photo choices

Photo ChoicesJeremy Sherlick / CFR.orgjsherlick@cfr.org

About me• Deputy Director for Multimedia• The Newsteam / Editorial (Not

WMD)• Interactive, video, audio, visuals• 8 years

Sourcing ImagesWhere to go. What to do.

Likely to be your first stop, and possibly your last.

Reuters

• CFR has a contract for unlimited use.

• It will probably do the trick for 90% of your photo needs.

• If you’re not sure of the password after the first try, call us.

• Eventually, you will get your own login.

They are NOT unlimited use or free.

AP, Getty, Corbis

• If you can’t find a photo on Reuters, these are great options.

• It can cost anywhere between $45-$250 per image.

• There’s no reason for you to negotiate a rate on your own–we can help!

Yes, it is free but you still need to confirm your source and site your source.

Public Domain• Whitehouse.gov• Any military website• Library of Congress, National

Archives

This is a great research tool for finding images.

Wikipedia

• Often public domain• Usually well-documented• Never should be your last stop in

an photo search

Use at your own risk.

Google and the rest

• A great research tool• Track down the original source• If you can’t verify image source

and/or you can’t get rights, don’t use it!

• Never should be your last stop in an image search

Because it might save you.

Save Your Original

• Preserve the original final name• Make a copy. Work/ Edit on the

copy• The original has metadataExamples:

RTR2TR3M.jpg ReutersAP8911120452.jpg AP42-15154110.jpg Corbis51544394_10.jpg Getty

Z:/Photos

Where should I save my original?

SEO Guide

File Name – Pick a descriptive name for your image file.Examples:

Ukraine-Russian-Soldiers-TOS-20140404-573-322.jpg

Capitol-American-Flags-Half-Mast-20140404-617-462.jpg

Bangkok-Police-Weapons-Protesters-20140404-617-462.jpg

Alt Text – Make sure to fill in the alt text field with the keywords that describe the photo.Examples:

Ukraine Russian Soldiers Stand Guard

Capitol American Flags Fly Half Mast

Bangkok Police Weapons Protesters Clash

File size – Make sure to optimize file size when cropping and saving an image.When saving any image, crop it to the right size and make sure that jpg compression is set to around 60%.

Caption– Describe your image using same keywords as are in the alt text. Credit the source.This is just good form. And it will reduce the number of “bounces” from Google.

Credit the source.• Format: Photographer Name/Photo Source or Agency• Include “Courtesy” when an image is free

Examples:

Youssef Boudlal/Courtesy Reuters

Charles Harrity/AP Images

How to choose photos…and why that even matters

It’s the first thing you need to ask before you look for an image.

What’s the most important question?

What’s the story?

. . . because everything is telling a story.

So you might as well have some say in the matter.

Images = StoryWhether you intend them to or not.

Define yours.Ask the main questions.

What’s the main subject?who, what, when, where, and why

The not so Good.The Good.

Why?

Everything needs to work together.

Quick Photo TheoryA review of the rules.

The Golden RatioRectangle created using the the Fibonacci spiral using logarithmic arcs.

The Golden RatioThe human eye is attracted to this geometric focal point.

This mathematical focal point is found in the natural world.

The Golden RatioIt’s this ratio that is part of the another rule.

The Rule of ThirdsCreates more tension, energy, and interest.

before after

You can use the rule of thirds to help convey motion.

coming

going

What’s the story?

But as with all rules…

…breaking them makes a bold statement.

And bold statements make an impression.

One more concept.

So, what’s going on?

Breaking the frame.

It helps you convey size visually.

You don’t have to be George Lucas.

For photo editing...

www.pixlr.com

Questions? Need Password/Login Info?

Contact:

Katherine WiseMultimedia Coordinator202-509-8404

URL: http://bit.ly/cfrphoto