COB PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTION High-quality photography plays an important role in the college’s marketing strategy. The right image can communicate far more than words can describe and do so in a more influential and engaging manner. OHIO’s University Communications and Marketing team offers several services that should be leveraged to accomplish this goal whenever possible. Note that although UCM costs are very reasonable, COB Marketing and Communications (MarCom) should be consulted if the potential expense of a professional photographer is the only barrier keeping you from using UCM services. The following resources and guidance are provided to College of Business faculty, staff, and students when a professional photographer (through UCM or approved freelance contractors) is unavailable. Please attempt to follow the advice below to ensure your photography can be used in college-wide communications including the COB website. Questions and requests for assistance can be emailed to cobcommunications@ohio.edu. 1. Technical Requirements

• File format: high resolution JPEGs allow MarCom to optimize photographs for most any (print and digital) project, platform, or software.

• Orientation: generally, vertical and portrait orientations are used for directory profiles and biographies. Horizontal and landscape orientations are more appropriate for other purposes (such as brochures and content pages throughout the website) . Although biography/profile photos may be taken in landscape format, they should be appropriately cropped to vertical/portrait prior to sharing files with MarCom.

• Dimensions: the measurement of your photographs depend on their use cases. It’s most helpful (faster) if files are appropriately cropped before sharing with MarCom. When cropping, always keep the original file and save cropped files as a new image. The following dimensions are the sizes that are displayed on the college website (when using a desktop):

o Profile/bio photo: 341x428 pixels o Page banner: 730x408 pixels

This means that even if you submit a headshot that is 3840x4800, it will only display as 341x428 (see “rule of thirds” below). Keep in mind that the college website is responsive, meaning that photo sizes are automatically adjusted to various mobile/tablet sizes.

• File size: generally, all photos should be sent in high-resolution. The larger the file, the better. Photos with high resolution are typically 1MB or greater. So, a photo that is 12KB most likely will not work (too pixilated). The nature of the project (print vs. online) is also important in determining how big the file is.

• OHIO/UCM releases: this is important! All subjects of photography must sign a standard photography release form in order for the college to publish the files you are submitting. Not following this practice places the University at legal risk. This is especially true of minors. See the UCM photography website to learn more and to download the official release document.

• Storage/Archive/Retention: units in the college may share their final (cropped, color-corrected) photos with MarCom using a file sharing service such as OneDrive (supported by OIT), DropBox, Google Drive, etc. MarCom will retain these files in the college’s photo archive for future use, but the department that commissioned the photo should also keep a copy of the file for future use.

2. Composition and Style Requirements • Mood/Tone: When taking photographs, remember that the personality reflected are a part of

the OHIO and COB brands and should therefore be consistent with the way in which we describe ourselves through words, presentations, etc. Attempt to reflect the following descriptions as you compose your photos: new-school business, innovative, engaged, confident but not arrogant, present/warm, welcoming, natural (light). When these characteristics cannot be naturally created, photographers should edit and color correct images prior to them being shared/published. Avoid: old-school business, buttoned up, stuffy, formal, passive, cold, stagnant, stale, staged, and forced. Examples of photographs that reflect our brand include:

• Consistency (primarily regarding the website and profile photos): if you’re adding to a set of existing headshots that are indoors/outdoors, attempt to match the previous backgrounds. For example, if previous portraits were taken using a grey background, the photos you add should have a grey background. Keep this in mind for other parts of the website; it’s common to use the college gateway and college green as backgrounds for student headshots, but not indoor office spaces. Attempt to replicate the style you find in other similar organizations’ and departments’ website photographs.

• Rule of thirds: from Photographymad.com, the rule of thirds involves mentally dividing up your image using two horizontal lines and two vertical lines, as shown below. You then position the important elements in your scene along those lines, or at the points where they meet. This can be more challenging in studio portraits/headshots. Aligning the subjects’ eyes along the top horizontal line and between the two vertical lines allows users to focus on a subject’s face rather than subject’s attire, background (especially in outdoor shots), etc. Examples include:

3. Posing, Positioning, and Professionalism • Attire: consistent with the personality descriptions provided earlier in this document,

subjects should feel comfortable in whatever they choose to wear for a photo shoot. However, there are certain “rules of thumb” that can help ensure photographs result in flattering images for both the subjects and the college. There are several sources of these kinds of tips that can be found online. Regardless of the photographer’s preferences, it’s important to share these details in advance so that subjects are prepared in advance of the photo shoot.

• Consider solid, neutral colors that aren’t extremely bright/loud. Stark white should be avoided unless it’s being worn with/under other colors, there is sufficient contrast with the subject/background, and it doesn’t “wash out” the subject’s skin tone.

• Prints and patterns can be challenging; choose neutral prints and layer them under other solid colors (like a jacket). Even subtle textures (such as can render a dizzying, distracting effect.

• Generally, avoid short sleeves, tank tops, and short sleeves. Also watch for unflattering cuts and fits that the subject may not be aware of as they pose for their photo.

• Personal styling choices including hair, makeup, accessories, etc. are up to the

individual but may become unsuitable in specific contexts. For example, while natural makeup tones may appear fine indoors, subjects may look “blown out” or pale in outdoor lighting. Some hair products may not appear shiny indoors, but overhead lighting may add additional/unintended glare. Be aware of cultural and individual sensitivities that may be out of individuals’ control and avoid recommendations that could be considered disrespectful or hurtful. These are tips that are more often for the photographer to be aware of and should be discretely addressed as needed (not necessarily in advance, unless you are providing information about the specific backgrounds and settings that subjects will be photographed).

• Posture: although subject’s posture should reflect the kind of confidence we describe as part of our brand, be sure to position the subject in a natural way that avoids an uncomfortable appearance. Allow the subject to naturally pose as they wish and then adjust based on various conditions and factors. Typically, having subjects’ arms crossed or having their hands placed around their face/chin, is a sign that they may need to relax, “shake it out” and repose with their hands to their sides/font or in their pockets (which may work if the individual’s lower half is out of the photo frame and not wrinkling other clothing/jacket/etc.). Be conscious of lighting that may be causing glare on a subject’s face and feel free to have individuals move their bodies/heads slightly to reduce certain effects (while being mindful not to tilt in unnatural ways).