Bloom photography
•
•
•
Photography tips
What to photograph
Editing and using images
Photography tips
Technical tips
•
•
Set your camera to the highest quality setting
Clean the lens with a soft lens cloth
•
Make sure the subject(s) are in focus (if necessary ask
them to hold their pose so there is no motion blur)
To avoid camera shake hold the camera firmly with both
hands and elbows braced in or rest it on a solid surface
Don’t use the zoom – move closer to the subject instead
On bright sunny days use flash to fill in shadows on
people’s faces.
Review images on your screen after you’ve taken them
•
•
•
•
Composition tips
• Try using the rule of thirds to create more interesting images.
 The rule of thirds states than an image is most pleasing when its
subjects or regions are composed along imaginary lines which divide
the image into thirds — both vertically and horizontally.
• Ask people to move out of the frame or move position to make it look
less busy. This will make a stronger image and help tell the story.
• Look out for distracting backgrounds or protruding elements from
people’s heads.
•
Try shooting from in close and from different angles e.g. low down or
above. This can make for more dynamic, interesting shots.
What to photograph?
1. People actively engaged in a gardening activity showing the context of
the surrounding environment. This helps tell the story of the work that
your group are doing in the local community.
2. Close-up shots showing people actively engaged in an activity. Aim for
natural, relaxed, real looking shots that don’t look posed. Shots of
people doing something while looking at the camera are good too.
3. Group shots – to communicate the message of community. Make sure
you can see everyone’s faces.
Storing and using images
Editing & renaming
1. Download the images to your PC and put them in a folder named
after the event/location. For example:
• ‘Mountview Park, Mole in Bloom’
2. Review the images and select the best shots, deleting those that are
out of focus, underexposed or poorly composed.
3. Please name the images with a caption describing the activity, the
location and the names of any individuals pictured, plus the photo
credit. For example:
• Mole in Bloom volunteers Sarah and Jenny working at the
perennial beds at Mountview Park. Credit, R. Bentley.jpg
File sizes / printing
For social media, web use: minimum 640 x 480 pixels
PowerPoint: 1024 x 768 pixels
Print: 300 pixels per inch for professional printing. Therefore the number
of pixels required depends on how large the image needs to be
reproduced.
• A4 (8.27 × 11.69 inches) the image needs to be 3508 x 2480 pixels
• A5 (8.27 x 5.83 inches) the image needs to be 2480 x 1748 pixels
• A6 (5.83 x 4.13 inches) the image needs to be 1748 x 1240 pixels
To check the number of pixels in the image look next to dimensions in
the image toolbar.
Permissions
• Please be aware that you must have secured permission from the
photographer and those pictured in the image (or parents where the
subject is under 18) to share the picture with the RHS for the
purposes of promoting the Britain in Bloom campaign, before sending
it to the RHS. This includes:
 At the awards presentation - on the AV presentation while your group
collects your award.
 On the RHS website and social media accounts to promote Britain in
Bloom.
 In RHS publications - such as Grass Roots, The Garden, the Annual
Review, RHS presentations and publicity materials about Britain in
Bloom.
 In the media - Images of participating Britain in Bloom communities
are often requested to illustrate the campaign overall or for individual
case studies.
Thank you!