Campus spaces

Modern smartphone cameras are set up to take great indoor and outdoor photography, often responsively. If your images are intended for print, then please submit an equipment request.

Golden rules

• Clean your lens.
• If there are people in your images, make sure there are no visible images or logos on clothing.
• Collect the correct consents before you shoot.

Consent

Before taking any images, it is important to make sure you are aware of our consent guidance. 

Framing and composition

• Campus photography may be both landscape and portrait, depending on what you’re focusing on.
• Unless you’re focusing on a striking visual element, aim to show our facilities and spaces in action.
• To frame your shot naturally, search for in-scene elements to use, eg windows, walls, trees etc. You can use natural framing in front of the photos’ subject, or behind it.
• Look out for anything that might distract from the image you want to take and find a way to work around it, eg by changing the angle or moving position entirely.
• Consider using the rule of thirds. This is a rule-of-thumb where you break an image down into thirds (horizontally and vertically), dividing the image into nine pieces and four gridlines. You then position the key elements of your shot along the gridlines, leading to a more effective composition. Your camera app should have a grid feature, or you can finesse this when you edit your images.

Lighting

• Have the sun or main source of light behind you. 
If you shoot directly at the sun or main light source, the image will be out of focus and distorted
• Watch out for light glaring off surfaces.
• If the sun is behind you, your images will have a natural light, which is great for highlighting interesting details.
• For indoor photos, try to make the most of soft lighting rather than direct light.
• Avoid harsh and mixed lighting as this will wash people out.
• You can make a scene darker or brighter (adjusting the exposure) with your camera app. If you’re an iPhone user, drag the sun icon (on the right of the focus confirmation box) up to brighten an image or down to darken it. Android phones users will see a +/- icon for exposure adjustment.
• If you’re shooting outside, early morning and late afternoon are best.
• Check that the subjects’ faces are brighter than the background.

Phone settings

• Set the resolution to the highest option available.
• The standard 4:3 ratio is perfect for general photography.
• Turn on HDR mode for high-contrast scenes, especially if you’re shooting in bright light.
• If your camera app has the option to focus manually, use it for sharp and focused images.
• Avoid digital zoom.