Photos & Videos

Focus: Eyes should always be in focus when taking portraits. The eyes are an important facial feature that is often the first thing people look to when viewing an image. This is especially important in professional headshots.

When taking portraits use as large of an aperture as possible (smaller f-stop). Doing this creates a blurred background where only the subject is in focus.

Background: Look for a background that won’t distract from the purpose of the image you intend to capture. Backgrounds should be visually pleasing while being simple and clutter free. Consider the attire the subject is wearing. The background you place behind them should not cause distractions or cause the subject to blend in with the background.

Be aware of poles, trees and other vertical objects. Be sure to place your subject in a location that does not cause these items to seem like they are coming out of their head.

Variety: When taking portraits be sure to get a variety of shots. YVC uses photos in a variety of different mediums and having different options to choose from is beneficial. When taking portraits try and shoot a variety of wide angle and zoomed in images.

Subjects: When going into classrooms or to events prioritize images with that follow the principles outlined above. In particular, aim for images that capture clear action and/or a subject’s face. These types of images are more engaging and help to tell the story of the student experience at YVC. In general it is a good idea to stick to the sides of the room or event and use a longer lens to capture close up images so that the subjects of the photo/video won’t be distracted by the presence of a photographer. This is important to capture engaging, authentic photos without disrupting the class/activity.

ISO: Always check ISO prior to shooting and avoid setting it too high. The higher the ISO setting the more noticeable the noise in the final image will be. A good rule of thumb is to only set the exposure as high as necessary to get a proper exposure.

When to shoot outdoors: The best time to shoot outdoors is in the morning or late afternoon/evening depending on the time of year. If you do have to shoot in the middle of the day always position the subject so the sun is behind their head. When the sun is in front of the subject it can cause harsh shadows and squinting eyes that are unflattering, especially if the photos are for a portrait.

Alternatively, the use of a light diffuser can help soften some of the sun’s harsh light to help evenly distribute it across the subject.