Characteristics of studio photography

Understand the characteristics of studio photography

(Unit content 1)

Characteristics = distinctive features of types

Studio photography has 2 main characteristics

Creative Intent                                          Client Requirement

                                                                                                                             

Within these two characteristics, we've still got many distinctive features of types,

eg. commercial, fashion, macro, product, scientific, etc.

In class, our tutor asked us to make a 10 minutes presentation (in a group of 3) and then demonstrate our knowledge of this first content in front of the class. My part of the presentation was to explain - What is creative intent? - and also I had to show some of the creative intent photographer's images and talk about the possible studio set up, compositions, etc.

1. Creative Intent

Creative intent is when the ideas come from the photographers. The photographers are using their own imagination and creativity to produce a piece of work. They aren't working for a client therefore they have more freedom to create and be as creative as they can. Creative intent has the potential to lead to commercial success. 

2. Client Requirement 

Client requirement is the opposite to creative intent. Here, the photographers either has a client or an employer. They may have given a brief of direction of what the client/employer wants from the photo, so the photographer need to produce an image of their choice,but sometimes they have some free to do something more creative. Client requirement is more commercial as it's often used to advertise products.


Now I'm going to compare the 2 characteristics by showing examples of each one. Both image is made by Craig Cutler.

• The first picture is an example of creative intent. The scrap metals create a city with skyscrapers. It really shows the use of creative intent. I think the photographer did a plan first about how to arrange the subjects and decided what material/s he's going to use. By using different size/tone of metals, he could totally reach the effect of high buildings and create a part of (NY) city. This image is not part of an advertisement, this image shows how the photographer carried out his idea.
  
  * no client * photographer's idea and creativity * freedom to create

• The second image is an example of client requirement. This image is part of an advertisement. You can see the name of the glass company at the bottom right and the catalog number at the top right, so this is clearly an advertisement for Steuben. There is a few distracting point on this image, the dog and the ball, however the focus point is still on the glass because that's where the light is stronger and people's eyes are always looking at the brighter part first. Here, the photographer payed by the client so he had to photograph what the client wants and comply with the request.
  
  flow chart could be this   * company * advert agency * client * photographer * image