Eastman Kodak Company
Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York, Teams with Kodak to Teach Consumers How to Take Great Pictures
Ferguson Contributes Advice and Personal Photos to Kodak's "Definition of a Great Picture" Guide
ROCHESTER, N.Y., September 23 -- Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York, and Kodak are helping consumers become better photographers one picture at a time. An avid amateur photographer, Ferguson has contributed her picture-taking tips and personal photographs to the second volume of Kodak's "Definition of a Great Picture" Guide.
Ferguson first began taking photographs as a way to record special family memories shortly after her eldest daughter, Beatrice, was born. Over the years, photography has become an integral part of her daily life, whether capturing intimate images of her family and friends or documenting her extensive travels and charitable and humanitarian work.
Ferguson's photos feature another one of her favorite passions, Little Red, the heroine of her new children's book series. To capture these images, she used Kodak High Definition film, which the company introduced earlier this year to provide clearer, more vibrant pictures and to help consumers to record the moment exactly as they remember it.
"I am excited to share my knowledge and experience in this field to help others become better picture-takers," said Ferguson. "My life requires me to be on the move constantly, so I believe it is important to take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the world in which we live. I always have my camera by my side and whenever possible, I will take time out of a busy schedule and start snapping."
Whether capturing every day moments or preparing for such special occasions as the upcoming holiday season, consumers will benefit by following some of the techniques that Ferguson relies on for capturing the perfect shot:
- Brace the camera for a steady
shot: To avoid blurry pictures, brace your camera on
a railing, the back of a chair or a table, or against a column
or tree. This helps keep the camera from moving and blurring the
pictures. Or use a pocket or full-size tripod.
- Choose a film designed for
clarity: Film choice can make a difference in the
clarity and color of an image. According to a recent consumer
survey, 75 percent of respondents identified clarity as one of
the two most important characteristics of a great picture. Kodak
introduced High Definition film to significantly reduce the
grain commonly found in pictures to produce clearer, more
vibrant images.
- Vary the camera
angle: Eye-to-eye contact is as engaging in a picture
as in real life. So try sitting on the ground and snapping some
photos from the child's perspective. Expressions will look more
natural, your flash photos will be more evenly lit from nose to
toe, and the background will probably look a lot better, too.
For group shots, try standing on a ladder and angling the camera
down.
- Keep your background simple:To make the colors
of your subject stand out, select
an uncomplicated background that does not compete with your
subject.
Fashioned after the popular "4Cs of a diamond" concept, the "Definition of a Great Picture" Guide provides insights and anecdotes on the four key characteristics defining picture quality: Clarity, Composition, Color and Content. It is available free-of-charge at www.kodak.com/go/filmguide.
"Our research indicates that consumers consider only a few images from a 24-exposure roll to be great photos," said Alex Hodges, Marketing Director, U.S. Consumer Imaging, Eastman Kodak Company. "At Kodak, we are always looking for ways to work with serious photo enthusiasts and photographers, such as The Duchess, to help educate consumers on how to take better pictures. We want people to realize that they don't have to be a professional photographer to get a great picture."
About Kodak High Definition Film
Introduced in response to consumer preference for high-quality, high-speed film products, Kodak High Definition film is the latest example of the company's ongoing efforts to expand the benefits of film and educate consumers on the various product choices available—ultimately resulting in better pictures for better sharing. Kodak has also taken steps to simplify the film category for consumers by helping them understand which film meets their photographic needs through the use of film packaging icons that illustrate specific product benefits. Kodak High Definition film is the only Kodak film that carries the diamond icon for clarity, and the film's new packaging communicates the film as the consumer choice for clearest pictures.
Ideal for everyday and special occasion use, Kodak High Definition film features advanced color-management technology that sharpens details and provides vibrant color accuracy. When taking pictures of people, this technology offers accurate skin-tone reproduction and improved true-to-life colors. The film's advanced imaging quality makes it ideal for conversion to digital images for use on computers or for e-mailing.
Kodak High Definition film is available through retailers nationwide in a 200- and 400-speed 35 mm film, as well as an Advanced Photo System (APS) format.