Part 1 – Assignment 305 Photo Image Capture

First Point Photography
Portrait & Wedding Photography Assignment

Index Page

Part 1 – Assignment 305 Photo image capture * Assignment Composition * 10 Day Advanced Portrait and Wedding Photography Course * Introduction to assignment * Tasks * Introduction * Planning and Preparation.
Part 2 – Assignment 1 – “Fashion & Direct Portraiture” * Introduction * Statement of intent. * Research. * Risk Assessment. * Planning and Preparation. * Equipment List. * Final Images. * Images not selected.

Part 3 – Assignment 2 – “Waiting” * Introduction * Statement of intent. * Research. * Planning and Preparation. * Equipment List. * Final Images. * Images not selected.
Part 4 – * Conclusion * Referencing for the research
First Point Photography

Portrait & Wedding Photography Assignment

Part 1

Assignment 305 Photo image capture

* Assignment Composition * 10 Day Advanced Portrait and Wedding Photography Course * Introduction to assignment * Tasks * Introduction

Assignment Composition

Assignment 305 Photo image capture
Assignment composition

This assignment is based on Unit 305 of the Level 3 VRQs in Photo Imaging. It is made up of the following learning outcomes and tasks.

Learning outcome Task Evidence
1. Prepare and use 1a Folio of images x2 equipment effectively

2. Manage the imaging 1b Written account x2 process to achieve predetermined results

A pro forma is provided in the appendix that can be used to provide feedback to candidates.

10 Day Advanced Portrait and Wedding Photography Course
First Point Photography courses are intended for the experienced amateur who is looking to develop their hobby into a profitable business. The course is run over two weeks with a four week personal development period between them (this can be shorter or longer depending on the student’s ability and personal commitments) for students to practice and develop the skills they learnt on week 1.
On completion of week 2 students are required to produce a 10 image portfolio demonstrating the skills learnt. The images must show a good technical ability, demonstrating the skills learnt and as outlined in the portfolio criteria (see form FPP.034). Because each student has different abilities and personal commitments there is no time limit for the student to complete their final portfolios. Week 1(40 hours) | Personal Development Period 1(recommended 40 hours) | Week 2(40 hours) | Personal Development Period 2(recommended minimum 40 hours) | Week 1 runs from Monday to Friday (9am – 5pm) at First Point Photography’s studios For course syllabus and time table see forms FPP.007 and FPP.007a | We recommend a four week personal development period (this can be shorter or longer depending on the student’s ability) for students to practice and develop the skills they learnt on week 1 including: * Using a light meter and shooting on manual * Using fill-in flash both on and off the camera * Using a reflector * Using a diffuser * Difference perspectives * Selecting appropriate locationStudents should be creating images that are technically correct and pleasing to the clients and can be used towards their course portfolio.Support and feedback will be given to the students during this period by telephone, email or face to face. | Week 2 runs from Monday to Friday (9am – 5pm) at First Point Photography’s studios For course syllabus and time table see forms FPP.007 and FPP.007a | Students are required to produce two portfolios, each with a minimum of 10 images.Also required is a written account to support the portfolio. The portfolio can be a combination of images taken on week 1 and 2, as well as images taken during their development periods.At least 5 of the images must be from the personal development periods.Support and feedback will be given to the students during this period by telephone, email or face to face.An open door policy is applied so that any students that require further guidance can attend week 2 completely or partly as often as required. Because each student has different abilities and personal commitments there is no time limit for the student to complete their final portfolios. |

Introduction to Assignment

Assignment 305 Photo image capture

Introduction to assignment

This assignment provides the candidate the opportunity to show evidence of camera skills in professional applications.

Candidates are required to select two themes. For each theme candidates are required to:

1. Plan a photographic approach (the planning must be presented to the tutor/assessor who must agree the suitability of the subject/location/event to meet the task requirements.
Planning and preparation is key to the success of the candidates individual interpretation of the two themes selected for image capture and candidates should be encouraged to consider their interpretations carefully).

2. Use research material and produce a detailed plan.

3. Select and use appropriate equipment and materials.

4. Undertake the capture of images.

5. Produce a minimum of 10 images, which are thematic.

Tasks

Assignment 305 Photo image capture
Tasks

Task 1a) Produce a folio of images
Select two of the following themes and produce a minimum of 10 images on each theme:

1. Fashion and directed portraiture (examples are: formal and informal approaches)

2. Architectural interiors and exteriors (examples are: differing styles, decoration, details and features, industrial interiors)

3. Products (examples are: advertising and lifestyle approaches)

4. Urban and rural landscapes (examples are: social/environmental issues, changing seasons) 5. Social and documentary (examples are: social, national and local issues, socioeconomic issues, photo essay, hard news, reviews, sport, human interest, features, leaders, diary, advertorials, new releases)

6. An alternative assignment which must be agreed with the tutor/assessor and External
Verifier.

A thematic approach must be applied and the set of images must be related within the theme.

Each image must also stand on its own merits. Images can be provided on any form of media

A statement of intent should be produced for each selected theme and agreed with the tutor/assessor before undertaking the assignment. The statement of intent should include:

• The title of theme to be undertaken
• A brief statement as to the professional application of the photography to be undertaken
• References to stimulus material (the work of other photographers and other influences)
• An overview of the equipment and materials (media) to be used
• A brief explanation of techniques to be used and why
• A brief explanation of how lighting conditions can be used advantageously
• A brief assessment of risk and health and safety considerations.

A pro forma is included for the statement of intent which may be used.

Assignment 305 Photo image capture

Tasks

Task 1b) Supporting evidence for folio of images

Provide a written account for each folio of images which includes:

• The statement of intent

• Information on the research undertaken and influences (including details of the research material, subject/location/event, influences and intention/purpose of images)

• The preparation and planning undertaken (including reasons for equipment and materials selection, equipment and materials preparation, risk and health and safety considerations)

• How the equipment was used to capture images (including the method of image capture and operational procedures followed)

• Why the final images were selected (including how they relate to the professional application of the theme)

• Relevant documentation used

• Risk, health and safety, legal and ethical considerations.

Introduction
I have always had a passion for both photography and digital editing. I started many years ago, by editing images that had been taken by others. This lead me to wanting to take images for myself, I ended up doing less editing for others. Editing images staid as my passion for many years as I did not fully understand what I needed to take a good picture. I spent too much time editing the images I had taken as they were rarely taken correctly. I tried reading and learning online how to take good pictures but this did not help and I enrolled with First Point Photography on their Portrait and Wedding Photography Course split over two weeks.
Photography is an art and an individual’s interpretation of what they like. There are always those that like what they see and there are those that will not like what they see but they

maybe looking at the same image. That is why we are all different, we all have an opinion. I am asked what is my favorite image all the time and I answer the same every time “the picture I will take tomorrow” its my way of saying I am improving every day.

Planning and Preparation

When planning a photo shoot, the subject and concept are the first things that need to be considered. Before tacking even some of the most basic pictures, planning is required. There are many areas that need to look at prior to getting to pick up the camera and framing the subject. Some of these include; Locations – * What type of image are you trying to get. * Where would be the best place to get this image, be this in the studio or out on a location? * Out on location would mean some sort of recce, to establish just the right location to capture the perfect image. * What equipment would be required for the different locations a. Lighting / reflectors and associated equipment. b. Camera lenses and associated equipment. c. Waterproofing of equipment and subjects.

Type of image – * What is the concept that is trying to be captured? * Will it be a High or low key shoot, or any other type.

High key photography seeks to eliminate harsh shadows and create a bright environment. It is generally used to convey an upbeat, funny or beautiful subject but can be manipulated to communicate a number of moods and concepts.

Basic High-key setup.

low key lighting is a highly dramatic way of enhancing the contrast in an image. You can achieve this effect indoors with studio equipment or some ingenuity and outside at night in a dark area with a well-placed light source.

Basic Low-key setup

Equipment – Apart from the camera, memory cards and lenses what equipment would I need to take with me or set up in the studio? Here is a list of equipment, which I have used for my images.

* Canon EOS 60D * Lenses * Canon 50mm * Canon 18 – 55mm * Canon 24 – 70mm * Canon 70 – 200mm * Flash heads * Canon Speedlite 270EX * Canon Speedlite 580EXII * Studio lights * Remote triggers * Stands / Tripods * Reflectors * Light meter * Soft boxes * Snoots * Honeycombs * Barn doors * Colour gels * Filters * Props (toys, chairs, pillows etc..) * Back drops

Models – What models would be needed to achieve the correct look required Male, Female, adults or children. Would they need to have changes of clothing and how will they be getting to the location.

Travel – If on location, what would be the best way of getting all the equipment and models there, would I need to arrange for the models to meet me on location or would I need to brief them prior to getting to the location.

Cost – what costs will be encored, be it the models, parking or even location costs.

Safety – What safety implications could there be, what precautions would be needed to be taken?

Most of the preparation is done without thinking of it as it comes naturally. I have found to my cost that lack of preparation can cause hidden issues, which have cost not only time but also money. I now have a basic list, which I use every time I go out. This is not extensive but is a minimum check.

* Camera bag. * Canon EOS 60D camera * Lenses * Canon 50mm * Canon 18 – 55mm * Canon 24 – 70mm * Canon 70 – 200mm * Flashes * Canon 270 EX * Canon 580 EX II * Flash filters * Memory cards * Batteries (charged) * Cleaning equipment. * Light meter. * Remotes. * Tripods. * Waterproofs. * Any specific specialist equipment.