Multi Donor Trust Fund For Aceh and North Sumatra

Don't hesitate to enter MDF's photo competition out of concern that your photos may not be good enough. It is an amateur photography event intended for those who may take only a few shots while conducting other business. The most important equipment you need is a good eye for capturing what makes MDF's work unique.

Here are a few things that you can do to improve the quality of your point-and-shoot photography and increase your chances of winning a prize in our contest.

We particularly also welcome sequences of related pictures - do not be afraid to take multiple shots of your subject from different angles and in different lighting conditions!

Content

How you use photos to tell MDF's story is up to you. But if you're thinking about entering photos with any of the following content, there are a few points to keep in mind.

Children. Do the children you show have a connection to MDF's community development activities? We're less likely to use other photos of children, especially if they give any hint of child labor.
Local animals and plants. Do the species or habitats you've photographed help tell the story of MDF's specific environmental or livelihood activities?
Landscapes. Do your photos capture what's distinctive about the local scene of the area where we work? Ideally they should also have a connection to MDF's work.
WBG/MDF managers and staff. Do photos show WBG/MDF staff engaging directly with beneficiaries or local people? That tells a better story than a signing ceremony or someone giving a speech.
Meetings and conferences. Indoor, fluorescent-lit settings and large crowds can look similar almost anywhere. Do your photos capture individual faces and show people interacting?

Technique

1.  Don’t underestimate yourself – Traveling with lightweight, portable equipment will allow you to get close to your subject or take a shot at a moment’s notice. You may not realize it, but you are probably working with a good quality lens and you can find opportunities to combine natural light with your built-in flash.

2.   Consider safety first – Do not enter photos of anyone engaged in unsafe activities, and don’t endanger your subjects! Basic personal safety equipment (e.g., hard hat, gloves, or other gear appropriate to the work) is expected in all photos for this contest. Also, don’t turn a person’s attention away from heavy machinery to smile for the camera. Instead try to place yourself safely at an angle where you can capture the subject’s expression. Under safe conditions, asking a person to pose or smile is fine. But some of the best photographs are taken when the subject is going about his or her business, unaware of a photographer’s presence. Your challenge is to capture the essence of a situation and personal expression even without a pose.

3.    Use light wisely – Images are captured on film because they are exposed to light. You won’t adequately capture a subject located in shade and surrounded by bright sunlight. Also, don’t shoot into a bright light (like the sun). Bright midday sun at your back is a good light source. But keep in mind that so much light will provide a harshness that will affect the mood of your photograph. Warm tones from early morning and late evening sun provide a different mood. Frequently this is the best outdoor lighting to work with. If possible, turn more lights on if you are shooting in a dimly lit room. Be aware of your light source and whether your subject is getting the best of it.

4.    Turn off autoflash – The flash can wash out your subject and eliminate your background, especially in dimly lit rooms. Try to move your subjects into the light instead of using a flash. (Take two photos, one with the flash and one without, if you aren’t confident this will work.) Also, use higher speed film indoors and at night to allow greater flexibility with your flash (consider using ISO 400 or ISO 800 film with point-and-shoot cameras). If you do turn off your flash in dim light, your shutter will likely stay open longer, risking a blurry photograph (because your camera or the subjects will move). So place your camera in a steady location (or use a tripod) and ask your subjects to stay still for up to one full second.

5.   Turn on the manual flash – When you can’t move your subject into the light, try to take advantage of your flash. If the area surrounding your subject is bright, you might be able to equalize the light with your flash. To ensure the flash works in this situation, you will need to move your setting from “auto” to “flash on.” And to achieve the effect you are seeking you have to shoot at close range.

6.   Focus – Your subject need not be at the center, but the subject must be the sharpest point of focus. Almost all point-and-shoot cameras allow you to center your focal point and then change the composition. Place your subject at the center, press the shutter button half way down, and then hold the button there until you are ready to shoot. The original center point will remain in focus even if you change its placement in your viewfinder before pressing the button the whole way down. Frequently the best location for the person’s head is close to the top of the shot rather than the center.

7.   Consider composition – After you have the technical aspects (light, focus) of the photo in place, consider the relation of your subject to its surroundings. Your photo should capture the essence of where you are as well as its physical appearance. The best photos allow the viewer to feel what you felt when you took the photograph. So think about what part of the surroundings best enhance the shot or tell more about the situation. When you have decided on that, then you can place the subject without making it appear marginal.

8.   Experiment – It is normal for experienced photographers to take several shots of the same subject. You only need capture one good image to enter it into the contest. Judges won’t be aware of the five you throw away. If you see a compelling subject and have the time to get more than one photo, do it. If you are not sure how your camera will capture the light, employ some of the tips given above and then take a final shot on fully automatic settings.

9.   Evaluate – Take a look at professional photos and consider how they differ from your own. For example, National Geographic has excellent photography from all over the world. Compare some of those photos (or other published work) to your own: consider the light, focus, and composition. You will not be able to apply all the techniques you notice with a point-and-shoot camera, but some you will. After reviewing a professional photo critically, try to apply one strength you notice to your photography.

10.   Capture MDF – There are many excellent shots of development and humanitarian aid activities in the publications of the World Bank and other international institutions. This contest, however, is trying to portray the unique activities and impact relating to MDF projects. So think mainly about MDF’s role and how to best capture that. When choosing subjects, consider MDF’s mission statement and unique aspects of our activities.