Photo and Video Services

Videography Best Practices

• Use natural light whenever possible. Video recorded near windows or outdoors often look warmer, clearer and more inviting than video recorded under harsh fluorescent lighting. However, when recording outdoors, please avoid direct sunlight, look for areas of open shade to keep the light more flattering.
• Be mindful of sound. When recording interviews try to find a location that doesn’t have a lot of activity and a location that doesn’t echo. If the option is available, use a lavalier or alternative microphone on the subject.
• Frame people naturally. Capture faculty, staff, students and visitors in real moments of teaching, learning, collaboration, service or campus life. Interaction is always more interesting than people just looking at the camera, and it also tells the story of the event better.
• Take horizontal and vertical options. Horizontal videos often work best for web pages, while vertical videos may be useful for social media or mobile layouts.
• Be mindful of permissions. Before recording a video, make sure the individuals pictured have agreed to be photographed or that the image was taken in an appropriate public/event setting. Our students do not need to grant permission to use their image. However, visitors should always be asked, and underage students should not be pictured unless they have a signed release from their parents.
• Resolution. When possible record video at highest resolution at 24 or 30 frames per second.
• Aspect ratios. Think about the final destination of videos. The place where the video will be hosted will dictate what size the video will be.
• Graphics or subtitles. If including, make sure they aren’t too distracting and don’t get in the way of visuals. If you know you plan to incorporate graphics in post production, be sure to keep space for those graphics when recording video footage.

Recording Video on a Phone

• Lock the exposure and auto focus setting on your phone so the exposure doesn't change while you shoot.
• Choose the highest resolution setting when deciding on a setting for your phone.
• Avoid shooting in 60p, use 24p or 30p.
• Pair a Mic with the phone when possible to get good audio quality out of your phone.
• In a pinch you can use your phone as a microphone if placed close to the subject.
• Phones can be used for voiceover if the location is quiet enough.
• Turn off HLG in settings.
• Use “Most Compatible” or H264 codecs if available
• Given enough light, the phone camera can be just as good as a camera, for best quality prioritize lighting the scene with natural light that isn't too harsh.

Recording Video with a Camera

• Make sure an SD card is in your camera and formatted to maximize the amount of data on the card.
• Make sure you have at least one extra charged battery.
• When recording interviews, turn off auto focus so the auto focus doesn't accidentally track for the subject while they’re sitting.
• Try not to record people super close from high or low angles, which can be unflattering.
• Keep the aperture lower for shallow depth of field.
• Don’t forget to clean your lens from time to time, try not to touch the glass.
• No need to remove the lens from the camera body (if applicable), try to keep dust out of the camera.
• Set white balance when entering a new location, auto white balance can be tricky.
• Use the viewfinder on bright or sunny days.
• The camera can be used to shoot thumbnail photos as well as video.
• In Camera Audio is better than no audio, but avoid using the audio from in camera. Use an external microphone whenever possible.
• Wireless Microphones are recommended.

Photography Best Practices

When taking photos for University communications, websites or social media, please keep the following best practices in mind:

• Be mindful of permissions. Before using a photo, make sure the individuals pictured have agreed to be photographed or that the image was taken in an appropriate public/event setting. Our students do not need to grant permission to use their image. However, visitors should always be asked, and underage students should not be pictured unless they have a signed release from their parents.
• Use natural light whenever possible. Photos taken near windows or outdoors often look warmer, clearer and more inviting than photos taken under harsh fluorescent lighting. However, when photographing outdoors, please avoid direct sunlight, look for areas of open shade to keep the light more flattering.
• Keep the image clean and focused. Avoid cluttered backgrounds, distracting objects or anything that could take attention away from the subject. If your phone or camera has a portrait mode, or longer focal length lens, like 2x, use that to lessen the “wide-angle” look.
• Frame people naturally. Capture faculty, staff, students and visitors in real moments of teaching, learning, collaboration, service or campus life. Interaction is always more interesting than people just looking at the camera, and it also tells the story of the event better.
• Take horizontal and vertical options. Horizontal photos often work best for web pages, while vertical photos may be useful for social media or mobile layouts.
• Avoid heavy filters or excessive editing. Photos should feel authentic, polished and consistent with Montclair’s visual identity. Please do not use Ai on your headshot. 
• Make sure photos are clear and high-resolution. Blurry, dark, pixelated or low-quality images should not be used on official University pages.

It is recommended that you do not use any fully or partially AI-generated images. Photos used in University communications should reflect real people, places, programs and experiences connected to Montclair. Approved Photo Libraries