Have you noticed that few photos adorn the pages of the Chapter Networker? This is partly due to the high demand for space, but it's also because Chapter Services doesn't receive much in the way of photos for Networker use. Black-&-white prints are preferred, because we run a basically black-&-white newsletter, but we can also work with color prints and slides. What makes a good, printable and communicative image? Here are a few tips:

• get clear, crisp focus (unless wanting blurry to convey certain effect);
• go after images of people whose facial expressions body language convey emotions or attitudes compatible with the text/articles they may accompany (i.e., photograph smiling people for communicating public enjoyment of events, or stimulated-looking people for conveying depth of interest in something, etc.);
• general rule of thumb is to get shots of people from the FRONT; try closing in on your subject(s) so he/she/it/they fill the frame.
• compose shots to eliminate distracting elements (frame out trash in foreground, and extraneous visuals that aren't compatible with or pertinent to the main message);
• balance the exposures (not over/under-exposed);
• vary your subject matter and angle of composition -- shoot from a variety of angles, try focusing on different people or objects that could represent your subject matter; "work" your subject visually, until you frame the shot that says what you want to say about the person, object, or activity;
• pre-plan some shots; think ahead of time about press releases, or the Networker or chapter publications that might print the images, and what messages you want to publicize through your visuals.

Naturally, you'll want to see your great new shots of chapter activities published -- Networker awaits!