The Recce (Photographs at the studio)

Before going to the studio to take my photographs, I filled out a recce to make sure I had considered everything: 

the ‘recce’

Provide answers in paragraph form to the questions below that

are relevant to your production.

1.      Are there any potential hazards that could pose a health and safety risk where your photo shoot will take place (trailing cables/traffic/other objects)?
I am shooting a photography studio so there will be no potential hazards. The only thing that may be hazardous that I can think of is the wires and cables that will be present because of the lighting and camera. I’m assuming that these kinds of potential obstacles will be taken care of by the technician, but I will make sure that I do not put my actors at risk at any point.

2.      What will you do to ensure these risks are minimised? I will make sure that before I start taking photos that there are no hazards or obstacles in the way and that there are no chances of danger. I may go to the studio earlier than the time I have given my actress to make sure.

3.      Will the time of day/weather affect the outcome of the photos? Have you allowed for this? The time of day and weather will not affect my photos as I am shooting them inside so this is not a thing I have to consider when taking my photos.

4.        Have you considered the background to your photos, particularly if taken outside? How will you ensure you will get the background you want? I don’t particularly want a background on my photo because for my poster, I would prefer to just add my own and use a dark colour. I think this will be more fitting to my style and genre. If I was to want to add a background when it comes to editing it, then I will be able to because I’m shooting in front of a white backdrop, therefore I can just cut out my actress and place her into my own background that I can take a photo of at a later date.

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? I don’t want to use natural lighting because I don’t think I will achieve the look I am looking for. So, I think I will be using a lot of high key lighting, but also light to cause shadows, possibly on the face. I think this will suit the style better than natural.

6.      Do you need permission to take photos in the place/venue you have in mind? I do need permission as I’m hoping to use a photography studio at the local university. I am going to email the technician and ask for his permission beforehand.

7.      Do you need to book time in a room As I said before, I need to book the studio. To do this, I will email the technician who works there and arrange a time that suits everybody.

8.      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 and other people won’t be an issue because of the fact I’m shooting in a closed in, private studio. I would prefer to arrange a time when the university is closed/no lectures are taking place so that it minimizes the risk of interruptions from students needing to use the studio/needing the technicians help.

9.      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 have made my own props, like the letter, so that I don’t have to rely on anybody else. I wanted a wedding dress so I have been able to get one from a family friend in advance, so that I know I have it before I go to the studio- again, so I don’t have to rely on anybody but myself. I am relying on the actress to get to the studio on her own at the right time but I am confident this will not be an issue.

10. Finally, have you thought of every eventuality…? I am confident that I have thought of everything and planned everything out beforehand. I have made a list of possible poses and lighting ideas so that I am not going into the studio with no idea of what to do as this could waste time and I may not end up with as good photos as I would like.