The document outlines potential practical and technical problems that may be encountered during an FMP photography project, as well as proposed solutions. Some examples of problems include forgetting equipment, using the wrong equipment, running out of storage or battery life. Solutions involve creating checklists, having backup equipment and storage, planning ahead, and following tutorials. Potential theoretical problems involve unpredictable weather, issues with models or locations. Solutions center around scheduling flexibility, backup plans, and preparation.

1. FMP- Problem Solving
Abbie Nicholls

2. Practical and Technical Problems
 Forgetting equipment such as the camera, lens or tripods.
 Bringing the wrong equipment to the location.
 Not having the correct equipment with me on the photo-shoot.
 Unable to successfully create techniques such as manipulating the face for horror and thriller posters.
 Unable to successfully create different technical effects on Photoshop such as a vintage effect or fantasy
theme.
 Running out of storage on the camera battery/memory card
 Battery on the camera dying
 Not having sufficient camera battery for the day
 Running out of space on my memory stick resulting in no form of backing up my work and protecting my
data
 Not having the correct update for Photoshop.
 Not having the correct software to edit my pictures.
 Not having the ability to successfully follow a tutorial
 Work getting lost/misplaced
 Being ill off college

3. Practical and Technical Solutions
• When I am planning to shoot at different locations, there is the possibility that I may forget equipment or
bring the wrong equipment. To resolve this, I will produce a check list of my equipment so that before any
shoot I can tick off the equipment and make sure that all the correct camera, lens, tripod, memory cards
and battery is with me at all times. Another way to resolve this issue would be to have an assistant with
me at the shoots so that they can help carry and set up the equipment.
• Several different shoots require different types of lens with me as I am shooting different objects such as
macro photography, wildlife, nature, landscapes and portrait. When I am specializing in macro
photography, it is important that I bring the macro lens with me. If I accidently forget the lens or bring the
wrong lens I can resolve this photographing the object as best as I can then cropping down the image. If
this does not work, I will need a spare day in the week when I can return to the location with the correct
equipment. Another way to resolve this would be having a checklist so that I can double check I have the
correct lens before driving there.
• For my FMP, I need to learn lots of new editing techniques on Photoshop which means that I will have to
follow several different tutorials. A specific technique that I am nervous to recreate is manipulating the
face for horror film posters. I have found a tutorial on YouTube that should help make this process easier. I
have never created a product with a vintage effect or fantasy mood on the product therefore this is
another tutorial I will need to follow to resolve this issue. I have found a YouTube channel that has
hundreds of different Photoshop tutorials therefore any techniques or skills that I want to apply to my
work will be found on this page.

4. Practical and Technical Solutions
• It is a possibility that during production I may run out of room on the memory card, my memory stick and the
battery. To resolve this problem, I will always make sure that all equipment is fully charged so that my camera
battery will not die mid shoot. I will always have a spare memory card with me on the photo shoots so that there
is a sufficient amount of room on the camera to photograph everything I need. My work is always saved onto the
camera and on my memory stick. However, if I run out of room on my memory stick I will always save my work
onto a back up memory stick dedicated to my FMP project.
• Another issue I may experience is not having the correct update on Photoshop which would mean I would be
unable to apply some new techniques and skills to my work. To resolve this problem, I will make sure all sufficient
software updates have been applied in advance so that I am not wasting production time in lesson.
• Some tutorials on YouTube do not require Photoshop but Light room. To resolve this problem, I will only follow
tutorials that are based on Photoshop as that is the software I am comfortable using and want to expand my
knowledge on. Another way to resolve this would be downloading Light room and following the tutorials however
this may take up lots of production time as I have not used the software before.
• Another problem that I may experience will possibly be not being ale to follow a Photoshop tutorial successfully.
To resolve this, I will watch all the Photoshop tutorials before I begin editing so that I can make sure I understand
the tutorial. Another way to resolve this would be to look at several different tutorials on the same technique so
that I have options of which video explains it best. The final way to resolve this would be to disregard the
technique and follow a different tutorial .
• Because I am producing lots of pieces of work in this project, it may be hard to keep it all organized. To resolve this
problem, I will back up all my work on different devices so that nothing gets lost and production is not interrupted.
• The final practical problem that I may experience is being ill off college so that production is interrupted. To
resolve this I will make sure that I am up to date with all my work so that some time off with not disrupt my work.

5. Theoretical Problems
 The weather being unpredictable (raining or snowing) resulting in photographs being too dark or shoot cancelled
 The weather being unpredictable (too bright and sunny) resulting in photographs being over exposed
 The weather damaging equipment
 Lighting equipment not working correctly in the studio
 Not having enough models for my work
 Models unable to work on specific days
 Models no longer wanting to participate in work
 Not having a big enough team to help me at the shoots (carrying equipment and help setting up)
 Crew forgetting equipment
 Certain locations vital to production being closed
 Not having enough time to visit all locations
 Required locations being too far away
 Not having any transport to get to locations
 Transport being too expensive to travel
 Expensive for traveling as well as visiting locations (entry fee)
 Not having enough time to produce work
 Not having software's at home to complete work in my own time
 The location not being safe and suitable enough to shoot at
 Working in unsafe environments (disturbing wildlife, shooting near water, shooting on cliffs/hills)
 Wires being scattered across the floor causing a trip hazard

6. Theoretical Solutions
• Another big problem that could disrupt production is the weather. If it is raining some of the shoots will
have to be cancelled and rescheduled to another day. However, to resolve this issue without cancelling will
be brining camera protectors so that my lens and camera does not get wet during the shoot. My photos
may come out too dark with lots of contrast. To resolve this I will use the brightness effect on my camera
and adjust the brightness so that the photos have more highlights. I can also use the sunny effect to make
the photos more bright and colourful. I can also apply this technique if my photos are over exposed and
too bright. I can take photos on the cloudy effect which adds more depth to the pictures.
• I am working in the studio to produce portrait shots for some of my posters, however I may possibly
experience some difficulties with the lighting equipment. To resolve this, I will ask for a demonstration on
how to use the equipment so that if anything does go wrong I am aware of how to resolve. Another way to
resolve this problem would be to have a teacher on stand by that can help with any problems.
• Because I am going to working with different models for my work, this may result in several problems. If I
do not have enough models for my work then I will ask more people to help out with my work and try to
find replacements. I need to produce a schedule for production so that the models know when they are
needed. This will resolve any problems if models can not shoot on certain days. Some models may decide
that they no longer want to participate in my work which means that I need several models on stand by so
that production is not interrupted. Another way to resolve this problem would be by having no models at
all with back up ideas for posters so that I am relying on people.
• To help me with my production, I will need someone to help me set up and carry equipment for me. If I
can not find anyone to help me with production, I will set aside more time at the beginning of the shoot so
that I have a sufficient amount of time to take my pictures.

7. Theoretical Solutions
• The problem with having a team helping me set up and bring equipment means that I am relying on them
to bring certain vital objects to the shoot. There is a possibility that they may forget some important
equipment. To resolve this, I will make sure I bring the cameras and lens and the team will be assigned the
tripods, camera bags, spare battery and memory card.
• For the photo shoots, I need to visit several different locations to suit my different film genre posters.
There is a possibility that some of the nature reserves may be closed due to the weather which means that
I need back up places to visit that will be open and suit the needs of the shoot. Another way to resolve this
would by reserving other days in the week to shoot so that my production is not disturbed.
• We only have a couple of weeks for production which means that I may run out of time to photograph
everything I need. To resolve this, I will begin my photo shoots before production begins so that I am
ahead of the schedule. Another way to resolve this would be by taking photographs in my spare time as
well as during college time so that my time is used wisely.
• For some of the locations I am travelling quite far which means that I need transport ready for the shoots.
If I do not have access to the car then I can take public transport to the locations so that production is not
disturbed. Another way to resolve this would be by scheduling my production around times when the
crew are free and have a car ready for production. This means that my production would never be
interrupted. Travelling to these locations may be expensive as well as adding the entrance fees. To resolve
this I would pay for a student ticket which would be discounted. I will also make sure to not spend too
much time at the locations so that the team does not have to pay too much for parking.

8. Theoretical Solutions
• We have several weeks for production, however this may not be enough time for me to complete
production and my shoots. To resolve this I will come into college on my days off to make sure production
is running smoothly. Another way to resolve this would be to produce a schedule that I will stick to so that
my time is used wisely. I can not do any work on Photoshop at home as I do not have access to the
software at home. To resolve this I would begin a free trial on Photoshop so that I can do some work at
home and production is not disturbed.
• Some of the locations may be unsafe to shoot in due to the wildlife or being near water. To resolve this, I
will only shoot at locations that are suitable to my work and do not put me and my team in unsafe
situations. To make sure I do not disturb the wildlife, I will only remain at the locations for a short amount
of time and remain quiet. When I am photographing wildlife, I will try to take the majority of the shots at
wildlife parks so that the animals are used to the public.
• Highlight where all wires are placed so that no one trips and hurts themselves or damages the equipment.

9. Experiments- Cracked Skin
The first tutorial that I followed was how to create cracked skin. I found this tutorial
difficult to follow because I had to try several times to have a semi-good outcome. I
used a range of different skills and techniques that I have not used before on
Photoshop. For example, I used the wrap tool to move the cracked skin onto
Georgia’s face to fit better. I changed the opacity and the overlay to suit her face
more. I then used the pen tool to make some of the lines more bolder. I am not
happy with the outcome because I do not think that it looks professional. I was
nervous to follow this tutorial because I have not created something like this before.
It needs to looks scary and realistic however the result of my work does not look like
this. I will need to follow the tutorial several more times till I am confident with the
technique.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y3aIHxxkok

10. Experiments- Glitch Effect
I thought that this glitch effect may possibly be an interesting way to entice
the audience and make the poster look more colourful and grab your
attention. I found this tutorial form the same page as the majority of the
tutorials called Photoshop Tutorials. The technique was very simple and did
not challenge me to new techniques because I have slightly experimented
with adjustment layers before. Duplicating and shifting the image influences
it to look 3D and stand out. I am happy with the outcome because I have the
desired effect that I would like. To develop this further I would like to
introduce an edited background that could make the poster look more
interesting. This tutorial was quite simple therefore in the future I would like
to try something more challenging.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcSkwwAZvK0

11. Experiments- Landscape
I followed a tutorial on how to achieve a moody toned
landscape photograph. I like this effect because I think that it
adds more depth to the landscape and looks more interesting.
To achieve this effect I used the curves tool, vibrancy, hue and
saturation, dodge and burn tool and the camera raw filter. I
lowered the brightness of the photo as well as the vibrancy so
that it was not as bright and eye catching. I then used the
dodge and burn tool to deepen the photograph and make it
look more like it has a grain effect. I have followed this tutorial
before and made several different experiments and I am happy
with the outcome. I will use this effect for some of the
landscape or nature shots to make them look more dramatic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQbK3Knw1pk

12. Experiments- Horror Poster
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcSkwwAZvK0
This tutorial that I found was how to create a horror film poster. I found this
tutorial extremely difficult to complete as it took several hours and I still did not
complete it. This tutorial introduced several new techniques and skills that I have
never used on Photoshop before. For example, I used the mask tool and the
quick selection tool several times to erase certain elements on the images and
overlap them to blend into one. The only image that is mine is the portrait shot
of Georgia, others were downloaded. This tutorial was very difficult because
there was certain brushes used that I did not have access to. It took several tries
to mask the images and blend them together and even then the outcome is not
good. I decided to stop because I did not have the same tools to complete the
tutorial and did not think that it was going well enough to carry on. It took up
several lessons which means I was running out of time to produce other
experiments that could possibly work better for me.
When I am working on horror posters in the future, I will
follow much easier tutorials and check that the tools
used are easily accessible. If I do not understand how to
successfully complete a technique I will ask for help
instead of making the poster look worse.

13. Experiments- Macro Photography
To practice my macro photography skills and improve I
experimented with a macro lens that ranges from 70mm-
300mm. I am going to incorporate macro photography into my
work to capture different insects or flowers for the posters. For
example, for the film Ladybird I am going to use a macro lens.
The depth of field was on f12 so that there was a nice blurred
background with some detail. I also decreased the brightness
so that I could capture more detail in the flowers and leaves. I
used a tripod for all of my shots on the macro lens because it
was important that it stayed stable so that the photos were not
blurry. I enjoyed this experiment because I feel much more
confident using the macro lens and now know different
techniques and skills to use to improve the photographs.

14. Experiments- Lady Bird Poster
Once I had tried experimenting with different
techniques and skills on Photoshop I decided to
recreate a film poster instead as I thought this would be
helpful to production as I would learn techniques that
are applied to theatrical releases posters. I decided to
recreate the poster for Lady Bird because I really like
the poster as it is really colourful and has several hidden
meanings towards religion. I took the image of Georgia
in the studio and then edited it to look more grainy in
the camera raw filter. I downloaded the font used on
the actual poster from dafont.com to make the poster
look even more like the original. I am happy with the
outcome because I think that it is colourful and grabs
your attention. This is the experiment that I think is
most helpful for me as I struggled with several other
experiments.