Using Photos

As a writer/journalist, you don't just need to know how to use a camera - you need to be able to pick the best photos to tell a story - and know how to write great captions. It's a real art!

You don't need to be an expert photographer to take a good picture. It's often about being in the right place at the right time - although often planning your photo shoot can make a big difference.

Tips:

• Get down to the appropriate level if necessary e.g. if you are taking a picture of a pet or small animal. Hold your camera at their eye level
  
  
• Use a plain background - a cluttered background will be distracting while a plain background will emphasize what you are trying to take i.e. your subject
  
  
• Use flash outdoors - it can improve your pictures. Using it on cloudy days brightens up faces and makes them stand out from the background.
  
  
• Take some vertical pictures - e.g. portraits of people. Turn your camera sideways to get a different angle.
  
  
• Be a director - add some props, rearrange your subjects, or try a different viewpoint. Get active!
  
  
• When taking photos of people, make sure they are happy for you to do that. Ask people to pose for you if necessary - they can only say no!

On Making the News, you can add as many images to a story as you like, but remember that the more images, the longer the story will take to download.

 

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