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Photos are of unrivalled importance in the modern world.
Photos are of unrivalled importance in the modern world. They sell our formats in the ZDFmediathek, on TV, in trailers, on Smart TV / HbbTV and in TV guides.
Only one special image ends up on the ZDFmediathek homepage.
The starting point for successful photos is a photo briefing, which is put together by the editorial team in collaboration with the Communications Department. This guide does not replace such a briefing; however, it might serve as the basis for it. Outstanding images can only be created if the editorial team, production company and photographers work well together. This also means that enough time has to be planned for photos during the shoot.
For each production, we need:
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Cover images / key visuals
01Cover images are used to represent the format. They are staged with clarity and high quality, showing protagonists and giving an idea of important plot elements. They are more than just a simple still photo – their function is similar to that of a film poster.
A cover image should ideally be shot “in camera”, i.e. the image should be photographed in its entirety. The combination of cut-outs and background renders to create a composite image should only be an emergency solution.
02A good planning process allows a variety of formats to be generated from one single image.
If cut-outs and renders have to be combined to create a composite image, care must be taken to ensure that both images are shot at the same location and in the same lighting so that the result appears natural and not edited.
03Key visuals go beyond the aspiration of a cover image by capturing the essence of a format, fascinating viewers and arousing attention and curiosity.
04They are structured and designed by graphic means, making them even more complex and sophisticated than cover images.
05They often show the most important protagonists in front of a real or staged background, but the basic idea or core of the format can also be visualised.
06Examples
07Key visuals and cover images are used to generate headers and teasers in the ZDFmediathek and have to cover a wide range of formats.
08Key visuals are also used as poster endings for on-air promotions and as headers in the press portal.
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Still photos (episode images)
01Still photos are taken on set during a production. They convey the feeling of a film scene, but they can and should be staged separately. They should tell a little story at a glance. The images must be clear, tidy and easy to grasp.
02Best Practice Examples Fiction
03Best Practice Examples Doku
04Best Practice Series (Dr. Ballouz)
05Still photos are used as episode images in the ZDFmediathek…
06… as downloads in the press portal…
07or for social media posts.
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Portraits (character images)
01Portraits are used in the ZDFmediathek, as well as for autograph cards in some cases.
02Portraits are used in the ZDFmediathek, as well as for autograph cards in some cases.
Specifications
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Technical specifications
Shot in Raw, submitted as TIFF; Raw files must be retrievable for 2 years.
Cover images and key visuals for print in DIN A3, 300dpi, 16:9 (4000 x 2250 px) and in panorama format (at least 2850 x 855 px).Material to be submitted
Cover images / key visuals: 1-2 images per production, series or (new) season, incl. individual cut-outs and renders. Final cover image in landscape AND portrait format.
Portraits: Number of portraits depends on the cast.
Shooting start photo: 1 image taken during the first week of shooting.
Still photos: Landscape format, the best and most expressive production images to be shortlisted by the photographer (max. 50 photos in total).
Production length of 60 minutes or more: min. 10 images from scenes
Production length of up to 60 minutes: min. 8 images from scenes
Production length of up to 45 minutes: min. 6 images from scenes
Documentaries / reports: min. 8 images per episodeCopyright:
Every photo must be provided with a full copyright notice (first and last name of the photographer). The country and city must also be indicated.
All images must be submitted exclusively to ZDF; they must not be passed on to third parties.
The photographer must fill out the ITPC (file information). All captions must be entered in the “Image description” or “Caption” field; images must be captioned as follows:
Scene photos: role name, actor’s name (first and last name with correct capitalisation) Portraits: actor’s name, role name
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Submission
Submission of images via FTP:
During the first half of a production, approx. 10 photos taken during shooting must be sent to ZDF via FTP for the purpose of technical quality controls. Any first-look rights remain unaffected by this.
To do this, you will have to register via the ZDF press portal (http://presseportal.zdf.de).
You will need an FTP client programme to transfer files via FTP. The following access data must be entered in the connection settings of the FTP client programme:
Server / host / host name: presseportal.zdf.de; Protocol: FTP encryption: explicit FTP over TLS (FTPS).
You will receive a username and password once you have been accredited (https://presseportal.zdf.de).
Submission of images on storage device:
If necessary, ZDF reserves the right to request a storage device with all production images (in RAW, TIFF, JPG or other formats).
The creation and delivery of the storage device is included in the fixed price; it must be sent to the TV editorial team responsible for the material. The submission of a storage device with all production images is mandatory for still photography.
