost sharpness.
• Adjust
your depth of fieldb
y moving f-stops.
• Avoid too-small
f-stops.

10. Shutter Speed

15. Think Critically About
How Your Library Is Portrayed
What do you like?
What would you
change?

21. DSLR Basics
http://www.canonoutsideofauto.ca

22. What makes a
good
photograph?

23. Composition
 Rule of Thirds
 The rule of thirds is the simplest rule of
composition. All you do is take your frame and
overlay a grid of nine equal sections. This means
you split the vertical space into three parts and
the horizontal space into three parts.

27. Perspective
Photographing your subject straight-on
is sometimes the right choice, but
you can create visual impact by moving
the camera left, right, above, and
below.

30. Light
 Manual settings
 Natural light
 Indoor lighting
 Consider all options!

31. Auto focus modes
http://photographylife.com/dslr-autofocus-
modes-explained

32. Location
Indoor
Outdoor
Landscape mode?
Portrait mode?
Frame the image

33. Other Devices
Tablets and
Phones
Tips
Apps vs built in
cameras

34. First…
If you’re going to
use it like a camera,
treat it like a camera

35. Ditch the flash
Smartphone flashes don't actually flash.
They are just glorified LED flashlights

36. Finally…
• Switch on your grid
• Use your finger to focus
• And on the iPhone: to adjust lighting
• Stabilize your phone
• Don’t use your digital zoom

37. Apps
Camera and editing
apps combined:
Camera+
Pro Camera 7
Filter and Editing Apps:
Snapseed
VSCO Cam
BeFunky
PicMonkey
Photo Editor by Aviary
Adobe Photoshop
Express
Pixlr Express

38. EDIT, EDIT, EDIT!
Pixlr.com
Use express mode
Upload and edit your
image
Crop, adjust colors,
use effects, etc.

39. pixlr.com

40. Thank you!
 Dr. Curtis R. Rogers
 Communications Director
 803-734-8928
 crogers@statelibrary.sc.gov
 Pamela Hoppock
 Youth Services Consultant
 803-734-8646
 phoppock@statelibrary.sc.gov