Glass Products

Set up the product table to capture images of glass products using the light box as the underneath light and experimented with various setting on the Speedlite flash.

Whilst I find the effects with the colours and bands of grey etc very pleasing I do not think this is the best solution. I think I will need another light source that is more controllable than a light box. I will seek some advice and guidance on how to achieve a more bright and white background. On each of these images I have upped the brightness to a factor of 30 - otherwise they are straight out of the camera.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Desktop Product Table

Whilst I was away in Paris FedEx tried to deliver a parcel. Fingers crossed it's the table top product studio.

Went over to Burntwood on way to a gig in Wolverhampton to collect it. It was in a surprisingly enormous box, thought this was going to portable and easy to carry.

Thankfully it was in a smaller box inside the huge box, I modified this box to create handles and make it easy to carry. I will be putting it through its paces on Wednesday when I will have an assistant to help and talk through ideas with.

Product table set up using a light box to illuminate the underneath

As I only have one speedlite flash and I need that to create shadows and light on the surface of the products, I decided to think about a different source of light for underneath the product table thereby illuminating the products on the table in a pleasing way - in particularly the glass. I used my light box to provide a soft even light.

I had tried a spot light earlier in the week but this only produced a very narrow point of light and not what I was after.

Whilst amusing the spot light was not suitable for illuminating the underneath of the table

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Marketing

Following on from my blog about my 'marketing idea' this weekend I have been creating the Gift Card after speaking to my Graphic Designer.
I want to start promoting this service in preparation for Christmas. I need the card to be available from this week and so it needed producing this weekend so it will be ready for a meeting on Thursday. I will be selling this at my network meetings over the next 6 weeks.

Please see Camera Appreciation for more information.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Epic fail

At last something I wanted to do that didn't work. This is great because I have learnt so much from it. I now have a better idea of where I want to go with this idea and will think through how best to achieve what I want.

The set up I wanted was an over-exposed image of two hands. What I got was beautifully sharp images of two hands. The reason for it failing was due to light - a dull and rainy day and the light was fading when my models were available. This meant I was unable to get the bright light behind their hands.

Looking through the images again I shouldn't be quite so disappointed. There is potential with the images I captured. I might be tempted to try a few tweaks in photoshop and see what I can do before I organise a reshoot with my models and get what I had in mind.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Influences

I have been spending time considering where my creative influences flow from:

Architecture - Stirling Prize

Photographers - Corbijn

Art - Rothko

Fauvism

Photographers - Paolo

Modernism

Photographers - Carl

Art

Follow the links to find out more

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Models

Today I shot Rheanne.

We had beautiful weather and a wood close to her house to explore. I went out with these images in my head: 

I am not sure who the artists are because I am using a new piece of software to view some downloaded images, lectures and papers and I cannot quite work out how it references the work.

I spent an hour in the woods setting up 4 different settings, using two different lenses (24-105mm and 50mm f1.8) along with flash and reflector as necessary. Captured the following:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Client I - Personal Trainer

Brief:

My personal trainer often updates her website with training and instructional videos. She asked me for a suitable location in the Moira area for her to shot the video. I gave her a list of many - one of which was Moira Furnace - which is the one she chose.

Set-up:

I needed to capture images of her for use on her website along with images of her being filmed to be used on the DVD packing and also on the website.

The Shoot:

This was great fun. The weather was flat and grey - perfect for me but not the video maker.

Invoice and Delivery:

The most suitable images have been processed and burned to CD and posted to her along with an invoice and a covering letter. In the covering letter I send to my clients I explain the license and usage of the images along with copyright and what they are paying for.

Issues:

The CD had somehow corrupted itself and so she was unable to use the images. I burned the images instead to a DVD. I find DVDs to be less flaky.

Feedback:

I really enjoyed this shoot and am hoping to do even more for her in the future. She loves the images and is already using them on her website.

Images:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Products and props

Whilst speaking to my client about the glass bottles of oil that I will be photographing soon I suggested that we use props to enhance the image. For example: if we are photographing a bottle of lavender oil then we should also have a sprig of lavender alongside it.

To this end I thought I would have a look at what other photographers say about using fresh herbs/plants in product shots. Here's a review from the natural beauty workshop:

"Using fresh ingredients such as herbs, plants, fruits as props can easily enhance product photos. Make sure to pick your props carefully, looking for the freshest, most brightly coloured specimens, being careful to avoid any bruised or over ripened fruits.
Make sure to keep your fresh props well stored if not used straight away. They can be rejuvenated prior to the shoot by being dipped in a quick bath of cool water. Allow any leaves or steams to soak up plenty of water before removing them. Drain on a clean towel and gently dab to dry. This will also help the fruits and greenery to appear as fresh and colourful as possible."

Found a product photography studio based in Cumbria - 2nd Image Photography. I particularly like this delightful image captured for the Sedburgh Soap Company.

I like that they haven't gone for a high key finish on this shot probably because of one of the products is white. The shadows add something and reinforce the vertical positioning of the soap. The droplets of water are a touch of genius - after all you only use soap with water. I like this style.

Here it is being used in the company brochure:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Leads - product and at work shots

Have made plans to work with Vibrant Life Aromatherapy to provide them with a set of stock images for use on their website, on printed materials, in presentations and for business cards.

The set of images will include:

• product shots of oils
• oil preparation
• oil use
• treatments
• equipment
• people

This will provide me with a good photography workout as I will be using many different skills and techniques. We will be getting together within the next month to work on these ideas. I will be buying a desktop product table to photograph the oils in glass bowls and bottles.

Calumet Desktop Product Table £56

To assist in producing images similar to these:

When it arrives I shall start practising.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Philanthropy

My very dear friend lost her brother last week. To honour his memory and the struggles he had in life she is planning on setting up a group that offers art to people with mental health issues.

Her brother got a lot out of producing his art and poems and so she wants to do this in his memory. I will be helping her with this.

It is very much at the ideas stage at the moment and there is a lot of work that needs doing to see how it is going to work and what form it takes. I will be involved with it as much or as little as she requires. But I can see this as being a truly rewarding project even if my involvement is limited to making tea and tidying up.

Whatever I do it will be an honour to be involved.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tilt and Shift

Have started experimenting - see here.

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Leads - products - jewellry

At a network meeting on Wednesday evening I found an artist whose ideology, passion and products where of interest to me. We discussed ways of working together. She is preparing a funding package and needs shots for it but I cannot help her with this urgent project but we have made plans for the future.

Anna is a contemporary jeweller creating beauty out of recycled plastic bags and cans. She has won numerous awards and recently returned to the UK to launch new products.

Anna displays her work at The Making House where she runs workshops and offers gallery space. I am very interested in this as I would like to find a way of exhibiting my work and so will make every effort to visit her with an artist friend of mine to find out more.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Model

Went to see my fashion model today to check her availability. We have planned a shoot during her week off school. I now need to find out when my make up artist friend is available that week and we can go and shoot and have some fun.

I am really looking forward to it, and so is the model, even though she is a little nervous.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Client G - bouncing children

Brief:
Local fitness trainer, that I meet at network meetings, held a Bounce-a-thon at a school in Loughborough. She asked if I would pop along for half an hour to capture her and the children at the end of the event. These images will be used by her PR company to accompany a press release. As well as on her website to show her diversity.
Set-up:

Had wrongly assumed that they would be outside - but they were in the school Assembly Hall. Good job I took camera bag with ALL equipment.

The Shoot:

This was great fun. My client had organised model release forms as she needed parental consent. Once the children had been identified I could photograph those children only.

Invoice and Delivery:

The most suitable images have been processed and burned to CD ready to be delivered. I have emailed some that will be suitable to accompany the press release and she will choose her favourite. Client paid on the day.

Issues:

The light was awful in the Assembly Hall and as the room was big I had trouble with flash bouncing off walls - they were too far away to help me. As the children were bouncing (the whole point of the event)  there is a lot of motion blur. But I prefer that as this is a movement and activity event. Also I feel that my preferred option of shooting with shallow depth of field (a favourite of mine) is not good for this.
Feedback:

I really enjoyed this shoot and will be doing more for her in the future. She loves the images, has passed her favourites to the PR company and the others will be used on website and in promotional material.

Images:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Research

Got a bit of inspiration,
picked up on some research,
need some ideas on how to tackle it technically.
see this

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Lighting and Strobist Photography

Have had a look through the book Graham lent to me 'The Hot Shoe Diaries - Big Light from Small Flashes' by Joe McNally and would like to be able to recreate images like this with off-camera flash:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Voluntary Service

Have had contact with people at the Voluntary Service who are planning their work for the next report they need to produce. They have decided to be more proactive and organised and have said they will be in touch in the next month to ask me to go back to photograph all staff individually this time.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Client H - Voluntary Service

Brief:

A contact at one of my network meetings asked if I would be willing to do some group shots of the team at East Staffs CVS. A design format was discussed and I came up with ideas for the shoot which they liked.

Shoot:

Difficult to deal with this many people - particularly when some of them do not want to be photographed. However persevere I must. I tried 3 different set ups with the team and hope that the designer will have one that matches their layout.

Delivery and Invoice:

Processed the most suitable images and prepared an invoice charging for the absolute minimum amount and delivered the CD to the Reception along with my invoice and covering letter.

Feedback:

They loved the images and are using them in their latest brochure, on exhibition material and in their annual report.

Images:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Leads

Today I have received two emails. One asking me to photograph a bounce-a-thon taking place in a school on Thursday morning and another asking me to quote for a wedding in 2013.

Interesting diversity.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Models

Whilst networking I have been asking if anyone is interested in portrait shots - this is for two reasons:

1. I wish to boost the number of portraits I have in my portfolio
2. I wish to investigate fashion photography as I have been asked to photograph a new fashion designers range of clothes.

I met the mother of this young lady this week:

Image supplied by model

Image supplied by model

I want to start working collaboratively with a make up artist I have met through networking on this project. We are planning the shoot for when she has returned from Ireland and I am back from Paris and the model is off school.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Marketing ideas

GIFT CARD

As I am tightening up how I deliver my networking pitches I am also thinking about what I show to my audience and what offer I am making. I decided on an idea about gift vouchers because I am often asked about delivering training - here are some of the things I am asked:

"My husband bought a camera but he never uses it cos I don't think he understands all the buttons."

"I'm going to buy my mum a camera can you teach her about photography so she gets the best from it."

"My daughter is going to study Art and part of that is photography can you see if she is talented."

"I have loads of images on my computer
but I don't know what to do with them."

If I can have a 'gift card' prepared then in future when I am asked this I can pull a card out of my bag and sell it to them. Also as the holiday season approaches people will be looking for unusual and unique gifts. I like the idea of having the money up front - out of their pockets and into my bank account - that sounds good to me. Then I can take the time to enjoy getting someone interested in photography, inspiring them and helping them enjoy creating images.

I created a visual for this idea which I am about to go and discuss with my graphic designer to see what the best way to tackle this will be.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Leads

NETWORKING:
I have had a very busy week networking and training. These have been to help refine my offer and to work on my self-promotion. I have become more focussed in my 60 second pitches now and am going to ensure I make one offer per presentation and have been preparing an action plan to make sure I do things in a timely manner (ie holidays/festivals).

LEAD GENERATION:
In the meantime I have been generating leads this week and here is a summary:

• Request for framed copies of my images
• Creation of a photo book
• Group Portrait (3 men)
• Photograph cakes (Ashby)
• Photograph client in action
• Photograph products
• 121 training
• Work with marketing clients
• Collaborative work with party planner
• Work with make-up artist
• Family Portrait
• Photograph cakes (Hinckley)

MODEL REQUESTS:
I have had 3 offers for my request for models for a number of projects and I am pursuing those.

INSURANCE COVER:
Finally sorted my liability insurance with a local insurance broker and will discuss indemnity and equipment cover in June.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Client F - At Work

Brief:

Capture client in action giving her personal development training at one of her monthly meetings. 

Extra information:

Meetings take place at a Hotel in Ashby. Contacted Hotel to ensure they have no problems with me photographing at their premises. Knowing that many many weddings are held there and this will be in a function room privately hired - I knew this would not be a problem- but always best to check.

Equipment:

I took my Canon 5D and Speedlite flash as the event was to be held indoors.

Shoot:

This was going to be tricky as it was in the evening and the room would be either lit by overhead lights or the light from the projector. I insisted that the client explain to her audience why I was there and what I was doing. She wanted me to capture some of the audience but I felt this was inappropriate as they had not agreed to this and I did not want to go around asking for model release forms to be signed. Any audience shots I captured from behind so they are not recognisable.

Issues:

The room was lit by candle light and the light from the projector she was using which made for incredibly difficult lighting conditions. I ensured the flash was bouncing off white surfaces so that some detail was captured. This made for awkward shooting conditions. One member of the audience was bothered by the flash and at that point I left.

Delivery and Payment:

I processed the images I considered suitable and burned those to CD and posted them along with an invoice and a covering letter. I received an email thanking me and saying that she would bring a cheque to our next meeting (which is in two weeks).

Images:

Here are a couple that I like:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Possible sales

Had a meeting in Market Bosworth and discovered a Gallery exhibiting paintings by local artists. I was interested to find out how much people were selling their work for and the way they  presented it. The pieces of art where - charcoal, watercolour and oils - sadly no photography. But it was an interesting chance to contrast and compare. 

Market Harborough - with thanks to www.webbaviation.co.uk

This might present an opportunity for me - an avenue to sell my prints. I have seen a course available at Ferrers Centre - called Marketing for Makers. I am very interested in attending this course as I think it will give me better ideas on the correct value of my work. The courses run in April, June and September and run for one day at a cost of £95. I shall be signing up for the April course. When I have a better idea of how to value my work I may go back to Market Bosworth Gallery to see if they would like to exhibit/sell my work.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Research, inspiration and influences

To see work that inspires me, to see how my research influences my work, to see the galleries, museums and art exhibitions I visit, and to see how my assignment work, my work for clients and my personal projects progress please visit my main blog.

This blog is simply to meet the brief for the module about generating business and responding to clients. It is not my main blog. I will not be posting information on my main 'client facing' blog onto here. And vice-versa I would be horrified if this 'module' blog was somehow linked to my website or found by my clients. In fact, I along with a number of other students, who are finding paid work for this module and are proceeding into professional paid work would rather it was somehow only visible to those of us on the course and no further for obvious client sensitivity reasons.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

advertisement

Old Skills:

Have decided to take out an advertisement in a local magazine circulated to mums with children between the ages of 0 to 5 years old. I have enjoyed taking photographs of babies and children recently so I thought I would offer my skills and services more widely.

Now I need to design an advertisement to sell my services. I have done this so many times for other people - but never for myself. Weird how hard it is to get it correct. Have enlisted the services of my wonderful friend and brilliant graphic designer Redroo Creatives to develop my scribblings into a concept that I can work with.

Upon Reflection:
The reason for the need to take out this advertisement was because of a mis-communication between the owner of the magazine and myself. She thought I was supplying photography for a mention in the magazine. I thought I was supplying photography for her to purchase and use in the magazine. To sort this out she has offered a free quarter page advertisement and editorial and I have agreed to cancel the invoice. I have ensured that both the text and advertisement are targeted at the audience that reads the magazine.

I have learnt a seriously good lesson here and that is never to start working without someone first agreeing to the prices, either verbally, in email or responding to a prepared quote.

However, if her readership is far reaching and interested I may make more money than I was charging her - I shall report back.

Will post the advertisement when I am happy with it.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Client E - archaeology dig

Client asked me to accompany a film maker to capture images of an archaeological dig in Ashby. Unfortunately I cannot show you dig images until after the county archaeologist has seen the evidence and after the planning application has been submitted - until then the images are embargoed.

I can, however, show you a images of the Museum representative and the film maker.

Mark and Adam

Adam and Mark prepare a piece to camera outside St Helen's Church

I will not be charging for this work as I appreciate this is about history and about supporting my local Museum. I am however working closely - via the Arts and Sculpture Group - with the Museum and we are planning on contacting the Arts Council, Coalfields Regeneration Trust and a variety of other sources for funding for a number of projects we have in mind. I can see uncharged work done now will reap rewards in the future.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .