Guidelines Tips and tricks for Coroplast photographers

For cameras and smartphones:

• Set your device to the highest possible resolution.
• Your device should not compress the images.
• Please do not modify image data and do not use any filters or effects.
• Only switch on the flash when necessary (e.g. when very dark or with backlight).
• It is best not to use a digital zoom, so please do not enlarge an image section via the display to avoid loss of quality.

Additional information for cameras:

• Use a shutter speed of at least 1/60 sec. to avoid blurring.
• Please do not use an aperture with a value smaller than 8 to ensure that your images are always sufficiently sharp.

• It is better to take too many pictures rather than too few.
• Take your time, gain an overall impression, and talk to the people to create a relaxed atmosphere.
• Natural snapshots are better than staged images (working environment, typical situations of an event, interaction).
• Don’t forget the details that help to illustrate the topic, such as rooms, flipcharts, tablets, etc.
• Please avoid “cramped” gestures such as thumbs-up or victory signs.

• Stand consciously and steadily when taking a picture (do not walk, keep the camera steady).
• Focus the image on what you really want to portray. Get close up to the subject you want to photograph!
• Please choose neither too narrow nor too wide image sections (leeway helps us with the placement, but section enlargements cost quality).
• If possible, correct your distance to the subject by moving the camera; zooming should only be the second choice.
• If possible, stand at an equal height to person or people you are photographing.
• If possible, do not photograph individuals directly from the front, but from a more advantageous 3/4 angle.
• When taking group photos: Please position the people so that everyone is easy to see. Everyone should look into the camera (relaxed expression, smiling, but not too exuberantly).
• Photograph groups slightly off-center (dynamics, intensity).

• Make sure the lighting is well balanced (not too much contrast or difference in brightness).
• Preferably, select bright environments (less risk of blurring, increased sharpness, better data).
• If sharp contrasts cannot be avoided: Focus on the most important part of the picture to obtain the best possible exposure (on smartphones, touch the important part of the picture) and switch on the flash if necessary.
• In low light conditions, use the flash or use a tripod for longer exposures.
• If possible, do not place people in the backlight (use the flash if necessary).
• Do not allow people to look directly into the sun, as they are more likely to close their eyes.
• It is better to photograph slightly too dark than too light (brightening works better than darkening).
• Color casts are no problem, as we can process them.

• Always export original formats from your camera or smartphone.
• Please do not process the photos (file size, image format, color, contrast, etc.).
• Send us your images via e-mail or on a data carrier (not via WhatsApp, for example, as it automatically scales down or compresses the images).