Finding just the right imagery for your e-learning courses can be tricky. Even with access to an asset library, such as Content Library 360, you might find yourself wanting to use an image of your actual office or of your teammates. What better way to clearly illustrate your workspace or teammates than by using photos of the real deal!? And since just about everyone has access to a smartphone with a camera, taking your own pictures for e-learning has never been easier. If you’re considering giving this a try, you’ll want to check out these tried-and-true tips from the e-learning pros.
Tip 1: Plan Ahead
It’s a good idea to think through the photographs you’ll need ahead of time. Think about the specific shots you’ll need. Looking for background images? Perhaps you’ll need exterior and interior photos of the office space. Consider if you’ll need to prep the locations or do a cleanup beforehand and if the weather could impact your photos. If you’re shooting photos with people, talk to your models ahead of time and plan out any important details such as wardrobe. Also, think about your course content and the poses you want to capture. Furthermore, as mentioned by Robin Weggeman in this conversation, you should also consider ahead of time how to take the photos—landscape or portrait?
Tip 2: Check Your Company Policy
As Jackie Binder mentioned in a helpful tip, it’s a good idea to verify if there is an existing company policy regarding photography. Depending on the nature of your work and industry, there might sensitivities or rules around taking photos of the workplace or the employees. A good place to start? Check with the human resources department.
Tip 3: Adjust Your Camera Settings
Depending on the phone and camera you’re using, there are likely tweaks you can make to the camera settings to improve your photos. As John Morris shared in this community discussion, a few simple changes, such as adjusting the white balance and tweaking the exposure, can really improve the quality of the final shot.
Tip 4: Edit Your Photos
Once you’ve taken your photos, there’s a lot you can do in terms of post-capture editing to improve the look and quality of your photo. Cropping and rotating, adjusting the colors and saturation, and lightening or darkening your images are a few of the basic things you can do to improve your photos. You can also try something a little more playful, like Ulises Musseb mentions in this discussion, such as converting photos into cartoons or vector artwork. Or, as Michael Oppenheimer suggests, you might use a photo-editing tool to remove the background of an image.
Before you carry out your next photoshoot, consider the tips and best practices outlined above. You’ll be better prepared to capture the photos you need the first time, which will help you create that perfect look for your e-learning project. Do you have any tips of your own when it comes to taking photos for e-learning? Let me know in the comments!
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Published 5 years ago
Version 1.0
