Taking Pictures For The Web

As web developers, one of the biggest problems we have is getting suitable images from our clients for their web sites.

You don't have to hire expensive photographers, a little forethought and some experimentation is usually all that is required. If you have a digital camera this is easy, if you dont own a digital camera we certainly recommend investing in one. With savings on film processing it will soon pay for itself, and who knows, you may also discover a new hobby!

Below we have assembled some information from various sources for you.

There are hundreds of resources on the internet on how to take good quality pictures, but not all are relevant for displaying on a web site.

Landscape shots

Many of our clients are in the accommodation industry and as such they like to show images of the surrounding countryside.

The image at right looks fine but it really does nothing to inspire. It is also quite dark, although we can fix that easily enough with some image software.

 

 

 Include a strong point of interest

Your eye needs a place to rest in the picture, so include something of interest—a clump of colourful flowers, a cloud in the sky, a mountain, a tree, a boat.

 

 

 

 

Place the point of interest off-center

The picture will be more interesting if the horizon or your point of interest is not in the center of the picture. Put the horizon a third of the way down from the top (or up from the bottom) of the frame, or the subject a third of the way in from the left or right. Experiment until you find a composition that appeals to you.

 

 

 

Include people for scale

The cliff may not look all that big, especially in a photo—until you put a person next to it. In some scenes, including a person adds a sense of awe by showing the sheer size of your subject.

 

 

 

 

These images show how to add interest by "framing" the landscape and also using perspective.

 

 

 

 

Building Photography

To showcase a building such as a Bed & Breakfast cottage, try and take the photo when the surrounds look their best, and flowers and plants are in full bloom. The images here use the framing technique discussed above to give depth and interest.

Don't be frightened to get creative, try taking photos at different times of the day, at different angles and different camera settings.

 

 

Sell The Sizzle

Many have tired of hearing me say, "sell the sizzle, not the steak", but it holds true. You need to impart the right impression to your visitors.

Instead of a static photo of your accommodation, grab some family or friends and take some candid images of people enjoying themselves over dinner, children playing on the floor or just someone relaxing on a lounge.

 

 

 Images courtesy of Shady Lane Farm http://www.shadylanefarm.com.au & Hill View Cottages, http://www.hillviewcottages.com.au

 For more information on how to easily compose and take digital photographs go to http://www.kodak.com