Yearbook Photography–the Basics

Posted on by Carla Hansen

A yearbook would just be a journal without photos, right? So it’s safe to say that it’s the yearbook photography that makes a yearbook, well, a yearbook. If the photography isn’t fabulous, then all the great graphics, stunning layouts and gripping copy in the world can’t make up for it. Because a yearbook is the one place that proves the “a picture is worth a thousand words” adage.

September is the perfect month to establish the guidelines for your yearbook photography, so we’ve put together a very short but comprehensive guide (with some links to our favorite educational photo site: digital-photography-school.com) to photography that should make make your staff stronger photographers and better photo editors as they begin building their pages.

THE BASICS OF EXPOSURE

Three functions of your camera work together to produce the correct exposure: ISO, aperture, and shutter speed.

  • ISO indicates the camera’s sensitivity to light. The higher the number, the less light you need, BUT the grainer the photograph.
  • Aperture is how wide the lens is open and determines how much of the photo will be in focus. When the lens is wide open, only a little of the photo will be in focus. When the lens is open only a small amount, almost everything will be in focus.
  • Shutter Speed is how long the shutter of the lens stays open. A fast shutter speed is necessary to freeze moving objects while a slow shutter speed is fine for stationary objects.
Wide open aperture means less in focus.
Wide open aperture means less in focus.
When aperture is closed down, most of photo will be in focus.
When aperture is closed down, most of photo will be in focus.

 

Slow shutter speed will result in a moving object being blurred.
Slow shutter speed will result in a blurry moving object.
Fast shutter speed freezes motion.
Fast shutter speed freezes motion.

THE BASICS OF COMPOSITION

There are seven rules of composition: Rule of thirds, framing, center of interest, balance, leading lines and curves, pattern and repetition, and camera angle. We’ll take a look at each one separately.

Rule of Thirds

Use this basic guideline for a well-balanced, pleasing image. First, divide the frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically. Then, place the subject at the intersection of any two lines.

Place center of interest in the intersection of any two lines.
Place center of interest in the intersection of any two lines.
Giving your subject room to move within the frame.
Using the intersections gives your subject room to move within

 

Framing

When you “frame” a photo, you place objects in the foreground to give the illusion of three dimensions. The most effective framing occurs when the object in the foreground helps tell the story of the photograph.

Notice the choice of depth of field that adds to the strong framing.
Notice the choice of depth of field that adds to the strong framing.
The music stand helps tell the whole story.
The music stand helps tell the whole story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Center of Interest

Control where the eye goes first by having one dominate element in each photo. This is the subject of your photograph. In yearbook photography, this is most often a person or a group of people.

Depth of field helps lead the eye to the center of interest.
Depth of field helps lead the eye to the center of interest.
Often the eyes of the subject can lead to the center of interest.
Often the eyes of the subject can lead to the center of interest.
Rule of thirds helped determine the center of interest on this single face.
Rule of thirds helped determine the center of interest on this single face.

 

 

 

 

 

Balance

Giving a sense of balance within the frame does not mean centering your subject. Place the main subject a little off center  because it is more pleasing to the eye.

Balance
The center of interest is not perfectly centered in the frame.
The back end of the horse and the rider's head create balance.
The back end of the horse and the rider’s head create balance.
The action is not in the direct center of the frame.
The action is not in the direct center of the frame.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leading Lines And Curves

Lines and curves direct the viewer’s attention to the center of visual interest. Where the photographer stand to take the picture helps determine the effectiveness of strong leading lines. Curves also lead the eye into a particular point in the photograph.

Two lines lead us to the adult in the photo.
Two lines lead us to the adult in the photo.
The lines give a stronger sense of motion.
The lines give a stronger sense of motion.
The strong curves of the instrument lead to the boy's face.
The strong curves of the instrument lead to the boy’s face.

 

Pattern and Repetition

While patterns draw the viewer into the picture, it’s the break in the repetition that is most interesting. Sometimes repetition is found with the subjects themselves, rather than in the objects around them. This is the most powerful way to use repetition in yearbook photography.

The interruption of pattern leads to the center of interest.
The interruption of pattern leads to the center of interest.
The repetition of both feet and hands creates the power of this photo.
The repetition of both feet and hands creates the power of this photo.

 

Camera Angle

The best photographers move around their subject, taking shots from above, below and from one side, then the other. Everything from sports to activities to academics will be more interesting with a creative camera angle.

Getting close often gives the best results.
Getting close often gives the best results.
The best angle often requires getting into the action.
The best angle often requires getting into the action.
Look all around for the most interesting perspective.
Look all around for the most interesting perspective.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOW GO PRACTICE!

You’ve got the basics of yearbook photography, so now it’s all about doing it. The more you shoot, the easier it will become to incorporate the basic elements into your frames. And when you return to the staff room and begin looking through your photographs, use a critical eye, keeping each of these elements in mind as you make your choices.

For more photography tips, check out these great websites:

digital-photography-school.com

exposureguide.com

geofflawrence.com

2 thoughts on “Yearbook Photography–the Basics”

  1. These tips are all way cool! We had a cool yearbook in high school that inspired me to pick up photography, and I wanted to get some more tips! I really like your idea of breaking the pattern, on the bleachers. I’ll have to try that one next!

    Reply

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