Recce Form

1.    Are there any potential hazards that could pose a health and safety risk where your photo shoot will take place (trailing cables/traffic/other objects )? All the lights are connected to tracks on the ceiling so there should be no cables around. There will be props present which may be a tripping hazard.

2.    What will you do to ensure these risks are minimised? I will enter the studio before the model/s arrive and ensure that everything is set up correctly and that there are no loose wires or cables. I will also make sure that there are no props lying around that could be tripped on.

3.    Will the time of day/weather affect the outcome of the photos? Have you allowed for this? I have planned to take my photos in a studio to have full use of professional lighting. This will eliminate any chance of the weather affecting my images. I have also thought of taking some photos on site in different locations. If I try this, I will ensure to check the weather both days before and on the day to check what the weather will be like. I am hoping to get a day where the sun is shining and there is no rain so I will take this into consideration when planning my images.

4.    Have you considered the background to your photos, particularly if taken outside? How will you ensure you will get the background you want? When in the studio, the background will be plain white. This will allow me to keep focus on the models and to also have full effect of the lighting. I may also experiment with coloured gels to see the different effects possible. When shooting on location, I plan to use a background that is quite simple and does not have much happening in it such as a park to keep focus on the models.

5.    Have you considered lighting? What about the ‘problems’ of natural lighting, either outside, or streaming through a window? Will you need to use a flash? Have you considered reflective objects that might spoil the effect? In the studio natural light will not be a problem; however, a flash will be used to get the best quality image I can. When shooting on location, the main source of light will be natural light. I will take this into consideration and adjust my camera settings accordingly.

6.    Do you need permission to take photos in the place/venue you have in mind? I already have permission from my photography teacher at Shiney Row to use the studios there.

7.    Do you need to book time in a room (eg the photography studio at Shiney)? For my studio photos I will have to book time in the studio at Shiney Row.

8.    Are other people/crowds likely to be an issue for you? What have you done to ensure that it will not spoil the effect? They may cause problems on my shoot on location so to avoid this I will choose a location that is usually not very busy but I will also choose an unpopular time such as night or early morning.

9.    Are you reliant on lifts/props/friends’ equipment/models? How have you planned that these things will come together at the appointed time? Plan B? I will need props such as instruments for the models to wear. I have asked some friends who are in a band to pose and feature on my magazine. If this does not work, I will ask a close friend or family member to pose as an artist. I also own a guitar which can be used in the images.

10.    Finally, have you thought of every eventuality…? I think I have thought of everything however if I have not and a problem arises, I will deal with it rationally and think of the best possible solution I can.