How to: Capture the Best Images for the Web

1. Plan for the photos that you need
Pointing and shooting will be a thing of the past. When you have a goal in mind, in this case, show-casing wonderful images of your product, services or hobby, you need to plan on how the images will be taken. Below we outline some factors you should take into consideration:

High quality footage
The most important step is ensuring the images and videos you document are of high quality, making them much more suitable for website display. Images and videos that are blurry or pixelated will compromise your website’s quality, look and feel. One of the best ways to ensure your images are high-quality is to ensure the image size is set to the highest possible setting.

Feature a hero image
Think of an image that will be the ‘hero’ of your website. The hero image is usually the first and standout image on your website, it’s what your visitors see when they first land on your site. The hero image should impress yet also reflect what your brand is about. If you’re selling home-made jewellery, perhaps your hero image is one of your best-sellers.

Consistency is key
Ensure your images stay on brand and reflect your brand’s purpose, this can be achieved by having a consistent look and feel with similar brightness or darkness levels across images. The same images should also be used across all platforms whether it’s the website, flyer, social media pages or within an app.

Use real people
Where possible, avoid using stock images, instead use images of real people that’s associated with your brand purpose. By using real and emotional images, you’ll more likely to achieve the emotional pull that you need to garner a following or create sales conversions.

2. Edit & test your images
Test on multiple platforms
By simply testing your site on varying devices such as a desktop computer, tablet and mobile phone, you’ll know just how the images will appear. By running these comparisons, you’ll know if your hero image looks fine on tablet but loads slower and cuts off on mobile. From here you can edit and adjust your images accordingly.

Contrast with text
The images for your website should already showcase what your brand or business is about. To help you achieve your brands’ goals, the images, especially the hero image, should allow for a call to action next to it. For example, if you’re selling home-made donuts, your hero image could be a box of 6 donuts that may provoke a call to action of “order now” or “take home yours today”.

3. Get snap happy with a professional camera

A camera is the best tool in your toolbox when it comes to photography. Even if you’re still new to photography or you know the technology and features inside out, begin with a professional-grade camera. A DLSR or Mirrorless camera boasts all the latest technologies and features such as wireless sharing to help you get started.

To help you find the best camera for your needs, we’ve compiled some of our latest and most popular models:

Fujifilm X-T200
Do you want to capture clear photographs but also need to have the option to record videos and
stretch your creativity? Fujifilm’s X-T200 Digital Mirrorless Camera lets you do just that! In a lightweight body with a retro design, this camera is equally reliable as it is stylish. This camera boasts a large 24.2 megapixels sensor and can record videos in both Full HD and 4K Ultra HD resolution. With face and eye detection autofocus, this camera’s a natural when photographing human subjects. The 3.5” vari-angle LCD touchscreen is perfect for taking angled shots and can even be flipped to capture selfies. Unleash the artist within and experiment with the 11 digital film simulations and 20 advanced filters.

• Ideal for capturing photographs, recording videos and stretching your creativity
• Large 24.2 megapixels sensor and records in Full HD and 4K Ultra HD
• Great for photographing human subjects with face and eye detection autofocus
• View and take angled shots easily with the 3.5” vari-angle LCD touchscreen
• Experiment with 11 digital film simulations and 20 advanced filters
• Lightweight body with retro design

Above: pictured with XC 15-45mm Lens kit

Nikon D780
Perfect for capturing those on the move, the Nikon D780 DSLR camera offers both versatility with agility thanks to its 24.5 megapixels sensor with 51-point autofocus system. Whether your subject is still or they’re on the move, this Nikon camera can perfectly and clearly capture it thanks to the EXPEED 6 image processor. Vibration Reduction technology and the Sports mode is ideal for documenting racing cars, athletes and sporting teams. Whatever the occasion, capture it with moving pictures with the 4K Ultra HD video recording and use the 20 Creative Picture Controls which artistically enhance your images and videos.

• Perfect for capturing those on the move
• Agility at its best with 24.5 megapixels sensor and 51-point autofocus system
• Clear processing with the EXPEED 6 image processor & Vibration Reduction technology
• Sports mode is ideal for documenting racing cars, athletes & sporting teams
• 4K Ultra HD video recording
• 20 Creative Picture Controls enhances images and videos

Above: pictured with the 24-120mm f/4 lens kit.

Canon EOS-1D X Mark III
Designed for the keen photographer, the Canon 1DX Mark III DSLR camera is the trusty workhorse you need if you’re spending hours documenting your subjects. It comes equipped with a 20.1 megapixels full frame sensor with an image processor that features fast processing speeds and superior image production. When you need to stay under wraps during candid moments like weddings and graduations, the “Live View” mode is the best solution. “Live View” continuously shoots up to 20 frames per second with AutoFocus tracking without any shutter sound, letting you shoot like a pro! The ISO speed of 100-102,400 (expanded) offers high sensitivity to light, making this camera ideal for shooting even in low-light conditions.

• Trusty workhorse for keen photographers
• Features 20.1 megapixels full frame sensor
• DiG!C X image processor has fast processing speeds and superior image production
• “Live View” mode continuously shoots up to 20 frames per second with AutoFocus tracking without shutter sound
• ISO speed of 100-102,400 (expanded) perfect for shooting in low-light conditions

Olympus Mirrorless Camera
An entry-level model, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II Camera is ideal for new photographers, providing all the features you need to get on with your passion. Capture detailed images with the 16.1 megapixels sensor and easily focus on your subject of choice using the Touch AutoFocus Shutter on the 3” tilting monitor. Ensure your shots are stable and blur-free with the advanced 5-axis image stabilisation. Keen to record videos? You can record videos in Full HD or choose to record a time lapse movie in 4K Ultra HD resolution. Once you’re happy with your shots, simply connect the camera to your smartphone via Wi-Fi for easy file sharing.

• Ideal for beginners
• 16.1 megapixels sensor with Touch AutoFocus Shutter
• 3” tilting monitor
• Advanced 5-axis image stabilisation
• Record in Full HD or shoot a time lapse movie in 4K Ultra HD
• Easy Wi-Fi connection to smartphone

Still uncertain on which camera is best for your needs?

Click here to view our Camera Buying GuideWhatever your passion or product and however you use your website, you’re now better equipped to make the best decisions when it comes to your images. From breathtaking hero images to consistent brightness levels and great contrast with text, impress your website visitors today!