| Getting
the most out of your images – picture perfect
There are three main ways of obtaining
photography to use in your design – using stock
images from an image library, taking your own pictures
or commissioning a professional photographer.
Image Libraries
Image libraries are a wonderful source of stock photography
covering just about every subject possible. Well-known
image banks include:
Getty
images | Jupiter
images
If you pay for a rights-restricted
images then you are paying for a limited use of the
image and you will need to specify how you are using
it, the size at which it is being used, the print run
and the country of distribution. The price will depend
on these factors and can be many thousands of pounds.
Royalty-free images are often much
cheaper and a good source of pictures for many uses.
You can buy compilation disks of royalty-free images
– a disk of 20-30 images might cost several hundred
pounds which is a cost-effective way of obtaining a
set of images that you can use again and again in your
marketing materials. The royalty-free aspect does mean
that other people can also buy these images, so you
will not have their exclusive use.
I can help you search for appropriate
stock images, either an individual picture or a disk
that you can use as part of your corporate identity.
Taking your
own photographs
While taking your own pictures is probably best avoided
for your flagship marketing brochure, it can be a cost-effective
way of adding human interest to publications such as
the staff newsletter.
Simple tips include:
1.
Pose individuals against a plain background for
head-and-shoulders shots.
2.
Don’t pose people directly in front of a window.
Group teams of people close together – with some
in the foreground and others in the background –
avoid lots of people standing in a straight line! Give
the photographer a clear brief. It will help her/him to
know what the images will be used for and at what size,
eg, a small picture in a newsletter or the entire front
cover of a brochure. Make sure you ask for a selection
of shots – many photographers will provide you with
a contact sheet to choose from (or a disk for digital
photography). 3.
Think about your brand values when providing
the brief – do you want a formal look or would
a friendly, relaxed shot be more appropriate? Should
it be still or dynamic?
Most photographers will retain copyright
in their pictures – the cost of the commission
will give the customer use of the pictures in a specified
format so you need to agree this with your photographer
up front.
The next step...
I would be happy to discuss your
print and web design requirements with you in more detail.
For more information, a competitive quotation, freelance
graphic design rates, pricing or hourly costs, please
call me on 01634 880754
mobile 07979 286437
or email info@danieldesigns.co.uk
with your request.
© Daniel Lowton 2000-2010.
All rights reserved. |
