Criteria 2

Understand when a location is suitable for photography

2.1 - Describe when a location is suitable for photography.

For a location to be suitable for a photography project it needs to fit in with the style or theme that you are trying to create. It needs to add to the story that is being told through the images and it needs to be interesting enough to attract attention but not to extravagant that it takes away from the main focus of the photograph. According to (Ref Five) “Simplistic areas tend to work the best for locations spots. These areas should have a simple theme or feel about them that complement your subject rather than pull away from them.” The location also needs to be accessible, if you are carrying equipment or if you have a model walking in high heels the location needs to have accessible walk ways and areas that you can easily set up the shoot in, rather than somewhere out of the way, for example up a mountain. It also needs to be somewhere that you have signal for devices, for example if a model cannot find the location I might need to ring her. The location needs to be a place that offers many different areas to take differently composed photos, according to (Ref Five) “An area that you believe would work well for location photography, should contain multiple areas that you can shoot at, all within the same general area.” When picking a location to photograph in health and safety is also something that must be considered, especially if models are being brought into the area. It must be safe for others to enter or someone could end up getting hurt, permission should also be obtained if entering private areas or someone could get into trouble. When picking location the weather must be considered, so the chosen location must either be somewhere that offers areas where the weather will not interfere with the images, bridges, pavilions etc. or be near somewhere that if the weather does change a Plan B can be carried out, have a barn nearby etc. The weather could also interfere with equipment and/or the model if it’s blowing her hair around, so an area that has somewhere with walls/building so that there’s shelter from the wind would be better. The sun is a massive issue too as if the full sun comes out it is best to have a location with some shade to stop the subject becoming over exposed or from squinting from the bright light.

2.2 - Select suitable locations for photography for a given brief.

For Brief Four I have looked at three different locations that I feel will allow me to carry out the shoot in a safe area, that offers a range of spaces to photograph in and that I have permission to enter. For the shoot I will be photographing two models using smoke bombs with one model and throwing powder with the other model. One model will be going for a gothic look so I will be using the smoke bombs with her to add to the gothic look. The other model will be going for a festival bohemian theme with bright colours. So the locations need to suit both theme ideas and add to the style of them.

Beach

The beach would be a perfect place to photograph both styles as the beach is so versatile depending on what white balance you use when photographing it. If you add more blues and get it on a stormy day, the sky can look very dark and gothic, whilst the sea looks a dark grey colour. Alternatively on a nice day with the right settings the blue sky and bright yellow sand can add lots of bright colours and would add quite a lot to the bohemian style I wanted to capture. The beach is a very simplistic but yet an extremely beautiful backdrop to any photograph and I don’t feel that it would take anything away from the subject but it would definitely add to it. I think this location would really capture something different for the i-D Magazine because it’s something different and with the smoke bombs and throwing powder added in I feel it will create some really unique images.  It is a place that is easily accessed with plenty of parking and it is very easily found for anyone that I will need to attend the shoot. The beach offers lots of different places to photograph with the sea, sand, piers, rocks it offers many areas for different poses to be captured. I always find I have good signal at the beach with any of my devices so that if I need to contact my model or anyone else I will be able to. The beach is a flat and easy place to get to it is safe as it has to be for children to be allowed to play on it and it is a public place so I will be allowed to enter and photograph there. The beach offers many different areas, from buildings and the pier the provide shade/shelter for if it is raining/windy/sunny.

below is St Anne's beach

Woods

The woods would be the perfect place to photograph both styles of photos as the woods can add two very different types of atmosphere. The woods can either add an eerie gothic vibe with the right settings and manipulating, especially with the smoke bombs, or it can be brightened up and add a very girly woodland/fairy style to the images which would match perfectly with the bohemian theme. The woods add a very simple backdrop but also add a lot of colour and interest to images there; the trees add shade from the sun which can also add different ways in which the light can be used to create eye catching photos. I think this location would fit in well with the abstract style that the i-D Magazine images have, because it’s out in the countryside where as many high street fashion photographers chose the streets as the backdrop for their images. There are many wooded areas where I live and all are very accessible and easy to get to for anyone and they also have signal, this would mean it would be easy for the models and anyone else involved to find the wood, walk around the area and to contact. The woods have many different areas and different set up places with, trees, rocks, fences, walls that will all add different poses and compositions. The only health and safety issue I can think of would be to be careful of tripping over any twigs or branches but as long as everyone involved understands this and is careful I don’t see that there would be any problem with health and safety. The woods also add plenty of shelter, with the canopy of leaves, from the sun or wind. I would need to find somewhere else if it started raining or check the weather to make sure I arranged for a day where the weather forecast predicted no rain.  

below is Hurstwood

Abandoned Building

An abandoned building would add so much style to my photographs, and definitely tell a story. Abandoned buildings are so interested and have such a story to tell. It would also add to either style as it could provide a gothic abandoned creepy backdrop to my gothic style photographs, or it could add a whimsical secret place to go to be alone, especially if the trees were in view from the windows. It would provide a very interesting backdrop to my images and I don’t think it would take the attention away from the main subject, I feel it would only add more to the story of the images being created. I think this location would look perfect for the i-D Magazine because it has that urban unique style that the images the magazine seem to have on their website. I have Huncoat Power Station in mind for this particular location and it isn’t very easy to access but I have spoken with the model and she is happy to go to the place. It would provide many different angles to photograph as the building is covered in graffiti and has many different rooms, windows, doorways and stairways to pose in or against. Another issue with this location is health and safety as the area has been abandoned it is classed as dangerous and there is not permission for people to access it. I could either gain permission by contacting the people that are now in charge of the building or I could contact the model and ask if she would be happy to enter the building, which I have done as I know her and she is happy to. The area would also provide the perfect location for any weather as it is indoors it is sheltered from rain, wind and the sun. The only issue I could see is if it is an extremely dull day it may be too dark inside so I would need to arrange the shoot for a sunny bright day.

Below is Huncoat Power Station

2.3 - Carry out a risk assessment for the selected location.

2.4 - Obtain any necessary permissions.

For the assignment I am planning on photographing two models in Hurstwood woods, using smoke bombs and throwing powder, this means that I will need permission off the person who owns the land to be able to let off the smoke bombs and throw the coloured powder there. I will also need to get both models to sign a model release form so that I have their permission to use the image that I capture where I need to.