Volunteer Photographer Program

Volunteer Form

      • Required for Official Photographer designation
      • Required for usage of photo, video, audio, and written submissions

Public Domain

      • Public domain products “…is not protected by intellectual property laws (copyright, trademark, or patent laws)—which means it’s free for you to use without permission.” – See more at: http://fairuse.stanford.edu/ overview/public-domain/#sthash.3KuH2I3m.dpuf
      • All work completed by the Federal Government rest in public domain.
      • As an official photographer, the photos, videos, and audio recordings plus written documents submitted to Land Between The Lakes becomes property of the U.S. Federal Government.
      • Volunteer official photographers are advised NOT to submit work they wish to hold ownership under copyright and fair use laws.
      • Only works submitted by official volunteer photographers to USDA Forest Service Land Between The Lakes, Friends of Land Between The Lakes and its partners will fall under public domain status.
      • In addition to the Stanford University site above, more information on copyright and fair use laws can be found at http://www.llrx.com/ features/bloggersbeware.htm and http://www.teachingcopyright.org/ handout/public-domain-faq

Model Release Form

      • Required for youth under 18 years of age
      • Desired for formal photo shoots
      • One per family
      • Stage photo of family, take digital photo of release immediately after

Basic Photo Tips

From “101 Memos for Reporters” by Ed Arnold with photo tips by Phillip C. Russell

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/12/ arts/12arnold.html?ref=obituaries&_r=0

These tips come from the book that was suggested by Jan Bush a former FS Communications Department Manager at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.  She used it for 20 years as a guide.

      1. Look at entire photo to ensure nothing is growing out of head, trash in background, etc.
      2. Determine if your shot is vertical or horizontal and adjust accordingly.
      3. Keep your background clean and uncluttered so viewers can focus on your subject.
      4. When wanting a building or scene in the background of a person shot, back up and prep the background shot, then have the person walk towards you until they occupy about 1/3rd of your photo.
      5. Make sure the “movement” of your subjects go into your photo instead of “walking” out of the photo. In turn, make sure you place visuals in your document so they move into your document also. This draw your viewers’ eyes into your document or webpage.
      6. Follow the rule of thirds by placing your “principle point of interest” where two lines intersect when you divide up your “frame” into thirds.
      7. Sunny days leave stark shadows, including on faces. Get close and use your flash if trying to capture a person.
      8. Cloudy days can be perfect for picture taking.
      9. Use a tripod for video recording.

More Photo Tips

Points of Interest

    • People and animals – including staff in action
    • Sunrise and sunset silhouettes
    • Nature scenes with and without people and animals
    • Special event activities
    • Historical and interesting artifacts
    • Invited guests — presenters, exhibitors, musicians, historians, vendors, etc.
    • Faraway and close-up shots of people participating in outdoor recreation activities in anyof the “ings” like hiking, biking, swimming, camping, fishing, hunting, driving, wildlife watching, relaxing, boating, volunteering, etc.
    • Major attractions’ programs

Contact:
Friends of Land Between The Lakes
Volunteer Coordinator
270-924-2007 or 1-270-924-2022
volunteer@friendsoflbl.org

Volunteer Programs