Everyone is a designer. Everyone is a photographer. Everyone is a videographer. Or, so it would seem in the new tech world, where we upload and share 1.8 billion photos every day.
But, do you really want to be like everyone else? If you, design, edit or contribute to a newsletter, blog, ad book, webpage, technical report, or simply post on social media streams, there are a few things I’d like you to keep in mind.
The Subject Matters
© Capitol Copy Service 2014*
Sure, there are candid, in-the-moment photos you can use. And, there are millions of stock photos on the web. But to really illuminate your subject, a professional model is best. For a recent photo display, we used a model. Here’s why:
- Easy to photograph and takes less time than amateurs
- Prepares for the photo shoot with clothing, make-up and hair styled
- Patient
- Experienced in posing
- Offers feedback and suggestions for improving results
- Photos customized to our product or service
Top tips for taking photos (from award winning photographer, David Pratt- DSP Photos)
- Be aware of photo opportunities
- Make sure subject has enough light or use flash on camera and never shoot into the sun
- Composition- Shoot images tight, fill frame with what is important
- Keep it simple – Just because you have the latest and greatest camera with all the bells and whistles does not mean you have to use them all the time.
- Be quick – Just shoot it, if you think about it, it will be gone!
- Use a tripod or mono pod in low light situations.
Videos Add Dimension
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video with sound must be worth more, right? Videos done professionally assist your audience in many ways:
Encourage Action!
Sure, it’s very basic, but this 12 second video, embedded on our webpage, increased response more than 75%!
How-To For Making a Sale!
We produced a video for a product just released to the market. It needed to reach a global audience and we needed to show ease of use:
Sound was not necessary for the demonstration, as you can see.
Visit the full website here: Stethoshield
In addition to the website, the video was shown at several trade shows and at presentations to buyers. Within a month, orders for the product came in from across the US.
Animation!
Even something inanimate benefits from video. The concept was to show the product as a shopper would see it on a shelf. (Package design and video by Capitol Copy)
Top tips for producing your own video (from “Social Media in a Nutshell” seminar, 2014)
- Use the best equipment you can afford
- Learn or understand editing
- Use professional models
- Give most attention to sound or don’t include it
- Make sure your video plays on most major platforms
- Keep videos short
- Start your own YouTube page to upload, download and showcase videos
Legal and Ethical Issues
It’s happened to us hundreds of times………..
Customer: “Can you print this from my file?”
Us: “Sure, we’d be happy to. I see you have photos and graphics in the file. Are they yours?”
Customer: “No, I just downloaded them from some website.”
Us: “Well, they will not print well because they are low-resolution. And, there are copyright issues.”
Customer: <big sigh>
So, how do you avoid this conundrum?
Top tips for using images
- Take your own photo (your smartphone camera can do it!)
- Pay for professional design services (capitol-copy.com)
- Use a model
- Buy clip art or photos from legitimate websites, like IStockPhoto or DollarPhotoClub
Thanks for stopping by!
*Contact information for Hulda Lind: Lindmodel@gmail.com
@Huldalindkrist
Icemodel Hulda Lind Kristins
