Week 8. Why Rip Curl should Hire Me.

My Capabilities 

Before becoming a full time photography student, I worked in marketing and advertising across both the government and private sector. I worked in a number of larger advertising agencies and have firsthand experience when it comes to managing advertising campaign and meeting client expectations. 

Throughout the first year of the degree I have gained valuable technical skills, knowledge and experience in applying photographic techniques. I have a strong understanding of the principles of depth of field and how to apply this creatively, the capability to correctly expose an image using both ambient and studio light. I understand and can apply basic colour management theory to images across different lighting scenarios from tungsten, fluorescent, daylight through to flash and cloudy ambient light. I understand the principals of composition and how this can be used creatively to draw the eye. I also understand that lens selection play an important part in the overall final result of how an image looks. 

My understanding and experience in applying the base principals of photography together with my career in advertising give me confidence in my capability to successfully complete the project.  The c confidence I have in my technical abilities allows me to think more creatively when approaching individual set ups, shots, and the post production of each image required. 

My career in the advertising industry and my hands on managing campaigns gives me the added a ability required to produce a cohesive series of images that flow together through subtle common theme threads 

Week 7. Requirements for the studio based images.

The studio based images are pretty easy when it come to logistical and any cost requirements. The studio is freely available to use and at no cost. So timing and costs are not a main consideration.

However in order to meet the assignment brief successfully I will need to think outside the square when it come to the set shot list. The images for the studio don't have to be products based and so I can use a combination of elements (lighting, props, camera) within the shot to create the overall feeling that Rip Curl implements into their advertising images.

The close up shot will be based on the impression and feeling that Rip Curl project, that being inner happiness, adventure, the sun, the surf and the beach. There will be no product as such used in this shot  but elements to give the impression of this feeling rather then a straight forward logical close up shot of a product.  I am also planning to use the Hassleblad to shoot this shot and will place with extension tubes on the 80mm lens to get a 1:1 ratio or very close to this.

• Blad camera
• 80mm lens
• extension tubes
• Flash light and LED spot lights
• tethered shooting
• Cost of props only 

For the camera movement shot I am planning on using a model and shooting a close up style portrait. I am planning on giving the impression of a young male or female surfer who has just come back from a session in the water. I am planning on using water and sand scattered across the models face as elements to tie these two together. I will then adjust the focal plane to move across the face to highlight these elements and the eyes. A small depth of field could be used so the effect of moving the focal plane through the image is a song create feature element rather then a technique. I envisage this image to be Black and white or very desaturated. A model release will need to be signed to ensure I have permission to use the images now and in the future.

• Free moving shot so no tripod
• Tilt Shift lens
• Flash light x 1 high to give the impression of the sun and shadows across the face also
• tethered shooting
• Cost of sand as a prop

For the Glass elements I am thinking of going with a slightly products based image here. I plane to set the shot up using the S table or just a simple table and white backdrop. I will source a blue tones backdrop - either paper, material or even a canvas that I can paint on to use as a backdrop to give the impression of the ocean in the background and somewhat in the foreground. The glass (a small round curved vase from the $2 shop) will be used as the glass elements. The vase will be lit in the traditional manner to allow the glass edges to be highlighted. However I am also going to fill the vase with water and dangle a bright orange watch in the water so that the message of the image is the Rip Curl watch is waterproof and can be warn by Surfers in the Surf. However I will need to take into consideration that the watch also will need to be correctly lit in order to see it, and how the flash will be reflected in the water and glass. I will need to take into consideration OH&S as I will be in a studio environment using water around flash units. So I will need to be careful. I will use my 7d camera for this shot with my 24 to 105 or borrow a larger 200 zoom lens. This will allow me to stand back but zoom in and compact the image and the background.

• Tripod
• Flash lights x 3 - 1 at left and right and 1 above/in front
• Stands and bar to tie and dangle watch from
• 7d camera
• 24-105 lens
• tethered shooting
• Cost of glass, watch backdrop/ props 

The crome or shiny object for the last shot is going to need some through and consideration, as Rip Curl do not produce any products that fir well into this catgory. One through is that a Silver/Chrome style watch could be used in this shot. However it would need to be shot very different to the glass based image that also features a watch. If I do go with the watch then it will be shot very similar to the below image and I will use natural elements such as wood or sand to tie it back to the Ocean theme.  This will involve a cost of purchasing a watch and then possibly returning. Or purchasing a cheap imitation wacth that will be passed off as the real thing. I will also need to source some natural raw materials such as drift wood and sand. I will use my 7d camera for this shot with my 24 to 105 This will allow me to stand relatively but zoom in and compact the image and the raw natural elements.

• tripod
• Flash light and possible spot lights/LED lights
• 24-105 lens
• tethered shooting
• Cost of a watch and props 

  

Week 6. Requirements for capture of location images.

 The location shot list will need some thought when it come to the logistics, any costs associated with travel, accommodation and equipment as well as the access required to proprieties and retail outlets in order to complete the folio.

As my Client is Rip Curl a predominantly surf style brand the landscape images will be coastal based and as such a trip to the local south coast to scout out locations and possibility coastal architecture will be on the cards. So I will need to plan for the costs of accommodation, travel, meals and any other cost I may incur when visiting national parks and the like.

I have a location in mind for the landscapes and the HDR image, however I will need to be careful as this requires a 20 minute walk through bushland and a scramble down a steep rocky outcrop to get to. However I feel it will be worth it as there are two rock formations here that form holes through to the ocean.

I will need assistance on this shot as a tripod and camera will need to be carried in and I will need to keep the time of day in mind as I do not want to be trekking out of here in the dark or even in fading light. So I will need to be here just after sunrise or just before sunset - leaving myself time to leave with day light.

The industrial shot will also need to be thought through in order to meet the industrial genre  with a Rip Curl theme. A local sports company in Canberra does sell and repair surfboards and board crafts so this is an easy option logistically - however I will need to scope out the location and see if its suitable and if the owners will allow a photoshoot.

The internal architectural shot  makes the most sense to use for  balancing of daylight and flash, however I would much prefer to use speed lights for this. A suitable location also needs to be sourced and permission to shoot gained This will need some lead time in order to organise and also set a shoot date. lens choice will also be important in this as a wide angle will get more into the shot - however can create distortion so a fine line will need to be drawn on how wide to go.

http://www.atoutriggersmollymook.com.au/index.html - Outriggers at Mollymook is a modern style apartment but very coastal and relaxed inside. The apartments are split tri level but each level is open and linked through open walkways and bathed in natural light. This would be a great option for an interior shot using some flash light to highlight area's.

There will be a cost of around $420 to book the apartment for a two night stay (minimum of two nights on weekends). There will also be a cost for the petrol to get down to Mollymook. I also want to hire a few surfboards to take some landscape based shots and to also use as props in the interior and exterior shots to tie them into the Rip Curl theme. My lucky Husband will be the lucky model, however I plan to shot the exterior shot as seen below with a slow shutter and have him and myself walking through the shot with surfboards. This will give the image some movement and life to the image, however I faces will not be visible.

1 x landscape	Each location image will meet the prescribed shot list by using locations that embody the Rip Curl brand. Locations will be mostly coastal based and will require planning and travel. Images will need to be technically well exposed, composed and exposed by combating issues faced in each location. Landscape shots could be stitched panoramas of a coastal setting and could also feature a silhouette surfer and board.  Architecture shots could be both the interior and exterior of a coast home, or wave inspired building. It could also be the interior and exterior of a surf shop. HDR image could be applied to Exterior Architecture shots. Or landscapes images Industrial image could be of a surfboard manufacturing outlet. This could also be a close up shot of a surfer – surfing a wave needs to explored more. Industrial and interior architecture shots can be taken using ambient and flash lighting.
1 x Architectural interior
1 x Architectural exterior
1 x Industrial image
2 x using any of the above categories NOTE: At least 1 image must be stitched using a minimum of 3 images. At least 1 image must use HDR techniques and at least 1 image must be shot balancing ambient light with flash light.