National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP)Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

Kabul, Afghanistan

Advice for Field Photos

By Jayne CravensCommunications & Reporting Advisor

August 12, 2007

National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP)Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

Kabul, Afghanistan

Firstly: THANK YOU for sharing your photos

already!

National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP)Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

Kabul, Afghanistan

Every Picture Tells A Story

National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP)Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

Kabul, Afghanistan

What Does This Photo Say?

National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP)Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

Kabul, Afghanistan

What Does This Photo Say?

National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP)Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

Kabul, Afghanistan

What Does This Photo Say?

National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP)Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

Kabul, Afghanistan

What Does This Photo Say?

National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP)Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

Kabul, Afghanistan

What Does This Photo Say?

National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP)Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

Kabul, Afghanistan

What Does This Photo Say

National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP)Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

Kabul, Afghanistan

The best photos don’t completely rely on text to explain them

in order for you to “hear” at least part

of the overall story.

National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP)Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

Kabul, Afghanistan

NABDP needs photos for many different reasons,

to serve many different audiences

National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP)Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

Kabul, Afghanistan

“I urgently need photos…”• “…of children using a water pump”• “…of men working”• “…of that workshop in Herat last year” • “…of NABDP staff in action• “…of the Belgians on a field visit”• “…of women in discussion”• “…with lots of color”• “…of smiling faces”• “…of the Japanese donors signing our latest

agreement”

National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP)Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

Kabul, Afghanistan

Who Are Photos For?• Donors• Media/Press• Citizens of Afghanistan• Government• Internal MRRD / NABDP /

UNDP Staff• Partner Organizations• Other Organizations• International General Public

• Others?

National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP)Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

Kabul, Afghanistan

Why Do They Want Photos?

• Donors • To show progress on projects they are funding

• “Proof” of work

• To put images with the text they read in reports

• Other reasons?

National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP)Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

Kabul, Afghanistan

Why Do They Want Photos?

• Media / Press

• Government

• To use in their publications

• To use in reports, publications, web site, etc.

• To demonstrate progress/action

National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP)Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

Kabul, Afghanistan

Tips for Field Trip Photos1. Be respectful; ask for permission; notify the group that photos will be taken and

how they will be used.

2. Take LOTS of photos. When in doubt (is this a good photo?), take the photo. Take several photos of the same scene, from the same angle and different angles.

3. Outside shots are best (because of light), but take pictures away from the sun, if possible.

4. When inside, get close to the subject, and try to aim away (instead of into) light sources.

5. Get FACES and ACTION when possible.

6. Get C O L O R when possible.

7. Show local people talking, teaching, learning, working, etc.

8. As much as local culture and circumstances allow, get photos of women.

9. It’s okay to arrange people for a photo (e.g. asking people to stand in a certain place).

10. Remember that photos will serve many needs (donors, government, internal use, etc.).

National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP)Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

Kabul, Afghanistan

Special Consideration for Indoor Workshops/Indoor Ceremonies

• Get CLOSE to the main subject(s), and try to aim away (instead of into) light sources.

• Get FACES, with EXPRESSION if possible.

• Ask signers of an agreement to pose together (stand close together with the agreement, have them shake hands and face the camera, etc.) after signing for a photos.

National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP)Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

Kabul, Afghanistan

Don’t wait for the perfect shot!Take lots of photos, and the “right” photo

will show up when you review the pictures later.

National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP)Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

Kabul, Afghanistan

Photo Advice in Action

Bored? Not participating? Not included?No expression.

Participating. Thoughtful. Included.

National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP)Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

Kabul, Afghanistan

Photo Advice in ActionWho?Too dark. No faces

Participating. Thoughtful. Included.

Better photo even though it is out-of-focus

National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP)Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

Kabul, Afghanistan

Labeling Is Key• Make sure your camera’s date is set correctly (so we

know when the photo was taken; the date does not have to appear on the photo, however)

• When you download photos onto your computer, put them in a folder with a very descriptive name (location and project name are key).

• Adding a narrative in a MS Word document and putting it in your photo folder is GREATLY appreciated (for instance, noting why a photo is important if it won’t be obvious when others view the photo)

• If there are donors/VIPs, etc. in the photo, please provide proper IDs

National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP)Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

Kabul, Afghanistan

Please Share!

• Please share field and event photos with communications unit promptly!

• Videos are welcomed too! (same rules apply: good light, faces, etc.)

• We have a 300+ file of the very best photos and can burn these onto a CD for you!

• Many of the best NABDP photos also available at www.flickr.com/photos/nabdp/

National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP)Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

Kabul, Afghanistan

Most Important Things

to Keep in Mind:

(1) Take lots of photos&(2) Share them with communications unit (Jayne, Gunda or Fariba) via a memory stick (never via email!)

THANK YOUhttp://www.mrrd.gov.af/nabdp/