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American Red Cross Photography
Better Communication Through
Better Photography
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
2
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.
3
Working with Light
• Using flash:
– Useful, but should be your last choice.
3
Working with Light
• Using flash:
– Useful, but should be your last choice.
– Change in emotion, flash vs. natural light.
3
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.
3
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.
3
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).
3
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.
3
Composition 101
• The way we read is the way we see.
3
Composition 101
• The way we read is the way we see.
• Rule of thirds, the “power points.”
3
Composition 101
• The way we read is the way we see.
• Rule of thirds, the “power points.”
• Centering your subjects!
3
Composition 101
• The way we read is the way we see.
• Rule of thirds, the “power points.”
• Centering your subjects!
• Adjusting Angles.
3
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.
3
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!
3
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.
3
Mindfulness and Planning
• The sports photographer, the bird-watcher.
– Patience is a virtue.
3
Mindfulness and Planning
• The sports photographer, the bird-watcher.
– Patience is a virtue.
• A little position planning.
– Scouting before you shoot can do wonders.
3
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.
3
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.
3
Emotional Impact
• Get your story straight.
– You’re trying to communicate a message.
3
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.
3
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.
3
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.
3
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
3
American Red Cross Photography
Q&A
