' Hallahan Course Resources: Photographs, Publicity

Publicity Photographs

A picture is worth a thousand words...

Technologies:
  • Digital photo imaging
  • Traditional wet chemical processing

    Camera/Film Formats:

  • Digital 35mm-size cameras. Image quality can range from 1-28 megapixels (million pixels)
  • Traditional 35mm hand-held cameras
  • Older, large formats cameras: 120mm (about 2x2), 4x5 and 8x10 sheet film (specalized studio or tripod work)

    Digital Images

  • Scanned image quality:

  • Formats:
  • Ship via: e-mail, downloadable web or ftp file, or on disk.

    Traditional Photos

  • Print sizes: 8x10 (standard), 11x14, 16x20 if larger formats required, 5x7 portrait, 4x5 small portraits.
  • Print finishes: glossy (standard publication finish) or matte (usually for displays, personal use)
  • Film deliverables (versus prints): 35mm mounted slides, color film transparencies or B&W negatives (all sizes)

    Types of Shots:

  • News/action
  • Mug shots
  • Portrait--Formal
  • Portrait--Informal
  • Human interest
  • Architectural
  • Scenics
  • Product Demonstrations
  • Product Portraiture

    Creative Considerations:

  • Subject matter
  • Lighting
  • Camera mobility
  • Lens depth of field, aperture, speed
  • Props/dressing
  • Special effects/printing/finishing

    Planning a Photo Shoot:

  • Locale -- Scout beforehand
  • Lighting -- Right direction, intensity
  • Season -- Imagery, shadow problems
  • Facility -- Available?
  • Props/fixtures/product -- Preparation required
  • Models -- Cast, hire models in advance
  • Other People -- Work with other subjects, obtained signed model releases (as required)
  • Transportation -- Arranged

    Post-production

  • Timing -- Rush processing required?
  • Computerized manipulations enhancements -- ethics
  • Printing: dodging, darting, corrections
  • Special delivery instructions<

    Working with a Photographer

  • Selection -- speciality, accessibility
  • Setting up the shoot
  • At the shoot
  • Ownership of creative artwork
  • Ordering, accessibility to photos later

    Elements of a Good Publicity Photo

  • Review discussion in Wilcox, Chapter 7.

    Captions

  • Label or caption every photo. Identify source, contact info, date, copyright (if any)
  • Describe the action.
  • Include name and descriptor (or or title) of all important people.
  • When arranging people in photos, think about the caption in advance. Put principal actor on the left.
  • Obtain the names and titles (verify spellings) of every person (known as the "left to rights">
  • Standard captions begin with a "slug" or "overline" identifier, followed by a dash and 4-5 typewritten lines (30-40 words).
  • Be succinct--make every word count.
  • Include all key facts (including client's name or brand) in case the photo is used alone or people only look at the photo and caption.

    Photo Bromides -- Trite Situations to Avoid

  • Ground breakings (shovels, hard hards)
  • Award, check presentations ("hand-shake shots")
  • Panel presentations ("talking heads")
  • Line of people facing the camera with no action ("picket fence shots")
  • Photos of people at banquet tables

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