Media: recces Research and planning

1. Research and planning
Recce forms

2. Address and map of location
Seven springs, Milford.
Address:
Little Haywood,
Stafford
ST17 0WT

3. Suitability
My location is suitable as it’s a location often used within the genre, especially during
the winter seasons at the fallen leaves and dark days create an ere atmosphere to
the photo shoot which matches the genre and the kind of effect I’m aiming to create
for my photos. The forest back ground is dark, with greens and browns forming a
naturally interesting and workable background for the whole of my double page
spread instead of a plain, block background used often by many magazines. This
subtle difference between my design and that of other magazines will make my
layout different to that of other magazines while still in keeping with the rock genre.
Due to the versatility and expanse of my location, I can easily change my setting and
lighting to a certain extent if I don’t like how a photo has come out. This location
would not be suitable for my front cover as my front cover background needs to be a
block colour in order to stand out on the shelf and also fit in with the genre.
The idea of a forest connotes ideas of mysteriousness and the unknown which may
appeal to the individualist audience I’m aiming for as my target audience.

4. Availability
This location is a public space and is available all the time throughout the year,
however due to it being a public space it would mean I would have to contact
‘Cannock Chase Council’ to ask permission to shoot on this location and confirm times
and exact locations. Due to lighting, my availability will be limited to only day light
hours which is from 7:30am until 5:00pm during the winter months.
Since this location is an outside location I have limited availability due to weather, I
need this location to be dry enough for my models to work and enable me to get
different location shots. Also, my shoot will not work if it’s raining due to equipment
that must be kept dry such as the camera. Due to this, I will be scheduling my date on
weather forecasts and reports and rescheduling if conditions are not suitable.

5. Contact details
Due to this being a public space this land does not belong to anyone by the
council, but is maintained by rangers on Cannock Chase.
Chase county council:
Address-
Cannock Chase Council, Civic Centre,
Beecroft Road, Cannock, Staffs WS11 1BG
Email- customerservices@cannockchasedc.gov.uk
Phone- 01543 462621
Cannock chase rangers/forestry commission:
Email- info-cannock@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Phone- 0300 067 4340
Address-
Rugeley,
Staffordshire
WS15 2UQ

6. Power sources
Since this is an outside location power sources are highly limited, with the nearest
power outlet at a nearby restaurant that’s about 30 minutes walk away from the
location. To avoid having my equipment run out of battery life I’ll pre-charge all
equipment before hand and take a spare charged battery for my camera. The
typical battery life for my Nikon D3100 is around 4 hours which is plenty of time to
get the shoot done.
I won’t be needing anything to be directly plugged into a power source such as
lighting as I’ll be using the natural lighting.
Location of nearby restaurant

7. Lighting
My location is outside, in a natural area and I will not be taking any extra lighting
equipment, such as a light board, so therefore I’ll be relying on natural lighting.
The best lighting in the winter months are around late morning to early afternoon
so that will be when I’ll be taking my photos. If it is cloudy or too dim during this
time then I’ll be waiting around to see if weather conditions improve, if they don’t
then the shoot will have to be rescheduled. To avoid this I will be checking the
weather forecasts prior to the shoot to see if it’s forecast rain, cloud or any
unsuitable lighting and weather conditions.

8. Images