Recce (Outdoor photo shoot)

1. Are there any potential hazards that could pose a health and safety risk where your photo shoot will take place?

My article images are being shot in the middle of a forest/woods, therefore there may be many potentential hazards that could take place. We will have to be aware of trip hazards; rocks, tree stumps etc. slippery floor if raining/had been raining previously and rubbish left behind by others; cans, wrappers etc. 

2. What will you do to ensure these risks are minimised?

Health and safety will be looked upon thoroughly when arriving at the specific area for the photo shoot to ensure that myself and my models are in a safe environment. I will check that the area used has no trip hazards etc, or that the natural hazards are made aware of. 

3. Will the time of day/weather affect the outcome of the photos? Have you allowed for this?

We will be going to the wood/forest during midday, therefore lighting shouldn't be a problem and I will use the natural sunlight to support my images. I will check the weather report before hand but hopefully the weather will be mildly dry and some sunlight to make sure the images are visible. I want the weather to be somewhat foggy/rainy as it will help with the autumnal weather theme throughout my magazine. Therefore if it is a sunny, warm day it will affect the outcome of the photos as it will look more summery than autumnal.  I have made my models aware of the weather needed, so they are willing to work in such weather conditions of needs be. 

4. Have you considered the background to your photos, particularly if taken outside? How will you ensure you will get the background you want?

To make sure I get the background I want, I will observe the forest and find the perfect miss-en-scene for my images. I am wanting the forest floor to be covered in leaves and have almost bare-leafed trees in the background. I think this will look very autumnal and go well with my models clothing. If I am unable to get the forest floor in leaves, I will try get my models to stand in between trees that are almost about to shed their leaves.

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?

Yes, I have considered lighting and I may have a problem with using the natural lighting outside. This is because of the weather is too cloudy etc it will block the sun and I will be unable to take images that will be seen. I already have a problem with the trees blocking the lighting but if there is anything else blocking the sunlight then this will affect my images greatly. If this happens I will have to see if using the flash will be better for my images or consider other lighting such as a torch etc. With being in a forest, there will be no objects that might spoil my images. 

6. Do you need permission to take photos in the place/venue you have in mind?

With my article images being taken outside, I will not need to get permission to take photos. 

7. Do you need to book time in a photography studio?

For my article images I don't want any of them to be shot in a studio so I don't need to book a time within a photography studio. 

8.  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 am reliant on my models as I need them to have specific look for my magazine and I need a model of either gender. We will be travelling by bus so have to make sure we check times and travel cost to enable we get to the location at the right time of day for there still to be natural light. One of my models are bringing the camera and tripod, therefore I need to ensure that he brings that otherwise I will have to result in using my own mobile; Causing my images to have poor quality. 

9. Are other people/crowds likely to be an issue for you? What have you done to ensure that it will not spoil the effect?   

Crowds probably won't be an issue as not many people use the woods during the day as many will be at work/in education. If there are any people in the woods, we will simply wait for them to move or we will move location in the woods.