Picture needs

Industry

Alexandra Bortkiewicz — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:50:00 GMT

© H. Mark Weidman PhotographyFor this issue of picture needs we are looking at the subject of Industry and industrial themes. With economical, political and social changes in the world combined with globalisation, more countries are experiencing tremendous growth and development to compete industry wise in the global market place. There is a lively demand for these kind of images covering topics like development in progress, overall modernisation, and impact on the environment.

As well as the negative aspects on the environment we are also very interested in images that reflect environmentally friendly processes and actions that established industrial centres as well as the new emerging ones are adopting.

There is more advice on shooting different subject matter in Photographer tips.

Modernisation

Technology: robotics, mechanical, automated, software, computers.
Businesses: market sectors, commercial, new industry, location.
Economical: globalization, pollution, carbon footprint, emissions.
Development: new builds, lost habitat, scale, growth, sustainability.
Architecture: factories, warehouses, work-plants, head-quarters.
Example images depicting Industry modernisation.

Portraiture

Environment: indoor, outdoor, weather, seasons, atmosphere.
Workforce: specialists, tradesman, manual labour, blue collar.
Job Role: production line, machine operator, senior management.
Presentation: authenticity, signs of work, grease, oil, dirt.
Continuity: emotions, expressions, consistency, same group/individual.
Example images depicting Industry People and Portraiture.

Concepts

Equipment: tools, kit, machinery, face mask.
Uniform: protection, health and safety, hats, gloves.
Production: resources, processes, procedures, rural, urban.
Market Sector: manufacturers, location, national, global.
Transport: cargo, freight, shipping, hauliers, docks.
Example conceptual industry images.

Christmas

Alexandra Bortkiewicz — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:10:00 GMT

© MIXA Co. LtdThis month’s issue covers situations related to the Christmas season and coinciding with availability of props and seasonal considerations. We recommend contributors to look at current home and décor magazines like Country Homes, Ideal Homes and Fashion magazines to see the contemporary styles that are de rigueur but enduring and latest interpretations of Christmas.

There is far more diversity in styles and trend for more individual celebrations of Christmas though the traditional look continues to be in demand. The vast majority of Christmas requests come from gift card, calendar and poster companies so composition is paramount when photographing these scenes. Cut-outs continue to be very popular with customers and particular gaps include contemporary lifestyle images of model releaed families or friends celebrating Christmas. Many Christmas themed images are usually sourced by buyers during the late Summer and early Autumn months so look to expect to see the fruits of your Christmas themed labour around this time!

There is more advice on shooting different subject matter in Photographer tips.

House and home

Lifestyle: family, together, indoor-outdoor, interacting, culture.
Food & drink: seasonal, celebration, cooking, dining, sweets and treats.
Decorations: traditional, classical, contemporary and kitsch.
Presents: giving, receiving, discarded wrapping paper and gifts.
Traditional: christmas tree, fireplace, centre piece, table setting, wreaths and garland.
Example images of Christmas around the house and home.

Outdoors

Rural: landscape, villages, community, homes and churches.
Urban: buildings, architecture, snow covered objects and ice sculptures.
Weather: snow, frost, magic hour, people and warm clothing.
Wildlife: woodland, gardens, parks, flowers, animals and pets.
People: playing, walking, socializing and communicating.
Example images of Christmas outdoors.

Commercial

Retail: shops, displays, shopping malls, markets, and lighting.
Events: ice skating, rides, santa’s grotto, christmas lights and switch on.
Humour: groups, individuals, parties, fancy dress, animals and environment.
Location: villages, streets, cities, society, consumers and culture.
Travel: holiday season, destinations, tours, rides, couples and family.
Example Christmas themed commercial images.

Progression

Alexandra Bortkiewicz — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 10:56:00 GMT

© PhotodiscFor this issue of picture needs we are looking at series and single frames of images covering various subject categories, which are devised in a sequence or as a developing situation. This is in response to receiving more requests of this nature from image buyers which are likely to increase in the future.

The images are generally relevant to both the editorial and commercial markets with the latter using these type of images in a metaphorical way, for example, reflecting the idea of 'growth' and 'fruition' in a company or brand. Much of the ideas hinge on recording detail in sequence or as it is developing, but it is important to document distinctive stages rather then incremental ones, otherwise they could be perceived as too similar.

Movement

Sequence imagery that represent movement or development in one frame (as with time lapse photography) or a series of images that represent movement or development via a singular set of frames.

Movement Categories – These need to show how humans and animals operate and interact within the world and how that environment continues to flourish regardless.

People

Sport – Crashes, Jumping, flying, scoring, starting/finishing.
Lifestyle – Body Art/Piercing, Gardening, Cooking, Makeovers.
Communicating – Copying, Signing, Caring, Cultural.
Gesture – Position, Group, Individual, Socializing, Hobbies.
Routine – Habits, Hygiene, Cleaning, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders.

Nature

Cycles – Moon, Tides, Weather, Seasons.
Growth – Horticulture, Maintaining, Occupying, Cultivating, Species.
Climate – Locations, Change, Deforestation, Clearings, Effects, Eco-System.
Reflexes – Opening, Gripping, Climbing, Shrinking, Expanding.
Farming– Sowing, Creating, Harvesting, Replenishing.

Animals

Wildlife – Breaching, Carrying, Building, Learning to fly, Jumping.
Pets – Catching, Training, Obeying, Playing.
Survival – Breeding, Hunting, Feeding, Collecting, Food-Chain.
Habitat – Community, Conservation, Population, Hierarchy.
Defences – Protecting, Deterring, Predator, Prey.

Examples

Development

These need to show how humans, animals and nature arrive, develop and evolve in the world. Here we have included an ideas section which can incorporate anything from educational to conceptual themes.

People

Life – Birth, Age, Retirement, Environment.
Relationships – Education, Professional, Social, Gender.
Learning – Observing, Practical, Tuition, Exams.
Communicating – Copying, Signing, Workplace.
Workplace – School, Industry, Office.

Nature

Cycles – Blooming, Decaying, Turning, Blossoming, Seasons.
Trees – Planting, Cutting, Maturing, Seed to Sapling.
Wildlife – Development, Hatching, Evolving, Metamorphosis.
Activity – Gathering, Distributing, Providing, Sharing.
Partnership – Species, Symbiotic, Documenting, Monitoring

Ideas

Still life – Numbers, Abstract, Flowers, People.
Travel – Globalization, Transport, Journeys, Culture.
Sealife - Aerobatics, Habitat, Observation, Species.
Architecture – Construction, Environment, Eco-friendly.
Industry – Mechanical, Technology, Office, People.

Examples

Science and research

Alexandra Bortkiewicz — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 10:37:00 GMT

The focus is on creating images that are iconic of this field as well as addressing current specialist topics like DNA, nanotechnology, genetics etc. To keep abreast of new areas of research or development it’s worth subscribing to magazines like New Scientist and Scientific American.
Stylistically it’s recommended to aim for simple graphic compositions, no distracting elements, with a futuristic feel which can work on different levels and for different markets.
Authenticity is paramount, particularly for editorial markets, ensuring all procedures are correctly conducted using state of the art equipment with the focus on a “high tec” feel.

There is more advice on shooting different subject matter in Photographer tips.

Processes from A-Z

Washing hands: Techniques, soaping, rinsing and drying.
Sample taking: Blood syringed, tongue swab or hair sample.
Result analysis: Microscope, x-ray, litmus paper or charts.
Modern research: Gene, cells, virus’, DNA, cloning, IVF.
Still life: Syringe and metal plates, needle/swab against skin, Petri dishes, test-tubes, conical and other glass containers.
Real Life: Overview of laboratory and scientists working in environment, looking over the shoulder of scientists examining test results. Macro shots of bacteria and cells.
Example images of science processes

Protection and prevention

Protective clothing: Wearing, washing, disposing and storage.
Health and safety procedures: signs, bins and unobstructed areas.
Cleaning and disposal: Special disposal bags for needles and chemicals.
Double checks: Observation, comparison and confirmation.
Still Life: Line of white coats, gloved hands in sterile box, hazard warning signs.
Real Life: Scientist carefully putting on protective clothing such as gloves, goggles and caps.
Technicians: Putting lids on bins and cleaners washing and drying floors.
Scientists: Carefully passing specimens to each other and double checking each others results.
Example images of protection and prevention

Storage and preservation

Sample storing and labelling: Organisation and accuracy of storage / labelling.
Sample transportation: Packing and moving trolleys, trays or containers.
Computer data: Use of computers in labs for data input and info.
Lids, preservatives and dark rooms: Liquids, air tight containers and use of infrared.
Still Life: Liquid in containers, syringes filled with blood.
Unusual views: Inside freezer and unusual angles in sterile areas.
Real Life: Gloved hands taking specimen out of freezer, lab technician carefully moving containers to safe place. Lab technician putting away or looking for files.
Example images of storage and preservation

Student scientists

Reference books: Hands flicking, pointing and underlining.
Aim for accuracy: Comparing notes, counting and concentrating.
Presentations: White board with student pointing and talking.
Teaching and instructing: Teachers/students questioning and demonstrating.
Still Life: Molecular structure, Bunsen burners, glass rods, shelves of reference books.
Real Life: Lab technicians examining data on a light box, reflection in student’s goggles of Bunsen burner flame. Students helping each other put on masks.
Example images of studying science

Single life

Alexandra Bortkiewicz — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 16:13:00 GMT

© Stockbyte PlatinumWe are pleased to introduce our eagerly awaited new version of picture needs, researched and compiled by our picture research department. Instead of focusing on broad chunks of subject matter, the idea is to target specific areas, provide more detail and indicate the mood required for different situations. Lightboxes showing example images further complete the picture.

Our first topic, Single life, reflects the trend of more people living on their own due to lifestyle choices and longevity. This subject provides lots of opportunities to be creative about individual lifestyles and encourages the development of narrative in these type of situations. Realistic senarios are important, so consider using actors for certain situations where more gritty realism is required. As always, obtaining a signed model release will greatly increase the sales potential of your shoot and appeal to more markets.

There is more advice on shooting different subject matter in Photographer tips.

Loss of partner

Contemporary mourning images: funeral, home alone and practical difficulties.
Devastation: Sorrow, sadness, tears of lose. All generations, genders and cultures.
Memories: photographs, clothes, special places, past experiences.
Coping alone: paying bills, maintaining car, learning to cook, washing.
Concepts: Isolation, loneliness, helplessness, ‘living in the past’.
Example images of loss

Renewal

Rediscovering yourself: life, self image and the opposite sex.
Awakening: Seeing, smelling and touching again: nature, food, relationships.
Hobbies: singles holidays, lunch with friends, yoga.
New possibilities: flirting, dating, sexual encounters.
Concepts: Discovery, growth, renewal, ‘it’s never too late’.
Example images of renewal

Single lifestyle

Modern day: work, home and social activities.
Career: Work late/weekends, laptop culture, office flirt.
No sharing: personal playroom, plants in bath, champaign bath-times.
Leisure: friends and alone: partying, city breaks, cultural: theatre, galleries, gigs.
Concepts: Freedom, individuality, personal choices, ‘no compromise’.
Example images of single lifestyle