Digital images are downloaded onto a computer and can be transformed in many ways. It is impossible to guarantee that a digital photograph is the original. To retain authenticity and truthfulness, IFAD does not manipulate digital images, except for occasional removal of product labels or other elements such as cigarettes or plastic bags.
Cropping images
Cropping images to tighten the composition, add impact or exclude distracting elements is acceptable. Cropping that changes the context and main focus of the photograph is not acceptable. Although photographs can serve as design elements, the content and message of the photograph should remain intact.
Captioning photos
Photographers must provide captions for all photographs. Captions should:
- provide details beyond what can be seen in the photograph
- be informative, interesting and engaging
- include the first and last names of subjects
- include the date and location, even if approximate
- include quotes from subjects, if possible, as they make the story more captivating.
Additional captioning
- Quotes and personal stories are important. They must be used with names.
- Names of locations are essential (even if it is the nearest village).
- Give additional background information describing problems and solutions wherever possible. Elements such as names of crops, seedlings, tools, irrigation methods, handicraft items and vaccinations are important.
- Use travel time with the project staff to check spelling of proper names and geographical locations. Project staff can be helpful in providing additional information for captions.
Photo credits
Photographs are automatically protected by copyright and the photographer must be given credit when a photograph is used. Accurate crediting of photographs also aids in identifying and accessing them for future use. Published IFAD photographs must be credited to deter copyright infringement and give due credit to both IFAD and the photographer. The credit format is: ©IFAD/photographer’s full name. If it is not possible to put the credit directly next to the photograph, it should be inserted on the last page of the publication, or a hyperlink should be made to the IFAD website or Image Bank.
Labelling image files
Image files should be numbered (no text should be used in the file name) and captions should be embedded as metadata using basic Adobe Photoshop xmp metadata format as follows:
Digital images must have the minimum technical parameters
Professional photographers:
- Document title: Country, name of project, month, year
- Author: Photographers full name
- Description: Caption that includes proper names, name of village, action, some background information.
- Copyright notice: ©IFAD/ Photographers full name
- Copyright info URL: www.ifad.org
Digital images must have the minimum technical parameters
Professional photographers:
- Tiff, JPG, PSD or RAW format
- 300 dpi
- Expandable to 35 megabytes
- 365 mm x 245 mm