Leslie Garland Picture Library

Photographer Guidelines
The following is intended as a general guide for photographers to the type of photographs that our clients and hence we, are looking for, how to prepare a submission and how we work with our photographers.
Subjects & Markets At present the library has the following specialisation’s:- Czech Republic, Eastern Germany and Berlin, Ireland, Northern England, Scandinavia, Scotland and Wales, and Engineering & Industry, Geography & Geology, Science & Technology, though new sections are always being added.
Within these broad groupings are a huge range of subjects required for use in:- advertising, books, brochures, calendars, CD and video covers, magazines, television, etc. The subjects we require therefore include:- scenics of a rural, urban and industrial nature; architecture; heritage and historical matter; animals and plants; ecological and environmental issues; all forms of transport; people at work and leisure, lifestyles and hobbies; industrial processes and technology; location and studio shots illustrating the scientific and engineering concepts and principles; still life studies, etc.
Unfortunately there is the false idea abroad that anyone can go out and take and sell pictures. Yes, anyone can take a picture, the camera manufactures and film producers have ensured this! But this doesn’t guarantee that the resulting pictures are any good, nor that they will sell. Just as there is a big difference between taking a picture and taking a good picture, so there is also a difference between taking a good picture and taking a good picture that will sell. So, before starting to shoot, photographers are strongly advised to study how pictures are used commercially and hence what the various markets require. Pictures which sell are always chosen for a reason, and so if a shot is to be used, the essence of the picture must illustrate the reason for which it is required and this is best achieved by thinking about this (along with other possibilities) at the time of taking the picture.
Start and keep a file of magazine articles and newspaper clippings on subjects which interest or appeal to you. Read up a guidebook on any area you are proposing to visit and note the sites/sights of the area, curios, history, etc. If your picture is taken for a reason e.g./ it is an atmospheric view of the village where Joe Bloggs the famous politician was born, or a moody picture of the gravestone of, and church and churchyard in which Stephen Daub the painter is buried, or an excellent example of 10th century Anglo-Saxon art, etc., it is far more likely to be required and reward you with a cheque. Consequently, I cannot overstate the need to do a bit of research before going out and about with the camera.
Photograph as many different subjects and types of subject as possible so as to give the library the greatest chance of presenting your work - it is stating the obvious to say that a photographer who only supplies pictures of one subject can only stand the chance of a sale when that one subject is requested.
When shooting both location and still life subjects make conscious decisions about whether or not to include people. As a general rule, pictures with people in them sell better than those without. Make sure that they “look the part” i.e./ are appropriately dressed, doing something relevant and are in the right place. People add scale to the picture, whether it be a scenic view or a shot of an engineer fixing a computer; the figure gives dimension to the subject matter. They also humanise it; a picture of a school child looking at something in a test tube is far more appealing than a shot of just some inanimate stuff in a test tube. However, don’t forget that we do need to see what the stuff is! Try and keep pictures simple and uncluttered and ensure that the essence of what the picture is about is as bold and clear as possible, as it is this which is going to sell it and if this is not obvious at first glance, the picture is a nonstarter.

Perhaps needless to say, try and make your images generic and dateless - you want them to keep earning for as long as possible - so keep an eye out for elements that might date your picture.

Have you had a look at the “Subject Listing” page?

Leslie Garland Picture Library
High Pasture, Yarrow,, Falstone, Hexham,, Northumberland, NE48 1BG
Tel: 01434-240324, Fax: 01434-240324
pictures@lesliegarland.co.uk
Webmaster: Leslie Garland