Multimedia Guide
The Science Writer would like to encourage writers to think about images that would be appropriate for illustrating their stories. The vision for The Science Writer calls for a high-quality look and feel. To that end, this manual sets out standards for the magazine’s images and other visual elements. In keeping with our high ethical standards, this manual also covers copyright and subject permission.
If you are a skilled photographer, please consider taking pictures during site visits related to your story.
If you will interview a researcher as part of your reporting plan, during the interview, please plan to ask for photos we could publish, if appropriate. For example, images or even short video clips of the scientist’s work.
If you are skilled at creating paintings, illustrations, or data visualizations such as maps, you are welcome to create one. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a data visualization, illustration, or painting but don’t have the skills or software or would like assistance from our design team, please let us know.
If other options are not possible, consider selecting free, high-quality images with Creative Commons licenses or public-domain images that would illustrate your story.
The process
While editors make the final decisions about which and how many images/multimedia elements to use for each story, we encourage writers to provide input.
Writers should submit image ideas. For each image, please provide the subject/description of the image, the creator or source of the image, the copyright of the image, and whether a model release is required.
Editors will consider your ideas and request copies of the images if they are interested in the concepts.
Editors will let writers know which images they decide to use. In some cases, editors may request an additional copy at a higher resolution. In some cases, editors may edit images (with permission of the image source).
Multimedia accompanying stories
Standards: Our standard is to use captivating imagery. Low-quality cartoons, clip art, and line art are generally not acceptable. The editors will consider photographs, original visual art (paintings, drawings), infographics, and data visualizations.
Subjects: In general, we prefer to use imagery of the people, places, and things involved in the scientific aspects of stories. Original student photographs are encouraged. When given a choice, we prefer that images represent diversity in the scientific community. Images of people with lived experience related to story topics (such as climate change impacts) are also encouraged. Images that objectify bodies sexually or otherwise are not acceptable.
Subject permission: Any images of children must come with a signed model release (please request from the design team). Public domain images and royalty-free images purchased from a commercial source are not required to have a model release, as they have already addressed subject permissions. We prefer to use stock photography if children are involved.
Copyright: The magazine will credit all multimedia sources in writing, with a hyperlink where appropriate.
The copyright for original student photographs or other original works of art remains with the artist. Submitting images to The Science Writer constitutes permission to use the images under First North American Serial Rights.
The magazine must have written permission to use any images provided by researchers or published in scientific journals (this can include emailed authorization). If these images include identifiable persons, the source (scientist or journal) must state that they have obtained a model release.
Any other images not created by students must be documented as either public domain (federal government produced, Creative Commons licensing, etc.) or purchased from a commercial royalty-free source such as iStock.
In the case of original images (whether student-created or provided by a researcher or journal), we will generally avoid pictures of children. If we choose original images of minors, a parent or guardian must sign a model release (please request from the design team) on behalf of the child.
No copyright violations will be tolerated.
Captions: Descriptive captions will be two font sizes smaller than the body text and limited in text. Splash images do not require captions as they are strictly decorative and thematic.
Alt-text: For accessibility purposes, alt-text/image description(s) is required. Here are some resources on how to write alt-text: 1, 2, 3.
Credits: Credit information should be displayed in five-point font after the descriptive caption if there is one. Credit statements should follow this formula: “Photo credit: Person X or Institution X.”
If using an image that is not original student art or licensed royalty-free material, we should state: “Used by permission.”
When crediting a Creative Commons license, use their specified wording but do not spell out the hyperlink; instead, add a live link to the source URL.
Creative Commons (CC)
Tools for Image Editing:
Your cellphone or camera
Finding multimedia content:
Visualize your story with data & maps:
Tips for your author bio/byline
Keep it short
Use active language
Make it stand out
Use an engaging photo
Provide social media info