This is part 9 of 19 in the Storefront Photography Series. Click/tap here to see the Series Index.
This week is about how we can create calmness in our photos to help Maps users focus on the places in our photos. There are all kinds of disturbances that we should always aim to keep out of our photos. Some of the most frequent ones are explained below.
People
Aim to not have any people facing the camera when shooting storefronts. This can be a challenge in crowded areas. Tips to consider: Plan your photo walks to avoid the biggest crowds on the day and over the week. If you can’t wait until there is nobody in your frame, then people far away are better than people closer to you. Faces in the distance will not be recognizable. People seen from the side or back are also more acceptable than people facing your camera.
Selfies and group photos should never be added to Google Maps because our brains are programmed to check faces before anything else. Often Maps users look at a photo for only a split second. And if there are people in your shots, there will be even less time for them to see the places.
Or faces can be removed later as explained in part 6: How to blur faces and license plates.
Cars, bikes, and other vehicles
Storefronts should be “clean” without cars and trucks blocking Maps users from seeing the entire storefront whenever possible. When the sun is right, and a delivery truck blocks your view you can:
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wait until it moves
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move on and come back later
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try to “minimize” the obstruction by taking your shot more from the left or right side.
If there is moving traffic, you need to be ready and take the shot exactly when there is a break in the flow of traffic. This can be a bit boring, but you can select the zoom level, and maybe focus your camera while the cars zoom by.
Traffic signs, light poles, electricity wires, etc.
Make sure that such stationary objects do not obstruct your view of the storefront and especially the name of the business. All you can do is move to make such distractions less pronounced. Zooming can also be helpful.
Your shade and reflection
Always make sure your reflection is not visible in the frame. Shiny and reflective surfaces can act as a mirror. I try to always check for my reflection before I press the trigger. Same with my black shadow when the Sun is out behind me.
Dirt on your lens
I carry a soft lens cloth hidden in my phone cover. And I try to remember to clean the lens at the start of each photo walk. See this video
Other blatant distractions
Sunsets, sunrises, cloud formations, cute animals, and pretty flowers are other examples of what we should avoid in all Google Maps photos. They steal away attention from the places.
The photo above of my daughter and me should never be uploaded to the restaurant we are visiting. This is certainly not a photo showing the restaurant. The faces steal away all the attention that should have been on the restaurant! So please don’t upload such photos to Google Maps.
CU next week where the topic is learning from which of your Maps photos Google likes the most.
Cheers
Morten
