Digital Photography For Writers

Photography Rates The days of being a writer or photographer are ending. The future is CONTENT. Writers MUST start adding photo/video to their skill set because that’s where the market is headed. Photographers must embrace writing and video. Text will always be the foundation of any publishing, but visuals add the curb appeal that leads to higher readership/hits. This will eventually translate into higher revenue.

Getting Started Buy the best equipment you can afford that will do the job. Too pricy and you may risk not getting a good ROI. Too cheap and you may risk the quality you need. Take a balanced approach. Don’t try to do too much too quickly. Stay away from “do everything” equipment unless it meets your needs. Maximize your opportunity by maximizing your equipment (don’t shoot the lowest quality jpeg with a 10MP camera).

Shooting Raw Or Jpeg Mode In JPEG mode most of the information captured by the sensor is trashed and the camera controls what your final image looks like. Sure you can make adjustments to jpegs at home, but you don’t have the flexibility/options that having ALL the information gives you. By shooting in RAW mode you keep ALL the data the sensor captures. This gives you greater flexibility to make image changes later. If you shoot exclusively for the web then jpegs are fine, but still shoot the best quality in case someone wants an image for print usage.

Adobe RGB Color Space Most print publications work with Adobe RGB (1998) color space. So it’s best to shoot in this color space if your camera allows it. If not you can shoot in sRGB and convert to Adobe RGB later. If you shoot exclusively for the web then sRGB is okay, but you can increase your opportunities for print sales by using Adobe RGB (1998).

Getting Off Program Mode Why let your camera decide what your final image looks like? When you shoot in program mode you are effectively letting your camera take control of your final image, by allowing it to select the shutter speed, aperture and ISO “ IT ” wants instead of what “ YOU ” want. The single biggest improvement you can make to your photography is taking back control of your creativity by getting off program mode. Use shutter or aperture priority mode.

Best Time To Shoot The most flattering light occurs between 1/2 hour before sunrise and 10AM, and between 4PM and 1/2 hour after sunset. Of course this is prime drinking, eating and sleeping time for most writers so they usually miss the good light. If you shoot during these times you will produce better looking images. What to do between? Shoot indoor subjects like museum exhibits, food, etc., and/or do story research/interviews, edit images, grab a nap, etc.

Okay So You Slept In If you can’t shoot during the prime times then you can fudge your shots a bit to get a better result. If you are shooting in Jpeg mode then try shooting on the cloud WB setting (yes even if there are no clouds). It will add a bit of warmth to your pics. In Raw you can make extensive adjustments on the computer at home which may help you improve the look of the images. But nothing can replace shooting during the magic hours.

What Images To Shoot Shoot what the industry or your outlets want. Generic destination photography works better as stock. But the general destination story is dead, so don’t waste time shooting generic stock images. Today, editors want unique stories or “Nuggets” about a destination. Since most stock is generic, writers must have images to illustrate these nuggets or risk having them rejected because the editor/art director feels it would be too difficult to find images. Writers and stock photographers need to start shooting with specific stories in mind. Shoot the details.

Shoot Images With Specific Magazines In Mind Every magazine has its preference for imagery. Some publications use lots of people shots while others use few. Some like detail shots and others want sweeping landscapes. Study the images in the magazines you write for or want to write for. What kind of images do they use? Then before going on a trip think of a couple story ideas that fit a few of these outlets and make a shot list around those story ideas and the types of images the magazines use. This goes for writers and stock shooters. Magazines are also using more detail shots.

Shooting Images With Plenty Of Space For Text Most covers, full-page and double-page spreads need lots of space for text. By shooting images with space for text you increase your chances of making higher dollar sales. Remember to shoot the same scene in both vertical or horizontal. Shoot simple images. Simple images sell well. Use the KISS approach.

Shoot Verticals Most web and print publications still have a vertical biased format. About 70% of all images selected for inside print and small web use are vertical images. Almost all covers are vertical images as are full-page lead images. Despite this 70 % of the images writers and photographers shoot are horizontal. Don’t miss out on the big $$$…shoot more verticals.

Stack Your Story With Images Art directors search for images that relate to aspects of a story. Before you start writing, edit your images. See which ones are really good and make sure you find a way to include their subject matter in your story outline. In other words, write your piece so it “pulls” your images into the story. Make it a no-brainer for the art director to select your images. Submit images in the order they appear in your story and in the format the editor wants.

Shoot The Story Lead Most stories have either a full-page or double-page lead/opening image. If you want to make more $$ make sure you shoot a ton of photos to illustrate the lead of your story. This is another reason to have a story idea and outline in your mind before heading out. If you have an especially great image that you didn’t shoot for the lead, try to work it into the lead with a couple of sentences or mention it in the story title or sub-head.

Fill Flash Sometimes it is necessary to add a bit of flash to brighten parts of your subject in bright sunlight or shade. This is especially relevant when you shoot people wearing hats. Fill flash also allows you to balance the light on a subject in the shade with the light in the background. Also great for putting catch light in your subjects eyes.

Learn Your Camera Controls You can’t take back control of your imagery and creativity if you don’t know how to use the controls on your camera. Give yourself photo assignments to become proficient with the controls and what they do. Good Shooting!