Photography is vital in showing the brand identity of Modesto Junior College.
Images give the opportunity to convey the college’s rich history, diversity, and community
in ways words cannot. From the academic experience to the feeling of community, these
images represent an authentic view into Modesto Junior College.
The style of photography focuses on using natural light to create an authentic view,
with even exposure and warm, vibrant colors. A shallow depth of field provides an
intimate connection and candid experience with the subject allowing the viewer to
experience being in the moment; creating a window into to what it feels like to be
part of Modesto Junior College’s diverse community.
4 Focus Areas of Photography
Focusing on how students learn and where they learn gives the college’s audience an
honest view into all the programs available at MJC.
Classrooms: From traditional classrooms and Libraries, to the Regional Fire Training
Center and Allied Health Simulation Labs, learning environments vary greatly across
both campuses. Sharing images of these experiences demonstrates what it is like to
learn and grow at Modesto Junior College.
Faculty Interactions: Leading the classroom is only the beginning of how faculty influence
students. Highlighting the work outside of the classroom (office hours, club advisors,
mentorship) is key in showcasing the time and dedication faculty provide to students.
Study time: Learning does not only happen in the classroom. Across the college’s many
facilities students find places to work and collaborate. Study rooms, benches, labs,
and art studios name only a few of the options available to students. These photos
give an earnest view into the support provided to students.
Capturing students, faculty, and staff making connections on and off campus. This
includes students chatting on campus, meeting with staff, social activities, and community
outreach.
Pirates in the Wild: MJC students, staff, and faculty show an active commitment to
the local community through their participation in activities like local park clean
ups, participating in parades, or helping refugees adjust to a new city. Capturing
images of this work allows prospective students to connect with what is important
to them and find ways to be a part of the community.
Campus Life: Images of authentic student engagement at events like Commencement, West
Fest, Spooky Night, and Homecoming showcase MJC’s Pirate spirit and student life.
Partnerships: Being a part of Modesto and the Central Valley for over 100 years, MJC
has been dedicated to community involvement. Outside groups and organizations coming
to campus shows the college’s commitment to serving as a cornerstone of the community
and contributing to its development.
Photography that focuses on the people of MJC plays a key role in connecting the college’s
primary audience to the humanity and stories about the institution.
Stories: The success of students gives the college reason to celebrate. Bringing these
people forward and highlighting their journey through MJC lets future students know
what the college can do for them.
Portraits: Capturing creative images to highlight special programs, sports, or student
government. Portraits show off the individuals that make up our diverse programs.
Students can envision themselves at their best and representing the future of the
college.
Ceremonies: Seeing students complete their program is always a prideful moment for
family, friends, staff, and faculty. Seeing the humanity and emotion behind these
events lets the community at large connect with all the accomplishments made throughout
the academic year.
Photos of architecture, the natural surroundings or for navigational and informational
needs. These images focus on providing MJC students with the views they need to explore
campus.
Buildings: Giving a street level view of facilities and offices helps those using
digital maps navigate MJC. Ultimately connecting everyone to the many resources and
services available.
Headshots: Leadership, Faculty, and Staff portraits give the community an opportunity
to put a face to the name when looking at organizational charts and online profiles.
Allowing students to see who is behind the message and familiarize themselves with
colleagues.
Team Photos: Showing the people behind the services gives students and staff the comfort knowing that they have many people to support them.
Authenticity and Inclusivity
Modesto Junior College is committed to creating and promoting education for every
member of its diverse community. The college’s photography aims to represent everyone
in the community in terms of sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation,
pregnancy status or any other characteristic protected by district policy or state,
local or federal law.
With few exceptions, college photography avoids staged or overly polished imagery
that would showcase an inauthentic view of the college, its students or staff.
Usage Guidelines
When using photos for projects, the selections should serve the story and deliver
on the defined message or strategy. These guidelines are set to ensure we remain authentic
in our portrayal of Modesto Junior College.
Editing should be kept to a minimum, only enhancing the technical quality but not
changing the intent of the photo. Avoid over saturation, exaggerative filters and
other elements that distract from the message of the photo. Alterations that misrepresent
the image, confuses or misleads our audience is prohibited.
Allowable
Digital equivalents of traditional and well established lightroom practices such as
dodging, burning, and cropping.
Color/tonal correction, and technical touch ups for the purpose of color balance and
removal of technical flaws (artifacts, dust spots, digital noise).
Flipping of image to fit desired format/layout of a project is permissible but must
not change the viewers perception.
Removal of unauthorized or offensive logos/text, or out of place objects is allowed
as long as the modified version stays true to the intent of the original photo.
Minimal editing for portraits and headshots. (Glares, reflections, hot spots, flyaway
hair, minimum skin softening)
Use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) for generative expand of the background to fit
the technical needs of a project.
Not Allowable
Content alteration by moving, adding, combining, stretching, and or shrinking elements
of the photo.
Alterations of someone’s physical identity beyond simple portrait cleanup.
The use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) to create a full image or manipulate and misrepresent
a scene.
As artificial intelligence develops around design and visual storytelling, additional
consideration will be published.
Tinted Photography
Tinted or duotone photography is utilized for presentations, large documents, or promotional
materials where visual interest needs to be subtle. All tinted photography is treated
using Modesto Junior College’s brand colors and not heavily retouched unless to resolve
legibility concerns.
All images that are tinted should be high quality images produced by the Modesto Junior
College photography team to ensure the final product is in accordance with brand standards.
Patterns
The wave pattern is used against the blue on printed or digital material.
The wave pattern should never appear behind large swaths of body copy as it will affect
readability. Limit text to large headers, or bold word art to maintain proper contrast
and accessibility. The wave pattern is used as a solid tone with no gradation.
Gradients
Gradients of the MJC Blue appear frequently in marketing.
Most commonly, the blue is gradated across photography either along the bottom or
the left and right sides of the image. Never over the top of a photo unless used in
a extremely vertical format. The blue should always transition from 100 percent to
0 percent at full opacity. The gradation should be even and not vary in transition.
Faces or important details should not be obscured with the gradient. Gradient treatments
should not be used where text would become illegible.
