A Picture is Worth 1000 Words In Print or Online

Joyce Remy, Senior Editor

"A picture is worth 1000 words" certainly holds true in all the print and web publications of your organization. The key question is: are the 1000 words the ones you would choose to convey your message?

When customers go to your website, glance at a brochure, or pick up the latest issue of your organization's newsletter, it's the photos that first catch their eye. Photos help tell your story and help set the tone for publications.

Your Caresource team uses state-of-the-art scanning equipment and photoediting software to bring out the best in your photos.  Of course, the better the photo we start with, the better the results! Here are some tips to help your photos do the best job they can to promote your organization:

Digital photos preferred:

• Send photos as JPGs
  
  
• The optimal resolution for clear photos is 150-300 ppi (pixels per inch). Your camera's user manual will tell you how to do this. (This article in Shooting and Sharing Digital Photos for Dummies might also be helpful.)
  
  
• One photo per e-mail works best.
  
  
• Digital photography gives you the advantage of checking the photo right away. If it could be better, take another one. (If you can't decide which shot is best, send several we'll choose the one that reproduces best.)

For all photos:

• Shots of smiling people who are obviously enjoying themselves help create the upbeat tone you want for your communications and publications. Action shots add interest.
  
  
• Avoid group shots or roomfuls of people. Instead, zoom in on one or two individuals. Have people in a group stand close together. Close-ups provide the clearest detail.
  
  
• Choose light, uncluttered backgrounds when possible.
  
  
• Avoid taking photos in which the light source is in the background. In other words, you want to light up the people's faces so stand with your back to the window or sun, not your subject's back. (For subjects with darker skin tones, this is especially important.)
  
  
• Polaroids reproduce poorly, and we do not recommend using them.

Stock photos

If you don't have a photo for a particular need, Caresource can provide stock photos suitable for a wide variety of healthcare and eldercare-related articles. Let us know if you'd like to do this.