Photography & Videography
Engaging audiences visually is an essential part of story-telling. These visual resources are designed to help you increase engagement in your content through the use of strong visuals.
Copyright: Refer to the ANR Administrative Handbook, Section 215 and APPENDIX B, Photographic, Video and Audio Recordings in the ANR Environment. It is imperative that you do not violate copyright laws when you use photos, videos and audio recordings created by other people.
Photography
Image Library
There is a curated library of production-quality images within the UCOP WebDam account. Anyone in UC ANR is welcome to use these images in their materials. Please credit the photographer when you use an image (note: this applies to images taken by UC ANR colleagues as well, not just those in the WebDam).
We recommend avoiding stock photography as much as possible. If there is no other option than using a stock photo, there are free photos available from the USDA. Free SnapEd photos can be found here. There is also a free resource called unsplash.com.
How to get access to WebDam:
Register (you only have to do this once):
1. Go to https://ucop.webdamdb.com
2. Select "register" under the login box.
3. Agree to terms
4. Fill out required information
5. Click on “Register” at the bottom.
7. If you have a ucanr.edu email address, you will gain access to the UC ANR folder after registering. If you do not have a ucanr.edu address, send an email to Linda Forbes letting her know you would like access and she will initiate a manual step with UCOP.
8. Log-in and download photos from the UC ANR folder.
Downloading Photos
1. One photo at a time: Just click on the orange “download” box next on the right of the photo view. Click on accept to proceed.
2. Photo size: All the photos can be used for printing as they are 300 dpi. When you download, it will give you a choice of Download size: for print choose original file, for screen choose small (800px) or very small (400px) depending on how it will be used. It’s better to size down than to try to size up.
3. Many photos: You can download many photos at once by setting up a lightbox.
a. Click on “Lightbox” in the top menu bar
b. Click on “Create new Lightbox”
c. Name the Lightbox and click OK
d. Make the Lightbox active by clicking on “Click to make it your ACTIVE Lightbox now.” at the top of the page.
e. Go back to Home to view more photos
f. When you have chosen a photo, instead of clicking “Download” click “Add to Lightbox”
g. When you are done click on “Lightbox” on the top menu bar. In the left column of the page, click on “Download images to computer”
h. Click on the orange “Download” box. Choose download size.
i. The downloaded photos will be saved in a zipped file. Open the zip file and extract the photos.
Searching for Photos
Use the search box in the left column of the Homepage. Select the "Home" folder to search the entire photo Gallery for particular keywords (tomatoes, cows, etc.). Select the UC ANR folder to search for UC ANR images (includes all subfolders) that match your keywords.
Taking your own photos
Model Release Forms: Ask the people in your photos and videos to sign these forms so that you may use the images (or videos) without restriction. Keep the release forms on file as they grant The Regents of the University of California, its employees, agents, and representatives permission to use photographs, videos, or audio recordings in any publications, including websites, without payment or other consideration.
With children you need to keep careful documentation and have photo releases signed by all the parents. When taking photos at events, you don’t need photo releases for each participant, but you should post a notice at the event with language indicating that the event is being photographed, and that participation in the event acknowledges that one’s photo may be taken and used for promotional purposes. Additionally, with any close-up photos we also ask the person to sign a release.
The official media release record should be held for a period of 5 years after the end of the fiscal year in which the records are received or created. All copies of the record should be stored only as long as they are useful but no longer than the official record. Please delete or destroy after the retention period has passed.
Fillable Release Form - English
Fillable Release Form - Spanish
Shooting tips
Shoot impactful images. Imagery represents who we are to the public. Consider the where/why images will be used and create a basic stock image collection for your specific need. Stock images can easily be used as fillers to establish consistency with topics, color, patterns, themes, etc. (great for quick social media use).
Be mindful of your audience. Images are an invitation for an audience to experience ANR and ideally promote interest and relationships. Know your audience - focus on details and scenes that will resonate, interest and capture attention while communicating the expertise and core values of ANR.
Know a little of the “why” behind your shoot – be engaged. Images will reflect our branding if you as the photographer enjoy what or whom you’re shooting. Ask a few questions, listen and create the framework of storytelling.
Know your gear. Expensive doesn’t necessarily produce the wow factor but composition will. Knowing equipment availability and limitations in advance will allow for the best possible creative outcome.
Photo cohesiveness and intention. Try to incorporate the ANR brand color pallet as much as possible. When shooting outdoors, make use of natural light and open space. Studio shoots require specific lighting. Use props to help emphasize a message/research; images tell our story. Think visual variety – shoot images in various orientations; landscape, portrait, angled – get creative. Shoot with intentional space for text (helpful for promotional use design/layout).
Specs, Alt text: Image alt text (alternative text) is used with HTML code to describe the appearance and function of an image on a web page. Alt text is central principle of web accessibility. Visually impaired persons using screen readers read alt text to better understand the image and it also provides context to search engines, helping to properly index an image. When writing alt text, briefly describe the image as specifically as possible. Popular screen readers cut off text at around 125 characters.
File sizes:
Print images; CMYK color format, TIFF, PSD or JPEG @ 300 dpi.
On-screen (Web)/digital: RGB color format, JPEG or PNG ranging from 72 to 300 dpi.
Model Release Forms: Ask the people in your photos and videos to sign these forms so that you may use them without restriction. If you do not have a signed release form, you must have approval from the subject every time you use the photo or video.
Fillable Release Form - English
Fillable Release Form - Spanish
UC ANR photographic style
Imagery is a visual journey - a storytelling that helps create a strong connection between UC ANR and the people we serve. Quality visuals depicting our people, research and/or places offer a sense of transparency and an invitation of discovery that stock photography cannot.
UC ANR branded photography focuses on making visually engaging connections between ANR’s work and the lives of Californians.
Videography
Videography is an effective storytelling method as well as a valuable tool in extension work. Strategic Communications offers video services, video resources and training to support academics in using videography in their work. We also provide branded video assets for videos.
Training in videography is a core service that Strategic Communications offers to academics, while video production is recharged at $75.07 per hour. This is the rate for capturing video, editing video and/or producing finished video products.
Types of video services offered:
Filming events that are taking place on or around campuses, or university research sites. This includes faculty and guest speakers, public outreach lectures, panels and symposia. These programs are usually taped with 1 or 2 cameras. Often the speakers use visual aids such as slides, PowerPoint or video and require modest editing before distribution. Usually shot and edited in the same month.
Panels, lectures, and interviews that are recorded in a studio or other controlled location and require little editing. Usually shot and edited in the same month.
Documentary programs incorporating interviews, visual materials, voice-over and music. These programs are complex, require more shooting, writing, and editing and take longer to produce--typically 1-3 months.
How-to videos teaching a specific technique or subject in 5 to 30 minutes.
Short, broadcast media-style videos depicting the impact of UC ANR research and programs. These projects take several weeks; timing depends on videographer workload.
Contact Senior Videographer Ethan Ireland or News and Information Outreach in Spanish (NOS) Program Manager Ricardo Vela to learn more about video services and resources.