Thursday, 10 May 2012

Studio Photography Equipment / Health & Safety


Set-Up
The setting up of this equipment with the light switched on, helped the shoot run smoothly with minimal complications. 

Bowens Lighting Specifications Ref [online] http://www.karlu.com/product_info.php?products_id=11333

Pre-Shoot Assessment
Coiled Cable Hazard was removed as this was trip hazard and care was taken to avoid banging my head on the overhead lighting. Cables were also inspected to ensure there were no damages in the cables before operation to help prevent possible electrical shock, i felt these measures were sufficient enough to provide a safe working environment.
Studio Camera
The camera i used in the studio is a Canon D5 with a 24-105mm lens, an ideal choice for my assignments the use of a link cable was required this cable was kept out of the walking area.
Cannon SLR D5 & Yellow link cable
Before lights were turned off the walk space was cleared of obstacles, the working area was familiarized as the equipment was set up in a predetermined fashion as required.
The controls on the back of the Bowens light unit allows the photographer to switch the lamp on and off select beep and pulse a strobe, it was directly connected to the Canon D5 using a sync cable.

Excessive cables are neatly coiled behind the lighting unit as these cables are fed directly down from the ceiling structure the light can be moved around during a shoot with no trip hazards.
Soft Box & Controllable Lighting
The above images were taken from my mobile phone during preparation of my studio photography shoot, as a log of equipment used. Using this equipment i continually explore different types of lighting. The lighting used is fully controllable. A pulse of light is also fired off in synchronization with the camera via a sync cable, a radio transmitter was also available for operation without a cable where cables might present a hazard.

During the initial set up of all the equipment i used careful consideration of where all cables and props and obstacles were placed to keep walking areas safe and clear, The working environment was dark during shots taken and my preparation prevented any potential hazards, such as trips falls and walking into any objects.

I identified some possible hazards, were cables that could cause a trip hazard, general check and test of all electrical equipment checking for damaged cables or power outlets, the scissor brackets that hold the overhead lighting can cause a hazard if incorrectly used, as fingers could get caught up in the mechanical brackets and cable pulleys.

Some of my other studio safety considerations, included familiarizing my surroundings, hazardous chemicals in the area and implications of using electrical equipment.



References

Hse.gov.uk (2002) Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) - COSHH. [online] Available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/ [Accessed: 10 May 2012].
Legislation.gov.uk (1974) Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. [online] Available at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/37 [Accessed: 10 May 2012].

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Assignment 306 - Studio Photography Statement of Intent

Theme 1 - Product Photography 


Statement on Intent

My intention for this theme 'Product Photography' is to capture images using a wide range of techniques exploring how and what makes a still life products or its features and shapes exciting, I will aim to deliver a highly professional finished piece of work inline with reference to my research. Skills developed will be later applied within the industry and be a part of the service i hope to provide future clients. Knowing how and where the image will be used will depend on the planning and initial vision of each project.

My first direction will be to recreate similar images seen in my research, I will plan my photo shoot, ensuring i have the required equipment and materials/products and props, I will also consider health and safety throughout all my time in the studio.

The secondary goal during of my shoot will be to capture striking shapes that impel products to be interesting from milk cartons to cereal boxes, i want to have a foundation to apply graphics to later on, for a combination of contrasting lighting levels and creative ideas.


Theme 2 - Advertising Photography


Statement of Intent


The work produced within this theme 'Advertising Photography' will be applicable to a range of advertising media from websites, online banners, advertising campaigns booklets flyers or posters, with the main intention to promote product images or services with a creative visual message that stands out in todays environment.

I will engage creative ideas and explore new techniques i have never done before both pushing my limits , within this theme i would like to explore capturing movment

The approach of each shot i will take will be very different from the next, my research shows how professional shots have been combined with various different presentation skills, some images don't require

Thursday, 3 May 2012

Photoshop Wallpaper: Abstract Lazer - Tutorial CS3, CS4, CS5

Photoshop Tutorials - How to manipulate an image into text

Tutorial Photoshop: Manipulate Photos for Advertising 2



The photoshop skills and techniques in this video help expand the imagination of what can be further produced after the initial shoot to produce a professional image, with strong marketing qualities.

Photography masterclass: post production retouching in photoshop



I like the use of the clone tool to more finely enhance the details in the image, however time consuming the end result is an enhanced version of the original shot.


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Mirror Effect Product Photo - Advertising Design Series



This example shows how a mirror effect can be applied using photo edition software, commonly used in products photography, it shows blur and layer techniques that can be applied to my work.

Episode 17 , a review of studio product photography tricks a



Good use of highlighting the contours using good camera angles.

Q-Vision Studios : Product Photography



No techniques are shown here however examples of the work show a similar level of the quality of work i will produce within both my themes, good use of lighting and a range of products.

Product Photography and Still Life - Video Research



The photographer in this video talks about how to make the most of a number of lighting techniques, i like the use of fishing wire to suspend the product, and precise direction of lighting in certain areas where more detail is required, he also speaks strongly near the end of the clip about lens flare, letting too much light into the camera can ruin the shot and all its preparation. This will be considered during my next shoot where this type of lighting is used.

Thursday, 15 March 2012

Research KL Raja - Advertising Photographer

The tones and textures give a feeling of warmth, with good exposure

The lighting has been positioned to clearly show the contours of this item, this could also be created as a very well made vector graphic, this image has a good level of black without loss of contrast.

Vibrant colours make this image more interesting to the eye, good lighting levels throughout the grill mesh, and assisting light in the fore front.

Carefully arranged group view of parts gives perspective to the items on display

I like the blue in the background and the darker tones help lift the image 

Natural colours and warm tones assist the flower but colours clash, good level of light and shadow,  i would have used a neutral or hard colour in the flower as i feel the background is to rich for it to stand out, I'm attracted to the deep red gradient initially and this takes my focal point away from the bag. 
The background layer makes this image more appealing,  i would recreate this by using editing software, however the initial image of the suspension has captured a good quality of black keeping the correct level of exposure.

Great reflections balance of lighting and a backdrop texture, the many skills used here to produce this image has also been to skill fully arrange theses oil filters in a desirable appealing order.

The intense level of light hitting the side of the glass in this image, it works for me as i like the tones and balance of this image, it feels classic and warm.

I like the use of exposure combined with the correct F-stop value, this effect can also be applied using photoshop, the focal point falling directly onto the centre image of the bulb, also clearly showing the three pin fitting. Colours and lighting feel natural.

I like the combination of reflections and contrasting backdrops, to give this image a more dramatic feeling.


Reference
Klrajaphotography.com (2008) KL. Raja Photography: Chennai Advertising Photographer,Advertising Commercial Food Photography,Fashion Photographer in Chennai. [online] Available at: http://www.klrajaphotography.com [Accessed: 8 Mar 2012].

Research Ian Jackson - Product Photographer

A range of creative techniques have been used here, i am interested in the top centre image as i would like to capture flow of movement and also apply similar effects to my own work.

References
Ijphoto.co.uk (n.d.) Ian Jackson, Hampshire UK - Photography Portfolio. [online] Available at: http://www.ijphoto.co.uk/Portfolio/portfolio.html [Accessed: 8 Mar 2012].

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Research Huw Jones - Product Photographer

I like the presentation of this work and image capture of liguid flowing into the glass, contrasting colours compliment the tones tones.

Lighting appears to flow through the ice with the focal point being the colour element of the product name.

The use of a frosted shadow is a great idea, a good balance of white and grey elements with the right level of exposure

This combination of moving steam, typography contrasting colours 

Vibrant colour really stands out giving the feel in that this hoover could be fun or funky.

I really like the precision in the arrangement of this image blended with textures and skill full effects to make this image presentable, these techniques are great for a professional look and feel to promote this product.

Creative use of the product, visually stimulating colours and even use of lighting.

In this shot i cannot see what is being achieved as a product point of sale, the edges of the bracelet are unclear and its difficult to pick out the outlines by eye, initially it seem feminine and colourful.

This image has it all, for me its a clear message and high quality representation of the product, the combination of colours and typography work to make this feel like a dark sin, quality classy and appealing, i hope to apply this professional approach my work. 

Vibrant product packaging, the idea of having the same patterns as on the packaging feels inventive but was not the thing i noticed, in fact i didn't notice at all, then soon realised this was staged to look like an artists studio to design the packaging, use of black in the background here adds more depth to the colours and trains more focus on the product. 

Balancing filters and dark contrasting tone, slightly offset leaves a deep impact, feels surgical and delivers the desired message.


References
Hjphoto.co.uk (2012) Huw Jones - I'm a Commercial, Advertising, Product Photographer servicing a global client base. [online] Available at: http://www.hjphoto.co.uk/ [Accessed: 8 Mar 2012].

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Research Tim Wallace - Ambient Life

Image by Ambient Life -  i like what has been achieved in this image combining the viewing angle with contrasting chrome, i could see how this will work in a brochure, and is the type of work i would like to produce.

Image by Ambient Life - Textures and focal point of the logo make this an interesting image, the white text feels enhanced or superimposed maybe just brightened to make Hugo Boss stand out that bit more.

Image by Ambient Life - I like the textures and elevation of the metal aspect of this shot you can see how important deep blacks are in portraying this material the outline edge blends into the shadow and adds to the overall effect.

Image by Ambient Life - Great lighting levels on the tyre tread

Image by Ambient Life

Image by Ambient Life

Image by Ambient Life

Image by Ambient Life

Image by Ambient Life

Image by Ambient Life

Image by Ambient Life

Image by Ambient Life

Image by Ambient Life

Image by Ambient Life

Image by Ambient Life

Image by Ambient Life

Image by Ambient Life

Image by Ambient Life

Image by Ambient Life

Image by Ambient Life


References
Ambientlife.co.uk (2010) Tim Wallace Photographer: Automotive Car and Commercial Advertising Photography. [online] Available at: http://www.ambientlife.co.uk [Accessed: 8 Mar 2012].

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