Location Scout & Risk Assessment

In this post, I will perform a risk assessment of my location scouts

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High-end Fashion Magazine Cover

Location: Sanur Beach 

Purpose of shoot:  Front cover, double page spread, content page

Media language: 

• Warm lighting
• Long shot, medium shot, close up shot

Pros:

• Free 
• Natural lighting --> no need to buy any lighting equipments
• Easily accessible

Cons:

• Unpredicted weather
• Limited facilities
• Hard to control when it's crowded

Alternatives:

Risk Assessment

Potential Hazards & Evaluation of Risks: 

• Unpredictable weather: Since the shoot is done in an outdoor space (the beach) the weather can't be controlled. Since the beach is often windy, sand might be blown into props such as cameras, as well as the model's eyes, which can cause damage and physical pain to the model. If the sunlight is too bright, the lighting will be bad and difficult to control. It might also start raining or get cloudy, which may cause the lighting to be bad too. The shooting might also have to be delayed if it starts raining as the camera can break if it's left under the rain and model might get sick if they are under the rain for a long duration of time during the shoot. In addition, a cloudy/rainy weather will give a different vibe and aesthetic to the whole shoot. 
• Limited facilities: Sanur Beach has very few toilets that are located very far away and is difficult to reach. In the case that the model or photographer urgently needs to go to the toilet, it will cause an inconvenience as this will consume quite some time.
• Crowded conditions: The Sanur Beach is popular amongst locals, which causes the location to be packed. Silhouettes of people in the background of the photoshoot will ruin the pictures. In addition to this, some locals may find the photoshoot an annoyance and complain about it, which may cause conflict to arise. 
• Can't control MES (mise-en-scene): Since Sanur Beach is a public area, a permit may be needed to bring a large amount of props, as this may disrupt public activity. 

Control Measures & Implemented Timeframe:

• Unpredictable weather: Check the weather forecast before going and pick the most ideal date to do the shoot. [± 10 minutes]
• In case of weather forecast lacking accuracy, bring umbrella to shield from rain and intense sunlight.
• Limited facilities: Go to the toilet in a nearby mini market or cafe before going to do the photoshoot [± 20 minutes]
• Crowded conditions: Ask locals regarding the hours and days of the week where it's the least crowded as well as find an area with the least people. [± 5 minutes]
• Can't control MES (mise-en-scene): I'll have to utilize the items and props available there so that I won't cause any trouble. I can also bring small props if I'd like. [doesn't take much time]

Location: Photo studio

Purpose of shoot: Front cover, double page spread, content page

Media language:

• Cool lighting
• Low angle shot & static shot

Pros:

• props and mise-en-scene can be controlled to liking
• lighting can be controlled
• no need to worry about unstable/unpredictable weather

Cons: 

• expensive to rent
• limited space
• lack of originality
• boring background
• delays caused by unexpected problems (vehicle problems, setting up equipment, scheduling, etc.)

Alternatives: 

• My room

Risk Assessment

Potential Hazards & Evaluation of Risks: 

• Electrical hazards: Since there are lots of electrical equipments in a photo studio, such as cameras, lighting rings, etc. People are prone to getting electrical shocks and many more. 
• Fire hazards: photo studio often contains flammable materials such as fabric backdrops. This may cause some problems to occur if an equipment gets too hot and lights up on fire. 
• Trip and fall hazards: There are many props, equipments, and cables in the photo studio that can cause people to trip and fall. 

Control Measures & Implemented Timeframe:

• Electrical hazards: find a photo studio that has electrical equipments that are properly maintained. [No specific timing]
• Fire hazards: make sure that the fire exit is clearly marked and easily accessible, as well as make an emergency evacuation plan. [± 30 minutes to 1 hour]
• Trip and fall hazards: Have the cords that securely taped down as well as make sure that paths are cleared up.  [± 45 minutes]

Location: Model's room (my friend's bedroom)

Purpose of shoot: double page spread

Media language: close up shot, cool lighting

Pros:

• Doesn't take any money to do the shoot
• More convenient since there's easy access to props and wardrobe items, and there is no need for transportations
• Model will feel more relaxed as they are doing it in their own personal space, giving them comfort

Cons: 

• Many distractions (e.g. family members, presence of pets, etc.)
• Lack of professional equipments, since the photoshoot is done in a house, it's very unlikely that they have lots of professional equipments such as ring lights, unlike photo studio
• Limited space compared to photo studio and Sanur beach

Risk Assessment

Potential Hazards & Evaluation of Risks: 

• Privacy concerns: having a photoshoot in a bedroom may cause privacy concerns and might make the model uncomfortable, especially when the model is wearing "revealing" clothings.
• Comfort: doing a photoshoot for too long can cause problems like pack pain, eye strain, etc. 
• Trip and fall hazard: since the room is a rather small space, the cables and props can cause people to trip over it.

Control Measures & Implemented Timeframe:

• Privacy concerns: Ensure that all the people feel comfortable and ask for their consent when doing certain things that they may feel uncomfortable about. [takes no time]
• Comfort: Take breaks between shoots and provide a comfortable seating. [± 5-10 minute breaks every 30 minutes]
• Trip and fall hazard: Keep path clear from any clutters of props and/or cables [± 15 minutes]

Reflection: doing this task has helped me realize that I mustn't impulsively go to a place just for photoshoot without contemplating the risks that come with it. I should always be as prepared as possible, especially when entering a new area/place. A problem I faced is that the photo studio wouldn't let me take a picture of their studio without paying so I decided to not use the photo studio anymore, therefore left with two choices; model's bedroom and beach. I'm pretty satisfied with the outcome, although I think I'm capable of doing better than this.