Planning - Proposing
Use these prompts below to generate your plan
1. Clarify (Describe) what the intention is e.g. why you're making this work, making a direct link with the assignment content.
2. Where - say where your making the images - studio, location, explain why you're doing it there - strengths and weaknesses of the location/studio. Problems you might encounter what you'll do in advance to alleviate those problems.
3. When - The date, time, explain why at that time, especially if on location - as the light will be dramatically different at different times of day. Be as technical as you can when talking about the light. Write about the time in terms of urgency and the assignment deadline.
4. What with - What camera and equipment are you using, what focal length lens, what tripod, what additional equipment will you need - will you have a back-up camera? Use a check-list in your book, have everything on the check-list - Empty SD card, charged batteries, additional batteries and SD cards. Tripod plates, cables, hotshoe adapters, light meters, extension leads, flash heads and other studio kit (Use the names/brands of the equipment).
5. How (Technique) - Explain how you're going to shoot the images, what approach will you use, how do you want it to look? Is it going to like or borrow something of a famous photographers style or technique? How are you going to ensure that you get the exposures right - what method will you use to do your light readings - maybe explain what metering pattern you use and say why. What are you going to do about your backgrounds? Do your backgrounds play an important part in the images visual language/narrative? How are you going to use the back-grounds - out of focus or in focus? How do you intend to use depth of field generally? What shutter speed will you hope to be using and why? What white balance will you use and why? What file type will you use and why?
6. Who with - Models, assistants, make-up artist, stylists, drivers etc. Who will you use as the model, could you find models? Are you using the same model again and again - why? Do you think that when you show your folio to prospective employers or Universities they might view this negatively? Have you used anyone else to style it or do any of the other roles in photography - see the image below of a Location shoot I witnessed as well as the photographer and the 1 model (Yasmin Le Bonn) there were at least 12 other people... Stylists, Make-up artists, hair-stylists, 4 x assistants, art director. Could your images be improved with more effort and attention to detail?
7. Using what light Before you shoot, you should have some idea of the kind of light you want, what do you want the light to do - define shape, form and texture, or do you want light that wraps around the subject with low contrast? Again, make connections with other photographers work... I want to get the same effect as photographer a and b and write about the light using the correct terminology. With the light you should write about the time of day and weather and what you're hoping for - you could support this with weather reports - with images of charts showing the weather you'll probably get and then also include a weather contingency plan.
With the light - if you're in the studio use a floor plan diagram and add images or diagrams of the lighting equipment you're going to use and explain why and what effect this might have on the outcome.
8. Health and Safety Many of the units have a requirement to address H&S, so within your plan make sure you write about the H&S aspects that you have to deal with and explain what you do to ensure you, your model and any others that are involved in your shoot are also safe.
9. Weather Mentioned earlier - the weather has a massive effect on location shoots, you might want a particular type of light for your shoot that meets your creative intentions if the light isn't right, explain what you'll do to deal with the light being not quite what you want.
10. Problems Look back at all of the things you've considered and detailed in your plan and identify where any problems might arise. Then suggest what you'll do if the problem arises (Contingency planning - back-up plan).
In addition use the "On the day" checklist that is on Teams in the 'Files' section. Print this off and show that you've actually used it e.g. put ticks against the checks, scan that and put into your design sheet.
Typically the things that you should detail in your plan...
- Your idea/intention - outline of what you're going to do/learn
- Describe the potential operational context of the shoot
- When you plan to shoot.(You can include a weather report if shooting on location outside).
- Where you're shooting the pictures.
- What camera you'll be using. (You can use images)
- What media your using.
- What focal length you'll be using.
- Whether you'll experiment with different focal lengths or change lenses.
- What kind of lighting you'll be using - soft, harsh, diffuse, point etc.
- If your copying someone's lighting techniques say who's.
- Who your model will be.
- Whether you're using tripods, reflectors, or any other equipment.
- Who your assistant will be.
- What you're testing out.
- Transport details
- Details about emptying SD cards - charging batteries.
- Contingency (Back up) plan in the event of any changes - models/light/weather
- When you intent to have films processed by and the work in your design sheet.
- Any H&S issues and how you will address them.
- Problems you'll potentially encounter and methods to resolve them
Top Tip Copy the bullet pointed list above and paste directly into your design sheet. Then write up your plan in response to these prompts and delete the prompts as you go.
