When planning and doing any photography for images for the book, it is important to make sure that the images will print cleanly and clearly. There is little value in trying to print images that haven’t been shot very well and therefore don’t really show what the reader needs to see.
Resolution and DPI
Please see our guide to images.
Background
Please take the photographs against a plain white (or slightly off-white) background if at all possible, or a plain background of any other colour if white or off-white is not possible.
Please do not take photographs against a “busy” background such as trees, buildings, or other people.
This is important, because the more complicated and detailed the background, the more difficult it will be for the photos to show the important details when printed in small sizes in a book, especially if printed in black and white.
The best photographs are taken against a simple, plain, white (or slightly off-white) background such as a wall or a large draped sheet.
Lighting
In most cases, please make sure that the lighting is all behind the camera, pointed at the subject of the photograph. If there is unavoidable light coming from the sides, or above, or from behind, then please do what you can to minimise it or to work with it so that it does not cast awkward shadows or otherwise cause difficulties with visibility within the image.
If you are looking to achieve a particular artistic result with the photo, then by all means use back-lighting or whatever other tricks or techniques you want to use.
Presumably if you are trying to achieve a particular artistic result then you have a sense of what you need to do to achieve it! The advice for the majority of cases is to ensure that the majority of images are clean, clear, and well-lit so that the reader can perceive easily what the photo is trying to show.
Clothing
If the photograph is to show one or more people demonstrating something, please make sure that they are both dressed cleanly and smartly, with a modern attire where possible.
Two fencers demonstrating sword and buckler in monastic habits or demonstrating longsword in 15th century clothing might look thematic, but the clothing will make it harder for readers to see what is actually happening in the image. Modern clothing such as t-shirt, fencing or HEMA breeches, and long socks will look clean and modern and professional, and will also make it easier for the reader to see what is happening in the photo.
It is also our organisation’s preferred style to showcase people in tidy, modern clothing rather than emulating historical clothes with varying degrees of accuracy or romantic aspirations.
Editing
Photos can be submitted with or without editing.
If they are edited, then please make sure that they are edited to be clear and easily visible when printed in small sizes on paper, not for any digital or particularly artistic purposes.
If you need a photo to achieve a particular artistic result then please do edit accordingly, but do ensure that it will still print well in a book.
Copyright
The photographer will be credited with taking the photos used in the book. Please make sure that you have it in writing (and send it to us) that the photographer gives permission for their work to be used in the publication of this project.