Your Action Photo

Your action photo is perhaps the most important part of your action. The better your picture, the more effect it will have. It is evidence that people around the world have the very same ambitious goal for Planet Earth. All action photos will be posted on the internet and distributed to the media, as well as being printed out and delivered to world leaders know that they need to craft and agree to a fair, ambitious and binding climate deal at Copenhagen.

Here are seven guidelines to help you get a great action photo:

1. Check the camera. Make sure that it works, someone knows how to use it, and that its batteries are fully charged. Use the best digital camera you can find with the best person behind it and set it to the best-quality setting. If possible, organise a backup camera. If you can’t get a fancy camera, don’t worry – use a cellphone camera or whatever you can find. If you have to use a film camera rather than a digital one, make a plan to have the film developed as quickly as possible so it can be shared with the world.

2. Gather your people. It's crucial that you gather everyone together at your action for your photo - this is how we can show world leaders just how big this movement is. Ask them to look lively – 350 is fun, and we’re here to build a better world!

3. Show the number 350,
whether it's with people, a banner, giant cardboard numbers, trees, candles or whatever you can think of, this is crucial. Every picture needs to have 350 in it -- this is what will unite the photos all around the world, whether you're in Slovenia or Suriname.

4. Show us where you are.
If possible, include local landmarks or typical surroundings of your area in your picture. If you live in a city, have some buildings in the shot, or if you live by the sea, let’s see some water. Be careful not to make the people and the 350 too small in the picture, though.

5. Take more than one picture! It’s easy to take a few shots of groups, also from different angles or closer and further away. This will allow you a choice from which you can select your best images. Be creative with some of your shots!

6. Check the picture. Most digital cameras allow you to instantly review your pictures. Make sure your pictures look OK before everyone goes home.

7. Send us your best image. As soon as your picture is taken, go right to 350.org to submit an "Action Report" and upload your photo.  If you can't find that option on the website and would like to submit a photo now, just  submit them as attachments in an e-mail to photos@350.org -- in the subject line, please include the action location (city and country) and in the body please include a description of the photo(s).

Accurate caption information – who is in the picture (the name of your group) where it was taken and perhaps something brief about your action – will make the image more useful than one with too little caption information. Don’t forget the correct spellings of places and names! If you're developing film, see if you can have your pictures digitized so that you can upload them to 350.org.

Good luck! We can’t wait to see you wonderful images!

**We also love getting video footage from your actions! Check out our brief Video Guide to learn how to capture your action on camera effectively**


Ideas for including 350 in your Action Photo

Click on the thumbnails to see larger versions of the images

Make a Banner - this is the easiest and probably most fun - click here for step-by-step instructions!

 

Aerial Art - use people to spell out 350! Check out www.spectralq.com and contact for help and ideas.

 

Giant Numbers - find some big old cardboard boxes to cut into the shapes 3, 5, and 0 - then, paint away!

 

 

Trees or Plants - Doing a reforestation project? Form the plants or trees into a 350 before (or when planted) and take a photo with everyone there!

 

Murals - Paint a wall at your school or in your town (with permission) and take a photo next to it!

 

 

 

Make a 350 with.... ice!

 

... or sand!....

 

Or... your own idea! E-mail kevin[at]350.org with ideas, or questions.


350 Banner-making Tutorial

A banner is perhaps the simplest way to get 350 into your action photo.  You can get a professional banner printed, though that can be expensive - with a wide variety of cheap materials, you can make a far more beautiful and unique banner.

View the tutorial>>>

Download the PDF>>>