Taking quality photos for social media doesn’t require a professional camera or photography expertise. With a few simple tips, you can capture engaging, high-quality images using a smartphone or digital camera.
The Marketing Department has cameras available for you to borrow! Just shoot us an email at marketing@worcester.edu to schedule your pick-up time.
Rule of Thirds: Imagine your photo is divided by two horizontal lines and two vertical lines into nine equal parts. Place your subject along these lines or at their intersections to create a more balanced and interesting composition.
Tip: Apply the grid function in your phone’s settings to help compose your shot.
Framing: Use elements in your scene, such as windows, arches, or trees, to frame your subject. This adds depth and focuses attention on the subject.
Tip: Watch out for distracting backgrounds. Ensure the background doesn’t take away from your main focal
point. Before photographing, check the space and remove any clutter.
Natural Light: Natural light often provides the best lighting for your photos. Aim to take pictures in the morning or late afternoon when the light is soft and warm (golden hour). Try to avoid shooting during midday, as the sun can create harsh shadows. If you must shoot during this time, find a shaded area to diffuse the light.
Indoor Lighting: When photographing indoors, use natural light from windows whenever possible. Avoid using the camera flash in well-lit areas, as it can create unflattering shadows and harsh light.
Tip: Don’t position your subject directly in front of a window or the sun, as this can negatively affect the exposure of your photo. In dark rooms, use the flash function and keep subjects close to the camera. It’s especially important to keep the camera steady in low light conditions to avoid blurry images.
Experiment with Angles: Explore different angles to see what works best for your subject. Shoot from above, below, or from the side to find the most interesting perspective.
Tip: Changing the format of your photo can also make it more interesting. Try capturing both horizontal and vertical shots, and experiment with settings like wide angle or panoramic.
Fill the Frame: Don’t be afraid to get close to what you are photographing. This eliminates distractions and emphasizes your main subject.
Tip: Avoid using your phone’s zoom feature. Instead, step closer to your subject and crop the photo later. Leaving some space around the subject allows for adjustments like straightening or cropping.
Focus: Tap on your subject on the screen to ensure it’s in focus. Tap, wait a moment, and give the camera time to focus on the subject.
Tip: Many smartphones have a focus lock feature. To use it, press and hold your finger on the screen until the focus is locked.
Exposure: Adjust the exposure to prevent your photos from being overexposed (too bright) or underexposed (too dark). You can adjust this setting before or after taking the photo.
Tip: When editing photos on your phone, experiment with the various settings and filters to enhance brightness and achieve a more professional look. Many smartphones offer an “Auto” setting that can help you quickly adjust and bring your photo closer to a desired look.
Over Exposed
Under Exposed
Just Right
Slow down, really take your time, and think about what you’re photographing and why. Reflecting on what you want to say and communicate can help inspire a more meaningful shot.
Tip: While reflecting, take a moment to clean your cell phone’s or camera’s lens to ensure clear, sharp images.
Capture people in natural, candid moments. These shots often feel more genuine and engaging. Capture individuals in action rather than just standing or sitting to create a more dynamic and lively image.
Tip: Take multiple shots to avoid issues like closed eyes or awkward expressions. If you’re using an iPhone, consider shooting ‘Live’ photos to select the best frame later.
Basic Edits: Enhance your photos using editing apps like Lightroom, Canva, Snapseed, or VSCO. Adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, and sharpness to make your images pop.
Filters: Apply filters to achieve a cohesive look and feel for your photos. Use filters sparingly, as subtle adjustments often yield the best, most natural results.
Cropping: Crop your photos to improve composition and remove any distracting elements from the edges.
Tip: For editing, I recommend using Canva. Transfer your photos from your phone to your computer and upload them to Canva. Canva allows you to make adjustments to things like brightness, saturation, and contrast, and you can select specific areas to modify, such as the whole image, foreground, or background.
Canva also offers a great library of filters (we use Fresco for most photos on Worcester State’s Instagram) and recently introduced AI tools like the magic eraser, magic grab, and background remover. These tools simplify photo editing, making it easy for those who may not have editing experience. Note that AI features are available only with upgraded accounts.
Unedited
Edited
When selecting photos to post, choose the best ones from your series rather than posting everything. For events where you might have captured hundreds of shots, limit your posts to the most interesting and highest quality images.
Tip: Create a photo selection process by reviewing and narrowing down your images before posting. Consider organizing your photos into albums and selecting a few standout shots to feature.
