Your technical workplace is more photogenic than you think
Photography may not be the first thing you think of when you sign up for a technical role (unless you’re a photography technician, of course), but taking a great photo is an essential skill for all technicians. There are a myriad of reasons:
- You’re reporting on a placement you’ve been on
- You’re preparing a conference presentation
- You need photos to support your grant bid
- You’re writing a post on LinkedIn
The list goes on.
This blog will give you ten top tips to turn blurry, wonky pictures into world-class images that tell a story. In my time as UK ITSS’ Technical Skills and Knowledge Exchange Lead, I’ve been sent plenty of good photos of technical staff on placement in other technical workplaces — but just as many bad ones!
(While this blog is mainly targeted at technicians about to start or currently on knowledge exchange placements, all the tips below are still of use in other situations.)
Let’s get started.
Why bother taking a good photo?
Good photos don’t take long, can bring your written pieces alive, and strengthen your work’s overall look, reputation and trustworthiness. Remember that you work with some cool equipment, in state-of-the-art buildings, on scenic campuses. The subject of your work is often cinematic: the data you analyse, the athletes you support, the 3D prints you create. Don’t forget that not everyone has had the privilege of seeing this before.
1) Do the basics
Clean the camera lens(es). Then look at what’s in frame: switch off or angle away distracting screens, move unwanted people out of shot, and clear away litter, mugs and stray office furniture in the foreground.
2) Take your time
Let people around you know that you need a few minutes to take some good photos. Manage their expectations and get them involved. Most people enjoy participating in something positive like this. Otherwise, you’re just the person sneaking around with a camera.
Make sure to ask for their permission to be in the photo for GDPR purposes.
3) Follow the rule of thirds
Picture your frame split into nine boxes (see example above). Most phones will draw the grid for you if you switch it on in the settings (click here to see how).
Put your subject on one of those lines, or where two cross, rather than dead centre. It’s a small change that makes a photo look considered rather than just a nonchalant snap.
That said, dead centre works fine when the shot is symmetrical e.g. a machine straight on or a solo portrait.
Rule of thirds diagram
4) Lighting
Light should mostly come from behind you as the photographer. Be wary of overhead artificial lighting casting shadows over faces and equipment. Also, if there is a window in the room, get it behind you rather than behind your subject.
5) Portrait or landscape?
If you are unsure of which format to take the photo in, why not try both? It costs you an extra 10 seconds, and you can’t go back later.
6) Keep it straight
Keep the camera level side to side. A tilted bench or worktop is the quickest way to make a photo look accidental. Shoot straight on rather than angled up or down, which usually means holding the camera at the same height as your subject.
Remember the grid you turned on for the rule of thirds? Use that as a reference for lining things up rather than eyeballing it. You can also straighten an image on your phone, find out how to for Iphone or Samsung.
7) Group photos
Candid, informal photos work well. Get people to wave their certificate or their hands or throw in a jazz hand or two. It may feel cheesy, but a short moment of cringe buys you a much more energetic photo. Make sure everyone is equally in the shot. We don’t want anyone half-cropped or hidden by a taller colleague.
8) 0.5x and 1.5x zoom
My kids showed me this one the other day. Most phones now let you tap 0.5x for a much wider view (like stepping backwards without actually moving) or 1.5x and above to zoom in closer. Try these before you go wandering backwards and forwards around the room.
Credit to Adrian McGarry. https://adrianmcgarry.com/zoom-levels-on-iphone-17-pro-max
9) Invite other people
Everyone likes a personal story. Including other people in your photo gives the viewer more to engage with. Invite your host if you’re on a placement (senior leaders love a promo shot) or a teammate if you’re in your normal workplace. Write down the names of the people in the shot and the equipment as soon as you can. There’s no guarantee you’ll remember either at a later date.
10) Click! Click! Click!
Photos on your phone are free. Take as many as you can so you’ve got something to choose from, and change things between shots: the orientation, the distance to your subject, the angle, who’s in frame.
You’ll be taking world-class photos in no time.
Photography is one of those skills that isn’t in the job description but makes the job easier, and it’s far from the only one. The UK ITSS Learning and Development Academy runs practical courses for technical professionals in career development, leadership, project management, and teaching and training. Browse what’s on offer here.