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].

For studio photography or graphic design solutions please visit:

www.mccammondesigns.co.uk

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

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.

For studio photography or graphic design solutions please visit:

www.mccammondesigns.co.uk

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.