Below are general tips and tricks for what you should aim for when taking your production stills:
Technical Specifications
• Format: RAW, DNG, TIFF or JPG files.
• File Size: 300 dpi & ideally a minimum of 3000 pixels on longest side.
• Use the highest file size setting available on your camera.
Quality
All images must be:
• In Focus
• Correct exposure
• Subject matter that is applicable to the program. Images must capture/explain the subject matter/topic of the program.
• Vertical (portrait) and horizontal (landscape) image
General Tips
• Take a lot of pictures. It is digital and you can delete it later.
• Take still photos at the highest image quality possible.
• Do NOT zoom with a cell phone camera.
• Be as still as possible when taking pictures.
• Get used to your camera’s shutter delay – especially if you are photographing moving objects.
• Avoid direct sunlight whenever possible.
Tips – Get Closer
• When you think you are standing close enough to a subject, take three steps closer.
Tips – Change your vantage point
• Kneel down, lay on the ground, stand on a chair or table to change your perspective
Tips – Portraiture
• Environmental portraits show a subject in their typical surroundings
• A headshot focuses on the person and inclused the head and shoulders
• Show what is unique to the person in their environment
Tips – Rule of Thirds
• This rule states that an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections
Tips – See the lack of light
• See how shadows can help draw attention to the subject of an image
• Watch for shafts of light tht highlight subjects
Tips – Depth of field
• Use depth of field to draw the viewers attention.
• A large aperture (small f-stop) will produce a small or narrow depth of field. Only a small part of the image will be in focus.
• A small aperture (large f-stop) will produce a big or wide depth of field. The whole scebe will be in focus which is useful for capturing landscapes or large groups.