CNN.com - I-Report Toolkit

SECOND LIFE I-REPORT TOOLKIT
Everything you need to get started telling the stories of the Second Life virtual world

PHOTOS: Tell stories with pictures
Want to compose your pictures like a pro? Our CNN photo experts say these are the top tips to remember when you are out in the field.

Use the rule of thirds
When taking a picture, it's not surprising that your first instinct may be to place the subject smack dab in the center of the frame. But for a more compelling composition, imagine the scene that you're going to photograph with imaginary lines dissecting the frame into three sections, horizontally and vertically. Rather than always placing the subject in the center of the frame, put it in one-third of the frame - just a bit off-center. This placement gives the subject room to "move" in or out of the frame; it also adds pizzazz to the overall photograph, showing the viewer the environment the subject is in.

Take as many photos as you can
It's always better to have more material than you think you need. And who knows, the photographs you take on a whim may turn out better than your planned shots.

Check the background
Try to avoid distracting backgrounds. Plain backgrounds often work best. And don't forget to make sure your subject doesn't have anything sticking out of his or her head, like a tree or a utility pole. (It happens more than you think.)

Frame your elements
Try using elements from the foreground of a scene, like tree branches, to create a frame within the edges of your photograph. The use of framing draws the viewer to the main subject and helps to add depth and interest.

Map out the story
Think ahead about what shots you'll need. You can even write out a script if you are shooting a narrative. And remember to vary your shots. It takes different angles to tell a complete story.

Get close
The best shots are often the most simple, get in close to your subject to capture emotion and intimacy. So, no matter what story you are telling, always be sure to get plenty of close-ups.

Other resources

• Berkeley's multimedia and audio guide
• CNN.com photography tips (for travel)
• Berkeley's multimedia guide to photography and Photoshop
• CNet's guide to camera phone services
• Photography columns from the New York Institute of Photography
• Flickr's Citizenjournalism photo pool

VIDEO: Shoot moving stories
Use these tips from CNN video producers and editors that will help you do everything from frame your shot to get what youÕll need for the editing room.

Make sure to have plenty of material to work with
When taking video, the general rule is the more material, the better. You need to make sure to have lots of B-roll, or alternate material, in order to add dimension and secondary footage to a story. B-roll helps with cutaways and gives a much more fluid look to a package.

Use the rule of thirds
The rule of thirds, or "golden cut," is a compositional rule to help frame your shots in a more natural and engaging method. Since your TV monitor is a rectangle, you should visually divide it into horizontal thirds, and line subjects up a little bit off center. If your subject is directly in the middle of a shot, it will be wooden and stiff. But if you use the rule of thirds, you anticipate your subject's movement and allow for some background information to be in the frame.

Hold your shot
If you hold your shot for at least seven seconds, even if it won't need to be that long, you ensure that you get plenty of usable material.

Even though it's video, don't forget the sound!
If you don't have sound with your video, your viewers are missing a huge part of the story. The more natural, or background, sound you can tape, the better. Try pointing your camera at the ground for a few minutes to absorb some natural sound at the event you're covering, whether it's a concert or a protest. You can use that as a bed for background sound later on when you're editing.

Avoid pans, zooms and dissolves
You may feel like getting crazy with some of your shots, but every video expert we talked to said video clips are simply better when they use static shots. If you must use a pan, it should be tight and quick. An overuse of dissolves tells viewers that there just wasn't enough material to make the story work. Static shots make a video look cleaner and more professional.

Other resources

• The Online Journalism Review's guide to shooting better online video
• Berkeley's School of Journalism video and multimedia guide
• CNET's tips to beating bad video
• Ripple Training's video editing tutorials

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