PRE PRODUCTION - 4.1

I don't feel that i was faced with any parameters or constraints which led to the original decisions made to change. The only think that has changed, but not affected the schedule or plan of the photo shoot was that my female model was unavailable on one of the dates but it didn't create any problems as i had a second female model that knows she will be available on that date. This is why it's good to have a couple of people in mind for each role because if one did become busy, you don't have to spend a lot of time thinking of another and making lots of calls.

PRE PRODUCTION - 3.5

By making my own sketches and notes that show how I will transform the clients brief into actual photos it keeps a content reminder of how the images need to look. When you are in the moment and taking lots of photos it is easy to go astray from the initial theme and feel so by referring back to my mind maps and storyboards I was able to stick to the clients brief throughout.


One type of software that I could have used on a computer to create the pre production documents is 'Moodshare'. This website allows you to find media, make and share multi-user mood boards faster than doing them by hand. If i had used this method to make my mood board i would have saved a lot of time and had clearer images to show my ideas and intentions. 

PRE PRODUCTION - 3.4

PRE PRODUCTION - 3.3

PRE PRODUCTION - 3.2

PRE PRODUCTION - 3.1

PRE PRODUCTION - 2.7

Here is the Risk Assessment form i created and will print out to sign and carry with me on every day the crew and i are on location.

Here is the release forms that i will give to all the actors/models that will be in my photos which they will sign on the day of the shoot and the release form for the cemetery and farm authorities to sign.

Here is the letter i wrote to the police to inform them of where i am going to take my photos and that I may be using real knives.

PRE PRODUCTION - 2.6

The first bit of planning, based on what the client wants is where the photos are going to be taken. Now if it was going to be in a household that would be absolutely fine as long as the homeowner gives consent however if it was going to be done outside in a public area a lot more would have to be considered. For example if the shoot was going to be in a park you will have to be careful where abouts in the park you are taking them and who you get in the photos because when children are involved highlights a major, legal issue of child protection. In the case of using children you will have to explain the situation and receive full confirmation from the parents or guardians that they're children are allowed to take part. However if they are in the background, as long as you are not focusing on them and are actually part of the background then you will be alright. It doesn't hurt to let those around you know the reason photos are being taken.

Another issue with carrying out a shoot in a public place is that you may need consent. For example if you want to use a grave yard you should ask permission via writing a letter or if they have contact details on a website then via that. If you do not ask, in the worst possible case police may be called but usually the groundsmen will nto bother with calling the police unless vandalism was involved. So if caught taking photos you will most likely be escorted off the premises.

While being out on location and doing a full shoot, depending on how long it does actually take, camera batteries could run out and if you haven't got spares then you will be forced to stop as you physically cannot carry on. Another disadvantage with being out on location is that, particularly with my shoot, props such as make up materials could spoil and be no good for the rest of the shoot. Also as the weather is unpredictable you may be in the middle of taking a certain set of photos where you need certain lights for example then a group of clouds come along and ruin the lighting. You then have to wait for them to pass or finish the set on another day.

People becoming suddenly unavailable is another big issue that can cause the shoot to be rescheduled which will cause inconveniences for everyone so it is always good to have back up actors/models incase this does happen.

When planning for the photo shoot you want to keep all of these in mind and always have a plan b incase. I have considered all of these and am very prepared for if any of the above was to happen.

PRE PRODUCTION - 2.5

PRE PRODUCTION - 2.3

The software I prefer to use Microsoft Word for all of my written based documents as I know how to use it really well and you can create clear, easy to read documents. However another way to record my pre production documents would be via a visual slideshow or even videoing me talking to my client, the police station or showing my models verbally agreeing to be in the photos and me having full rights of them. I personally wouldn't like to use these methods as i'm comfortable and confident with using Microsoft Word.


An advantage of using word is that I can transfer the files where ever I want and where ever I want. I can simply save the documents to a usb device or email it to myself so I can have access to the files when I have a computer or internet.


I also like to draw/sketch so this is how I can show my planning for the actual photography I will be doing so i can get a rough idea how the shots will be taken and transfer what my client wants visually.

PRE PRODUCTION - 2.2

As the shoot involves zombies, a lot of blood, wounds, maggots, death and animal body parts it's safe to say the genre of my project is horror. I researched some zombie photo shoots and most of them are located in a dark environment such as a woodland area or a street in the night-time.

This is the biggest convention when shooting anything within the horror genre. I will use this convention but also break it too by doing another zombie shoot in the daytime. This will still have great effect because it allows you then to show a lot more detail of the surrounding area and and by having natural light it gives me more freedom when playing with lighting in photoshop. In both of the images above, girls are used. 

A lot of images I found on the internet were mostly female populated whereas in my shoots I am having 2 male zombies and 1 female. Although in one of my shoots the girl is going to be an innocent human but in the other she is going to be a zombie. Also something i didn't see when researching zombie photos was the use of animals. In previous photography projects I have used a lambs heart - Photo below.

Because of the positive reaction I received by using a real anatomical heart i have decided to use them again along with a real skinless goats head. I was able to get one of these from an African food market and it only cost me £3. The goats head will have an amazing impression when people look over the photos because it isn't something you would think you could get hold of easily or cheaply. The market also had head with skin still on but the skinless ones look so much more disgusting and powerful and will be easier to add make up to in order for it to look more gross because you can see the muscle and flesh and all that will need to be done to it is have red food colouring and fake blood painted onto it.