Types

Pictures have a vital role to play in very many of the publications we produce. A picture can get a message across very quickly and effectively, so it is important that it says what you need it to.

There are a number of elements that make up a good picture which you will need to consider when making your choice. The first is what the picture is of. Is it going to be of buildings or of people or a mix of the two? What buildings will you show and who will the people be?

Another important factor is the 'mood' of the picture. This can be influenced by many things, for example, do the buildings look modern or historic, welcoming or remote? Is the sky blue or cloudy? What are the people wearing? Is it formal wear or casual? And how do they look? Busy, relaxed, happy, worried?

Your choice should depend on what impression you are trying to achieve with your publication and what message you are trying to get across.

Typically, University publications are aiming to inspire, to encourage people to aspire to coming to Oxford. The photography therefore needs to be chosen to get across that message. They should convey a positive impression and the people in them should look active and as if they are having a positive experience.

We also use a great deal of what we call 'location photography' showing University buildings and those of the City of Oxford. This might include college buildings, lecture halls, and study rooms, our museums and libraries and examples of Oxford's outstanding architecture. We will also feature activities related to University courses such as field trips, sport and other leisure pursuits, and also objects that have a University connection such as artefacts and book covers etc. Similarly we might include photographic illustrations and diagrams, for example in the field of science, or use stills from videos and computer generated imagery.