Editorial photo basics – Essential requirements • This post wants to offer a list of essential things to know before starting your editorial project.
1. Smartphone camera – As explained previously, your smartphone should provide a 12 Megapixel camera at least to get high quality pictures.
2. File resolution: send the files with the highest resolution of your smartphone camera. The minimum resolution is 3000 pixels on the longest side if rectangular, or 2000 pixels if square.
3. File format: shoot and save your photos in .JPEG.
If you own an iPhone, select
Settings ➜ Camera ➜ Formats ➜ Camera capture ➜ Most Compatible
“To reduce file size, capture photos and videos in the high efficiency HEIF/HEVC format. Most Compatible will always use JPEG/H.264.“ This is very important, because the HEIF format reduces resolution and Picwant requires a minimum resolution of 3000 pixels on the longest side.
If you use a third party app to shoot, such as Camera+ 2, remember to set the JPEG format in its settings.
If you have an Android smartphone, the device will automatically save your images in .JPEG.
4. Shape – Before starting, plan the feature. Look at your subjects and try to figure out if it’s better to capture landscape or portrait photos.
Landscape format
Portrait format
5. Shoot Color photos, no black and white.
6. Minimum number of shots – When you want to create a feature, you have to take several shots, more than one. There’s no rule that says exactly how many photos, but what’s important is that they tell and show a story, its characters, places, background, details, etc. Based on experience, you should take 10 photos at least so that a feature can be thorough.
7. Preparing for the shoot – Before starting your feature, check
- the memory on your device. In case, free up the space.
- the battery. Remember to charge up your smartphone.
- the kit bag, that contains all of the tools you’ll need.
- the weather forecast.
- the lens. It must be clean.
- the flight mode. Turn it on to avoid to be disturbed while shooting.
8. Doing tests – When you reach the place of the shooting, test the camera settings, white balance and shutter speed for instance, and find the best adjustments for the scene and the best spots to capture your subjects. Only than, start taking pictures.
