Photography

ETSU Brand

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Composition

Photography composition is the arrangement of visual elements within a photograph to create a pleasing and balanced image. It involves making deliberate decisions about how to position objects, lines, shapes, and colors in the frame to guide the viewer's eye and convey a particular mood or message. 

Here are some best practices for photography composition: 

  • Rule of Thirds: involves dividing the frame into a grid of nine equal parts, with the main subject placed along the intersections of the lines. This creates a more dynamic and balanced image. For example, you can add this grid view on all iPhones. 
  • Leading Lines: These are lines that draw the viewer's eye into the image and toward the subject. Examples include roads, paths, and rivers.
  • Symmetry and Patterns: These elements can add a sense of balance and order to the image and make it more visually appealing. 
  • Depth: Creating a sense of depth in the image can make it more engaging and immersive. This can be achieved using foreground, middle ground, and background elements. 
  • Framing: Using natural elements such as trees or human-made elements such as arches or doorways to frame the subject can create a sense of depth and draw the viewer's eye toward the subject. 
  • Negative Space: Including empty space around the subject can create a sense of simplicity and focus on the main subject. 
  • Contrast: Playing with light and dark tones can create a dramatic effect and make the subject stand out more. 

These are just a few of the many composition techniques that photographers use to create compelling images. The key is to experiment and find what works best for the specific subject and message that you want to convey. 

Color and Light

Light is an essential element in photography, as it determines the brightness, contrast, and color of the image. Proper use of light can help to create a mood or emotion, highlight the subject, and add depth and texture to the image. 

Here are some best practices for using light in photography: 

  • Understand the direction and quality of light: Soft, diffused light, such as that on an overcast day or from a cloudy sky, can be great for portraits, while harsh, direct light, such as that from the midday sun, can create strong shadows and contrast. 
  • Use natural light when possible: Try to shoot during the "golden hour" when the sun is low in the sky, which creates soft, warm light with long shadows. Avoid shooting during the middle of the day when the sun is high in the sky and creates harsh light. 
  • Experiment with artificial light: Artificial light, such as flash or studio lighting, can be used to create specific effects and control the direction and quality of light. Be mindful of the temperature and intensity of the light and avoid harsh and unnatural-looking lighting. 
  • Pay attention to the color temperature: Different sources of light have different color temperatures, which can affect the overall color of the image. For example, incandescent light bulbs produce warm, orange-yellow light, while fluorescent light bulbs produce cool, blue-green light. Adjust the white balance setting on your camera/phone to compensate for the color temperature of the light source. 
  • Don't be afraid to play with shadows: Shadows can add drama and depth to the image. Experiment with positioning your subject in relation to the light source to create interesting shadow patterns. 

These are just a few of the many techniques that photographers use to work with light in their images. The key is to experiment with different types of light and see how they affect the mood, texture, and overall look of your photographs. 

Editing

ETSU achieves a unique look in its photos by utilizing a set of Lightroom Presets (filters). If you have access to Adobe Creative Suite, you can download and utilize the ETSU presets.

Best Practices 

  • Crop and straighten: Use the crop tool to remove any unwanted elements from the edges of your photo. Also, make sure to straighten the horizon if it appears tilted. 
  • Adjust exposure: If your photo is too dark or too bright, use the exposure adjustment tool to make it look more balanced. Experiment with brightness, highlights, shadows, and contrast to find the right balance. 
  • Enhance colors: Boost the vibrancy or saturation of your photo to make the colors pop. Be careful not to overdo it, as it can make the image look unnatural. Adjust the white balance to correct any color cast in your photo. 
  • Sharpen selectively: Use the sharpening tool to enhance the details in your photo. However, apply sharpening selectively to avoid making the entire image look oversharpened. Focus on the areas that require more clarity and sharpness. 
  • Remove distractions: If there are any distracting elements in your photo, such as dust spots, blemishes, or unwanted objects, use the clone or healing tool to remove them. This will help draw attention to the main subject of your photo. 
  • Experiment with filters: Many photo editing software programs and apps offer pre-designed filters or presets. These can instantly change the mood or tone of your photo. Try different filters to see which one enhances the overall look and feel of your image. 
  • Don't over-edit: It's easy to get carried away with editing, but remember to maintain a natural look. Avoid excessive use of filters, heavy-handed adjustments, or unrealistic effects. Strive for a balanced and pleasing result that still looks authentic. 
  • Save a copy: Always work on a copy of your original photo and save it separately. This way, you can go back to the original if you're not satisfied with your edits or want to try a different approach. 

Standard Formats

Each social media platform has its own recommended image and video formats for optimal display and performance. Here are some of the standard formats to keep in mind for Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and LinkedIn:

Twitter

  • Profile picture: 400 x 400 pixels
  • Header image: 1500 x 500 pixels
  • In-stream image: 1200 x 675 pixels
  • Maximum file size: 5 MB for photos, 513 MB for animated GIFs, and 512 MB for videos

Instagram

  • Profile picture: 110 x 110 pixels 
  • Post image: 1080 x 1080 pixels (square), 1080 x 1350 pixels (portrait), or 1080 x 608 pixels (landscape) 
  • Stories image: 1080 x 1920 pixels 
  • Reels image: 1080 x 1920 pixels 
  • IGTV video: 1080 x 1920 pixels (vertical), 1920 x 1080 pixels (horizontal) 
  • Maximum file size: 4 GB for videos, 15 MB for photos 

Snapchat

  • Profile picture: 128 x 128 pixels 
  • Snap image: 1080 x 1920 pixels (vertical) 
  • Maximum file size: 32 MB for photos and videos 

Facebook

  • Profile picture: 180 x 180 pixels (displayed as 170 x 170 pixels on desktop, 128 x 128 pixels on smartphones, and 36 x 36 pixels on feature phones) 
  • Cover photo: 820 x 312 pixels 
  • Shared image: 1200 x 630 pixels 
  • Shared link image: 1200 x 628 pixels 
  • Event cover photo: 1200 x 628 pixels 
  • Facebook stories: 1080 x 1920 pixels 
  • Facebook videos: 1280 x 720 pixels 
  • Maximum file size: 4 GB for videos, 25 MB for photos

LinkedIn

  • Profile picture: 400 x 400 pixels 
  • Background image: 1584 x 396 pixels 
  • Company logo: 300 x 300 pixels 
  • Company cover image: 1536 x 768 pixels 
  • Shared image: 1200 x 627 pixels 
  • Shared link image: 1200 x 628 pixels 
  • Video: maximum resolution of 4096 x 2304 pixels and minimum resolution of 256 x 144 pixels, aspect ratio of 1:2.4 to 2.4:1, maximum file size of 5 GB, and maximum length of 10 minutes
  • Maximum file size: 8 MB for images and 5 GB for videos

It's important to note that these recommended formats may change over time, so it's a good idea to check the latest guidelines for each platform to ensure that your images and videos look their best. 

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Photo Library

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