A guide to supplying good quality photographs to The Chiltern Society.

Where the advice touches on aspects of the law the author and the Chiltern Society can accept no responsibility for errors and omissions. If you are in any doubt about the legal aspects of the Chiltern Society publishing your photographs please consult the Secretary of the Society.


Taking colour photographs for publication

Think about format: is portrait or landscape going to be better for publication?

The better the exposure of your photo, the better it will reproduce. If you are in doubt take three photos: what you think is the correct exposure, one over-exposed and one under-exposed, each by one f-stop. Some digital cameras will do this for you. Err on the side of exposing for the highlights, not the shadows, when using a digital camera.

Using a tripod concentrates the mind wonderfully and is recommended when the light is low (especially when photographing church interiors).

Expose for the key subject matter only; make allowance if your camera's meter is also registering the bright sky.

When taking people get close and concentrate on faces, not whole figures. When taking groups don't hesitate to arrange them the way you want. Always try to include a relevant background.

Head and shoulder photos are often best taken out of direct sunlight so you don't get a lot of contrast on faces (but be careful to expose for the shadow areas). Fill-in flash and a lens hood can be useful in these conditions.

Lighting direction is often important. Landscapes usually look best with lowish side lighting: some photographers forget all about their cameras between 11.00am and 4.00pm in the summer months.


Legal constraints

The "right to privacy" can be an issue. Release forms are available from the editor of the PhotoGroup website covering two situations:

(1) When you photograph a person who is recognizable and prominent in the picture and a) appears to be under 18 or b) is not in a public place or c) could be embarrassed by publication of the photograph.

(2) When you take photos from privately owned land, unless you are shooting from an area of public access, e.g. a footpath.

Be aware of police powers: the right of photographers to take pictures in public places is still being questioned by police under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act. Click on the following link for information on your rights and police powers. 
http://photographernotaterrorist.org/bust-card/

Quiller Barrett Editor, ChilternPhotos

webphotos@chilternphoto.org.uk


Revised September 2011