Tips for Pix

We always like photos from Camp Yale events. We post them on our social media pages and share them with other Yale-centric sites. It’s how we get the word out about Camp Yale.

We often ask for photos of “Yalies having fun”, which is our shorthand for a mix of candids and group photos. Group photos (yes, that includes posed ones) gives a sense of both the composition of the group and how many came. Candids are more illustrative of the event itself.

Below are some tips from Kevin Winston, founder of Yale in Hollywood.

• Take some group shots. Candids are nice, but it’s always good to have a few posed shots when people are looking at the camera and not mid talking, eating, or drinking.

  

• Get folks’ attention. If you’re trying to take some posed smiling photos at a networking event, just stand nearby some people with your phone/ camera out. They will eventually look over at you, and you can politely announce you are taking photos for the event to post on Facebook or your newsletter. Then ask “Can you pose?”

  

• Have folks face the light. They will pose, and you can take the shot. If it’s day, ask them to face the window, then their faces are lit. If it’s night, make sure your subjects are facing the light source, or use a flash.
• Ask for approval. After you take the pic, show it to them and ask if everyone approves.
• Check pix before posting. Before posting on social media or your newsletter, look at everyone in the pic to make sure everyone is looking, no one eyes closed or mid-eating. Ask yourself: would everyone in this pic be happy with it posted online. If no, then don’t post it. Make sure your photo quality is good: bright, not blurry, etc. You can increase brightness with the Photos app, Instagram, or Snapseed free app, or dozens of other apps.
• Post and tag. Then post away, and tag anyone you know in it so they can see it and like it, or tell you to take it down.
• That’s it! Try it!

And one more tip from Stuart Cohen ’70: Get closer.

• Have folks get close to each other. People tend to spread out. Remind them to squeeze closer. For large groups, have folks turn sideways. Remember to put taller people in the back and shorter ones in front – three rows if necessary.

  

• Fill the frame – get close to them. For group photos especially, move in as close as necessary to have the group fill the camera frame (or viewfinder).