Photography

TigerStock is RIT’s university photo library, maintained by Marketing and Communications.

TigerStock Photo Library

All individuals whose image, video, or voice will be used for RIT marketing or promotional purposes (such as print materials, video, web, or social media) should complete and submit a release form.

• Please access the internal talent release form.
• If you will be taking photo or video of a larger group, please provide the link to the internal talent release form prior to the shoot to all subjects. This ensures adequate time for submission.
• External talent release forms can be provided by emailing ritps@rit.edu

Release forms are generally not needed if the person is photographed/videotaped in public-access spaces or at public events where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy, including but not limited to: sporting events, events within the Gordon Field House, Imagine RIT, Commencement, FreezeFest, SpringFest, and concerts. These types of photographs include general campus scene photos.

Written permission should be sought whenever possible when an individual or small group of individuals in a public setting are the central subject of the photo.

When advertising for your event, please include this notice in event postings, emails and webpages:

This event will be photographed/videoed. By attending, you grant Rochester Institute of Technology (“RIT”)  permission to use photographs and/or audio-visual recordings in which you appear, now and in the future, for illustration, promotion, art, editorial, advertising, and trade, or any other purpose. 

If you are planning to have an event photographed, please print and display these posters to let your attendees know that they may be photographed. This is our legal disclaimer, but should not take the place of getting photo releases whenever possible.

• Photo and recording notice poster 12x18
• Photo and recording notice tabloid 11x17
• Photo and recording notice letter size 8.5x11
• Presentation Graphic 16x9

This category is all about the people. Candid photos should capture RIT people in their natural element. These images should be in the moment, never posed, showcasing the amazing things our people are doing. This photographic style should capture moments of real emotion, spirit, and achievement. This can include smiles, laughter, and other positive expressions, as well as introspection and hopeful reflection.

To capture the uniqueness of the individuals at RIT, while also conveying the sense of movement in “On to Something,” we can use portraits that incorporate a blurred background. These photos use a shooting technique called motion blur that slows down the shutter speed. Not only do these portraits capture our people in the moment, they bring a lot of movement and personality to the brand.

To show the diversity of our people and our programs, use overhead perspectives to capture the real work environments of our students. When scouting for these photos, look for desktops, workspaces, common areas, gathering spaces, and other types of work stations to help convey the wide range of studies that the RIT community explores every day.

One way to invoke the feeling of “On to Something” is to use long exposure to capture multiple people working in a single shot. To help convey this sense of motion and momentum, focus on active shots of individuals or groups of people moving through work spaces, or groups of people working at adjacent work stations.

The use of portraiture puts a human face to our university. We want to show RIT students, faculty, and staff in the best light, which means capturing them with authenticity—no need for photo effects or heavy editing.

Our portraiture can range from lighthearted and warm to serious and resolute. When capturing portraits, the focus should be on the individual. Subjects should be looking at the camera, from within an environment, not a studio. Overly stylized photos don’t reflect the genuine nature of the RIT brand. Ensure that these shots always feel natural and not staged.

Inside and outside the classroom, we want to show individuals and groups pursuing their passion and doing what they love. Using dramatic angles and capturing subjects intensely focused on the task at hand or posing next to their work, these images express energy, emotion, and determination. When taking these photos, look for unique perspectives, close-ups, depth of field, dramatic light, interesting environments, and action.

Detail photography is a great way to highlight RIT’s many unique aspects. We can highlight our processes, tools, equipment, and achievements. We can also use these shots to showcase the everyday beauty of our campus.

The goal here is to capture some of the small things that add up to a bigger picture. When photographing around campus, it’s always a good idea to zoom in on a wide shot and snag a few shots of what makes the composition unique. People can be present, but the focus should be less about the individual and more about what they’re doing or what they’re interacting with, at a much closer level.

These images serve as a window into our areas of study and the tools of our trades. Objects can offer interesting and unexpected ways to visually represent an idea.

This style is important to maintain consistency throughout the library. To get the best result, objects should be shot in a studio on a white background with good lighting. From there, a designer will need to cut out the object from the background. Be sure not to overuse this style; it’s more of an accent to our primary styles.