Client C - nhs

Brief:

Brief was to show up at Branston Pavilion at Branston Golf Club and meet the Printing and Photography Manager of the NHS Trust for Burton. There I would have an introductory chat with him and have the chance to photograph an event they were holding before their AGM.

Extra information:

Arranged to visit Alan with my images after the event - there he would be able to give me feedback, show me around the hospital, talk about the different types of photography they need and discuss any employment opportunities.

Equipment:

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

Shoot:

I don't enjoy PR and Event photography when I am not very well briefed. Also as I am not getting paid I do not feel I HAVE to get THE shot in the bag. As I was walking around however a couple of the stall holders asked if could I photograph them and send them the images for their work newsletter. As this was a freebie all round I said yes why not! When I sent the images I did insist that they make mention of me and put my web address next to the images.

Issues:

None except my feelings about doing this with people watching!

Images:

Here are a couple that I like:

Derbyshire Link

Clive, RSM Tenon

NAK - Newhall Art Kollective

Client feedback:

My images were liked and we discussed how they could be used, the different uses if cropped differently and the technical issues I had had. Very useful. I also had feedback about my website saying it was very good, professional, with some lovely images. He even said he might have some of the abstract images for the hospital. Well that was tremendous and not what I was expecting.

There is going to be the opportunity to do some portrait work for their staff awards. I am looking forward to that.

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Shooting children

Things I have learnt whilst shooting children:

1. Prepare but not over prepare.

I ensure I am prepared to work in any weather. I have ideas for all weather situations and often work on the hoof as new ideas and inspiration presents itself.

2. Don't worry about equipment.

I set up my equipment before I leave the house. Choosing suitable ISO, AWB, jpeg and RAW, and multi pattern metering as I will have in mind what I am after. I don't want to be worrying about my camera - I want to be chatting to the child when I arrive.

3. Engage with the child.

This is important because they will not smile, and they will look away if you have not got their attention. Make them feel special. I do all this long before I get the camera out.

4. Pick my spot.

Backgrounds and clutter are a worry and a distraction. I generally shot with a very shallow depth of field to blur the background, but this cannot always be the case so I choose my spot carefully.

5. Get the light right.

I sometimes use flash but much prefer natural light and position children near a window or under a tree. I avoid direct and bright sunlight because it makes the children squint.

6. Clothes.

Depending on the reason for the shoot I sometimes ask for the child to have a change of clothes or a different coat.

7. Keep it short and sweet.

Children have a short attention span so I try not to wear them out or bore them. Sweets sometimes help, but you need permission from parents to hand out sweets, especially to littlies.

8. Don't panic about the weather.

Rain can result in interesting images and I never worry if it is raining. I have wet weather kit in my camera bag. Brollies are good fun for children and puddles even more so.

9. Help.

Sometimes help is required. Holding a reflector, this can be done by an older brother or sister who feel special because they are helping. Getting a child to look towards the camera, a parent standing behind you can help.

10. Composition.

Knowing what the shot is going to be used for helps me decide how to compose the shot. I will usually take a shot with more than one option eg child on left of shot and also on right - rarely centred.

With these points in mind I find I have a successful shooting experience, leave happy children and lovely images in the bag.

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Client B - Lots for Tots Brief

Brief:

Brief from the client for this work is as follows:

"I need two shots of 0-5 year olds with or without their parent for the October-December magazine. I need an image for each of the magazines (Derbyshire South and Burton & Ashby). They don't have to be two different children just doing two different things. I think the closer the shot the better. The focus needs to be slightly off centre so the text can run down the side (it doesn't matter which side), plus you need some space around the focus as the photo needs to fill behind the header & footer. I very much look forward to seeing what the outcome is! The deadline for the magazines are 30th September. Please take a look at previous front covers on my website."

Extra information:

A telephone conversation also revealed that last year she had used children playing in autumn leaves being thrown into the air. It needs to be autumnal and the children have to be all wrapped up - not christmasy and not too wintry. Playing with parents indoors or outdoors is OK or even being cosy in front of the fire.

Models:

I decided to source models for myself. Approached members of my networking group and will be using Ashley. I will ensure that her father signs the model release form.

Equipment:

I will be using Canon 5D with Speedlite flash. Anything more will be too cumbersome as I want Ashley to be freely running around and having fun - so I need to be as mobile as I can be. This will not be a static studio set up.

Shoot:

I also have four different set ups for her to choose from. If I was shooting again I think I would have put the flash on. In fact I think I would have taken another camera body with the 50mm lens on.

Issues:

Boy do children move about quickly. I have a high ISO and a fast shutter speed but still some of the images have motion blur. However there were enough interesting images for me to pass to my client.

Images:

I am going to give the client the option of 4 different activities and then she can chose which she prefers. Being mindful of how her front page works and where the mast head, footers and lead articles sit I have chosen these as the ones I think meet the brief - however I am sending more that I processed in case there is one that suits her more.

Ashley gardening

Ashley cycling

Ashley clearing the leaves

Ashley playing with Play Doh

This does not fit the client brief but I will like it and perhaps her parents will

Invoice and Client feedback:

Invoice was raised and posted along with the CD of high resolution images. I send 4 low resolution images with an email to my client to give her a taste of what was coming. I posted the invoice with a covering letter and the CD first class to her.
In the meantime I received a response from my email:

"Thank you- the photos are fabulous!! The 2 I am instantly drawn to are the leaves & the bike ones. They have the room to the side & the top to fit perfectly & they are great for the season, thank you so very much!"

Job well done I think.

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Client A - resize image

Nice trip out today to deliver a job to my client 'A'.

Background:

He had asked me if I could take his favourite image of the ski resort he visits every year and double its size to 4ft wide. His plan was to frame it and hang it over his fireplace. He had been to see a number of printers and photographers with this problem and no-one had said they could help him. I asked him to give me his image and leave it with me.

Challenge:

When I got the image home I realised that it was approximately the length of two A4 sheets of paper (around 60cm). This meant I would be able to scan it on my A4 scanner and stitch the two images  together in photoshop.

Quote:

I worked out how much this might cost. I had to work out how long it would take me and apply my hourly rate to that; account for the mileage I had incurred and would also incur; find out the most effective and cost-effective way to get this huge image printed. I prepared a quote and sent it to him - he approved it. 

Process:

This was a very tricky process and I gave it a lot of care and attention, whilst not over-running the time I had quoted. Burton and South Derbyshire College shop was my preferred supplier for the print and I negotiated with them how to prepare the image and when they could do it. It took a week for the print to be ready but my client was on holiday - so there was no rush.

Delivery:

Today he was back from his holiday and back to work and we met half way up the M1.

Future Work:

He drove home happy asking if he wanted it bigger could I do it. I said 'Yes, of course'.

Payment:

I drove home with a back pocket full of £20 notes and the possibility of producing another print for him.

Image:

Les Carroz

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Labels

"You know how to whistle Steve,

just put your lips together and blow".

Humph the Bogart

Labelling for blog entries:
Professional and Contextual Studies
PCS:LO-01. planning events and issues surrounding that.
PCS:LO-02. communication methods when planning.
PCS:LO-03. industry guidelines when planning.
Creativity and Social Context
CSC:LO-01. research of media industry.
CSC:LO-02. key movements and influences.
CSC:LO-03. cultural inheritance and creativity.
CSC:LO-04. talk about your work to your client.

Not sure how I will organise this as the marking criteria is always a bit like quadrilateral equations. But have assigned a meaning based on the learning outcome tables to try and make it smoother. I think one blog entry my cover off many learning outcomes - anyway - I shall give it a go. Knowing me I'll probably add the labels in hindsight. Might be easier that way.

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