Photography

Images used for CU Boulder should reinforce the Be Boulder platform. Basic guidelines to follow and examples are shown below.

  • Bold imagery
  • Straightforward, in-your-face portraits
  • Active, energetic situations
  • Simple, easy-to-understand subjects
  • Realistic and believable
  • Human and emotional moments
  • Natural, contemporary lighting
Physics professor Stephen Pollock teaches in class. Photograph simply and make the subject stand out.
A student plays Frisbee on a fall day. Capture environment when it helps tell the story.
A family helps a new student on move-in day. Capture action when possible. Be mindful of branding or logos on shirts.
Engineering management class that has video interactivity. Watch for peak moments of facial expression or emotion while covering classes.
A student enjoys a spring day outdoors. CU Boulder logos are good to capture in photos.
Ralphie and her runners lead the team onto Folsom Field.
A student relaxes on a bench in the quad. A wide-angle lens provides more depth in images.
A CU Ambassador leads a tour through the quad. Shallow depth of field helps focus your attention on the subject and gives images a more sophisticated look that is very contemporary.
A journalism student works on a video. On sunny and contrasty days, it’s best to keep subjects with their backs to the sun. The rim of light on the subject is pleasing, and they are not squinting into the light.
A track student participates in the high jump. When possible, frame the flatirons in photos.
A student climbs a rock in Boulder Canyon. Be Boulder platform refrains from using odd angles unless it’s necessary, such as in this situation.
A student studies on Farrand Field. Telephoto lenses are good at compressing elements and making backgrounds go out of focus. Here also is the backlighting technique for more pleasing full-sun photos.
A student stands next to her research display. Use lines in the photo to create pleasing composition and use artificial light sparingly to mimic natural light.
Students enjoy ice cream after a visit to University Hill. Another example of putting the sun behind subjects to make the light on them look even and clean.
Unveiling historic documents at Old Main. Be conscious of all the elements and/or people in the images you are capturing.
Detail shots of historic photos and documents. Photos of details help as secondary storytelling elements.
A graduate displays her decorated cap before the processional into Folsom Field. Don’t hesitate to ask subjects to pose when needed.
Student studies under a tree in the quad. Beautiful backlighting in this image.
Student and faculty work together in a chemistry lab. Get close to allow the audience to feel as if they are in the situation you are photographing.
David Shneer poses with Holocaust documents. Use natural lighting and depth with wide-angle lenses to emphasize objects in the foreground.
Environmental portrait of a student. A telephoto lens helps clean the background and isolate the subject.
Faculty researcher in the lab. Keep clutter to a minimum to communicate the image more clearly.
A faculty member rides his bike off campus. Use action for lifestyle photos.
Aerospace lab from above. Use higher angles when labs necessitate it.
A faculty member and student work together in a mountain field conducting research. Telephoto lenses in the field help compress the background to simplify a scene and also keep you out of the way of researchers.
A student portrait with the Ralphie statue. Follow the rule of thirds to keep subjects off-center.
Snorting buffalo in a field. It's always best to photograph buffalo with a telephoto lens.
Portrait of Shelly Miller, CU Boulder mechanical engineering professor. Natural light from a window used here.
A portrait of CU Boulder alumnus Norm Shearer at his Denver offices. Use the environment as a compositional element in environmental portraits.
Student playing tennis
Alumni portrait. Use artificial light when necessary.
Close-up of stained-glass window in Macky Auditorium. Details and close-ups can help tell a broader story.
Student portrait at the UMC. A telephoto lens is used to isolate the subject from the background.
Student sorting at the Recycling Center. Rule of thirds employed to create a clean and easily read image.
Students in passing period in the quad. Perspective and depth of field create diverging lines that add to a pleasing composition.
Chip the mascot with students during Family Weekend. Another use of backlighting to create a pleasing halo effect on subjects. A telephoto lens puts the background out of focus while still allowing the color on the foliage to add to the image.
A CU-nit fan at a basketball game. Look for the unusual for spirit at athletic events.
CU Boulder art professor Melanie Yazzie is photographed in front of one of her prints. Use spontaneity and interactions with your subject to create engaging portraits.

Photography Dont's

Image styles not permitted. These are general guidelines, as there will always be exceptions to the rule. These photos do not feel natural and these styles should be avoided. A general rule is that we want photos that match what can be seen with the eye.

Low angle image of a barrista

Don’t use unnecessary photography tools.
Extreme angles and fisheye lenses

Comment: Look how big that guy's arm is! Either that or an ant took the photo!

Exaggerated image of a truck with looming storm clouds

Don’t use unnecessary photography tools.
HDR

Comment: Run for cover; it's a hurricane!

Ballet dancer with motion blur

Don’t use unnecessary photography tools.
Long exposure

Comment: I've never seen anybody move that fast! Or are they twins?

Student amid stacks of books under blue lights

Don’t use unnecessary photography tools.
Color gels

Comment: Wow! She brings her own stage lights to study in the library!

Woman holding video game controller

Don’t use unnecessary photography tools.
Props

Comment: OK, hold up the obvious prop a little higher so this definitely feels staged!

Portrait of a woman under violet lights

Don’t use unnecessary photography tools.
Inconsistent lighting and unnatural poses

Comment: Oh, yes, that pose looks natural! Most people stand that way. Is it just me or is your face turning purple?