Unit 2
While shooting guide photos, there are some important things to keep in mind:
Shoot in first-person perspective. By shooting images from your point of view, they will match what readers will see while keeping the orientation consistent throughout your guides.
Use your hands and tools in each shot to demonstrate action. Action shots should visually communicate what is being accomplished in each step. You can include up to three photos per step to create a "stop-motion" or "flip-book" effect.
Don’t use the metal spudger unless absolutely necessary. The nylon spudger and iFixit opening tools are ESD-safe alternatives that won’t damage the device and are safe to use with batteries, glass, and motherboards.
Pay attention to continuity. Always consider how your photos will flow from one photo to the next. As you shoot, be sure to ask yourself, “Will this photo transition well from the previous one?”
Adjust your camera settings to meet the following requirements:
Formats: JPEG, JPG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, TIF
Minimum file size: 800px by 600px
Maximum file size: 40MBKeep your pictures as large as possible in terms of resolution. If a picture is 4000 x 3000 pixels in size, so be it!
Position your camera in landscape orientation, and be sure to photograph the device against a solid white background that is well-lit.
Taking instructional photos is a bit different from the kind of everyday photos you’re used to, so follow the How to Take Awesome Photos guide below to complete this unit.
A word to the wise: reading through the guide below will save you hours of time fighting with lighting, fiddling with camera settings, and making other rookie mistakes—so don't skip it!