Evaluation of Project -

While during this term the DGP class has had much work other than Photography I have enjoyed this project and do like the work I have produced. While it may be simple, I believe it has answered the breif and ties well into it.

 

Planning the photoshoot was reltivley easy seeing as I had a pretty solid idea of what I wanted to do, though as allways this did evolve as more research and information was gained.

 

The biggest difficulty faced during the shoot was the location was rife with rubble and debris which made it difficult to safley set up the Elinchrom Monoblocks. This was circumevented by using small bean bags to support the lights on the ground and where a stand was needed I had my assistant hold the lighting stands solidly. 

 

Very luckily it was a very sunny, clear Novembers day and the sun light was perfect; created very pleasant and warming autumnal tones through several of my shots.

 

Unfortunatley due to the location being an abandonned farm house it was full of ingreats and youths causing damage and graphiting so full use of the location could not be exploited. None the less we used an area of the site which was quite tucked away so we managed to get the shoot done with no issues.

 

Looking into the Telegraph magazine it was very interesting seeing how it changes every week and how much different media it uses. It covers very broad topics, from homeware and fashion to troops on the front line and motorsport.

 

In conclusion the project was simple, effective interesting and I am pleased with the work I have produced.

 

Revised Layout - Filter Added

This is my revised layout of my Product Location Studio Photoshoot. As can be seen I have chosen to add the filter effect on to some of the images, but not all. In an attempt to make it all blend better I have limited the amount the filter affects each image.

 

Much happier with this layout, personally I believe it all flows much better, however still not 100% certain on the glasses (right page 3)

Post Production Contemplation

While the photoshoot came out much better than expected, very close to what I had in mind in the first place.

Originally I was going to add a layer effect onto each image which enhances the sharpness, the shadows and side flare. Though contemplating weather to even use this effect or not.

Examples below -

Without Filter Effect -

 

With Filter Effect -

As can be seen the filter effect sharpens up the image, creates starker, stronger shadows and adds detail to minor areas however that said it does remove detail from other larger areas.

Product InDesign Mock Up

Looking at the InDesign layouts I have created a premlinary layout to ensure all my images work with it.

While most of the images do work with the layout, It is more than likely I will change the order of them.

 

I like how the Gas Mask sits in the frame, though sadly it does sit slightly on the center fold so may well be changed. Being the first page it has floral autmnal tones, seems calming.

I chose to put the boots in this frame simply because it was landscape, though on reflection looking at the amount of writing surrounding it I may change this one to the Assault Vest.

 

 

This works well together and brings back the autumnal tones however when I change the top frame to the assault vest I will be changeing the Knife to the back of the Assault Vest. Then having the Boots and Knife together at the bottom.

Annerly Photoshoot #1

The photoshoot at Annerly went quite well, a few snags but over all it was a success.

 

The original plan was to have a series of photographs showing the set up and lighting however my phone was stolen, along with those photographs...

However that said I do have a small selection of photographs taken by my assistant showing one of the set ups -

 

As can be seen the lighting set did change from my original lighting plan. One light has been used with a beauty dish to illuminate my subject and the second has been used as a fill light to illuminate the background.

 

This was the set up used to photograph the Gloves. Only using one light to illuminate them from one side. Though still filling the background

 

 

That said I still have the actual images from the shoot.

 

While most of the images will remain un-edited I will be adding a layer over some of them.

 

 

 

Just a few shots, I am please because I did manage to get the desired lighting affect, stark and strong shadow. However this was done using one light and sunligh the majority of the time.

 

The FT Magazine, The Telegraph Magazine and the Sunday Times Magazine

A collection of the Telegraph Magazines and its competators. While I found a similar article of what I am doing in the Telegraph magazine, the FT Magazine was slightly more useful. Being titled 'War & Peace' done for the Remembrance Sunday.

 

 

Annerly Recon - Photographs

I managed to get to my primary location with proper access this time. As I hoped there where plenty of locations where I can set up my objects, along with many locations where the natural lighting can filter in, happily balanced by the Ranger Flash Kits.

 

Providing all goes to plan the photoshoot will go ahead on Wednesday 14th Nov.

Call Sheet #2 -

Location - (transport provided)
William Booth Road
Annerly

Assistant -
Naiomi Gezcy

Time -
Weds 14th Nov
Midday - 3pm

Equipment -
Ranger Flash Kits
Canon 550d
Canon 430 exii Flashgun
Softbox
Reflector
Wireless Flash Triggers

Telegraph Magazine & Competators

When researching the Telegraph magazine for the shoot I found an artical similar to what I will be doing.

A focus on a personal product. However this artical was about refugees making their way to the border, the photographs are of their worn and tatterd shoes. It holds similarity to what I will be doing as the photographer has not looked at the people but rather their shoes which tell a much better story than just a portrait.

While the layout is different the subject and idea are similar.


When looking at the various newspaper magazines/colour suppliments that are available on the weekend I found the Sunday Times Magazine which is quite celebrity orientated, the FT Magazine which has more of a focus on people rather than celebrities.

Attempted Recce of Location 1 - Annerly

Over both Friday & Saturday I attempted to recce my first choice location which was a series of abandoned buildings in Annerly. Though when I arrived I found the location to have been previously broken into and cordoned off by the local Security Service who would not allow me anywhere near the site.

However that said I did manage to get the contact details of the owner of the site who I will be contacting on Monday in attempt to arrange proper access.

None the less I will be travelling to my back up locations aswell.

Lighting Diagram & Examples.

 

 

Here is the lighting diagram I have come up with for my photoshoot, though a rathe basic set up I believe it will give my the light effect I require.

 

Though as the weather is generally not that predictable the location and amount of natural light may change as I shoot. Forecast will of course be checked piror to shoot. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some examples of what type of lighting I will be trying to create.

 



 

 

 

 

As you can see in each photograph the lighting is quite stark and very sharp creating almost a 'dirty used' look and feel to each image.

Idea & Lighting Cont. -

I have settled on the 'product' theme using Military Gear as my product. Still using the abandoned building idea balancing natural light with flash.

Though I do want quite stark harsh lighting, with strong shadow. To acheive this I was thinking of using one light on either side at a slight angle using a silver/gold reflector to highlight key areas of the products.

As my overal 'theme' is abandoned, decay and rotting I will be using used and worn gear so that the product matches the background. Though the gear will still be in good condition, just have a used look.

As for products I have an idea of what I can use -

Flyye RICAS Plate Carrier
5.11 Combat Boots
Wiley X SG-1 Balistic Glasses
Flyye Marksman Belt


I think the way it would tie into the Telegraph is a spread on showing the gear and products that the military use on a day to day basis saving their lives. A different perspective showing the gear rather than the soldier or what he does.

Call Sheet

Considering my project will be product I will not need many people in order to help with this shoot. Just one assistant -

Photographer -
Josh Hutchins
07799885***
j.hutchins@students.rave.ac.uk

Assistant -
Naomi Gezcy
077557962***
n.gezcy@students.rave.ac.uk

Location -
8, William Booth Road
Annerly,
London

Time & Date-
TBC
1200hr - 1500hr.

Equipment Required - Will be provided on site
Elinchrome Ranger Portable Flash Kit
Softbox Kit
Canon 550D DSLR
Canon 480Exii Flashgun

Transport -
I will be providing transport to and from location

Lighting Ideas -

As far as lighting goes obviously I cannot create a full lighting diagram however I can come up with some ideas.

What first drew me to the idea of abandoned buildings in the first place was that I could find a room/area with a damaged ceiling where natural light could shine through onto my subject then balance using a softbox flash. Hopefully creating a well balanced well lit image.

Though considering I have not settled on a solid idea yet the lighting may change all together.

Preliminary Ideas -

I found the aspect of creating a studio on location and indoors an interesting project as it is somthing that as a photographer will definatley be require in the future.

When thinking about locations I wanted somthing slightly unique, different with a lot of history or feel to it. In light of this I want to create my 'studio' in an abandoned building, structure or fort.

Here is a list of locations I have thought of so far, some of them I have easy access to some of them are a little bit more difficult due to the location.

Annerly - A heavily graphited abandoned farm house
Essex - Telephone Construction Factory
Charlton - Bunker 51 - Converted Nuclear Bunker
Chatham - Fort Amherst - Abandonned/Decaying Church/Chapel
Medway - Cliffe Fort
Land Rover

As for the subject -

- Product
Military Gear -
I suppose rather a simple idea however could work well with the abandoned decaying buildings.

- Fashion
Metal/Rocker -
Not the biggest fan of fashion or fashion shoots. Though it could be interesting to come up with one.

- Food
Rotting Burger & fries -
This idea may work well when combined with the decaying nature of the surrounding buildings. Not sure why I chose Burger & Fries, maybe as a comment on the terrible quality of fastfood. Though certainly more interesting than some fruit.

- Portrait