Getting Pictures?

• Websites need illustrations
• Video clubs are for people who take pictures
• Perfect match?
  No.

But what we see most often are uninspiring photos or poorly drawn logos.

If you meet in an attractive or easily recognised place you might use a picture as your front-page logo.

People like people

Films are our life

But the pictures have to tell us something about those people. (If you get the chance, look at a "casting book" with pictures of actors. Each presents a neutral portrait, hoping a director will see how that face could be made to look happy or tragic or whatever is needed for the next production. Such images are profoundly boring.)

A few good screen-grabs can say a lot about the nature of a film. They make people want to see the video and to meet the folk who made it. They are usually more interesting and dramatic than talks and demonstrations in the clubroom.

Taking pictures

Finding pictures

Take lots of pictures at the club, during events and when filming. Lots and lots. At home afterwards you can sift through them to choose a handful of the very best. Close-ups work better on the web than long shots. Big close-ups are even better.

If the situation allows - step forward and pose people, move things, add lights and so on. At the time people may tut-tut but when they see the results they are happy. If you cannot interrupt, grab what you can from as many angles and degrees of close-up as possible ... then try to catch the main people concerned in a break or after the event and pose them. They might grumble but most people are flattered to be asked.

Most women have a good idea of their "best side" and how to pose. Most men are clue-less. Next time you are in a pub or restaurant where they hang pictures of celebrities who have visited them, note how the stars look assured, pleasant and comfortable while the restaurant staff look embarrassed. Check the poses of the stars and encourage your subject to adopt an appropriate one.

Taking good portraits is a special skill and needs decent camera technique but also a good way of relating to the subject of your picture. For a general guide look at http://photo.net/learn/portraits

Almost any picture in a book, magazine, on a record cover, and poster is out of bounds, as are most images on the web … but not all.

There are websites of "stock images" which sell the right to use their pictures. Some also have free images e.g. Stock.XCHNG (www.sxc.hu) - check the terms of use for each picture.

Creative Commons refers to licences intended to help the sharing of pictures and information without charge, but subject to some limits. (Most Wikipedia content comes with such a licence, so it can be used easily. Look at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page) Many pictures on photo site Flickr (see www.flickr.com/creativecommons) are available under this scheme.

And you can always ask. More than once I have found a great image online, emailed the photographer, explained what I wanted to use it for and that there was no money available. Many people allow the use provided you give them the credit for the work.

Go to Getting & Using Pictures

Website Makeover Guides - Introduction

What Should the Content Be? | Navigation | Planning Navigation | Anchors & Links | Words | Getting Pictures | Getting & Using Pictures
Processing Pictures | Video | Presentation Pictures | Colours | Layout Principles | Layout Schemes | Fonts | What is SEO?
Search Engine Factors | Check Your Search Ranking | Stay Legal | Website Health Check | Website No Goes more to come ...

A Beginner's Guide to Creating a Club Website with Weebly

Don't Panic! | Signing up to Weebly | Making your first (elegant) page | Adding more pages and navigation
Adding pictures and words | Creating a complex Coming Soon Page | Adding Forms, Emails, Maps and Videos.

IAC Competition to find the Best Club Website 2011