Questionnaire

Hi there, I'm a student studying design and technology. For this, I am designing a light that photographers (specifically landscape) can use. I realise that there are many lights already on the market, but it would be great to develop a new, better one with your help! DO not worry, I am NOT a scam, I'm merely trying to gather data, which will, in turn, inspire my design for a new product. Please could you share these surveys on your group, so that i can gather as much data as possible, you'd really help me! Here are the links to the surveys (15 questions in total): Part 1: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/QSNDVXX Part 2: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/QSB8SV8 Many thanks for your help, Theo Ryde

Hi there,

I'm a student studying design and technology. For this, I am designing a light that photographers (specifically landscape) can use. I realise that there are many lights already on the market, but it would be great to develop a new, better one with your help! DO not worry, I am NOT a scam, I'm merely trying to gather data, which will, in turn, inspire my design for a new product. Please could you share these surveys on your group, so that i can gather as much data as possible, you'd really help me! Here are the links to the surveys (15 questions in total):

Part 1: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/QSNDVXX
Part 2: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/QSB8SV8

Many thanks for your help,

Theo Ryde

You're right that there are many lights already on the market. They are used by news photographers, some sport photographers, fashion photographers, interior photographers, product photographers, wedding photographers and portrait photographers. It's rarely that landscape photographers use them. Most landscape photography is performed using available light and is often of scenes so vast that photographic lighting would stand no chance of illuminating.

You're right that there are many lights already on the market. They are used by news photographers, some sport photographers, fashion photographers, interior photographers, product photographers, wedding photographers and portrait photographers. It's rarely that landscape photographers use them.

Most landscape photography is performed using available light and is often of scenes so vast that photographic lighting would stand no chance of illuminating.

You're right Chris about that, but this light that I'm designing isn't solely for landscape photographers, it's just a thought. To be honest with you, the course I'm doing doesn't really care about what your product is, it's more about developing an idea, modelling, testing and manufacturing it. I know it makes little sense for a landscape photographer to have a light of some sorts, but nevertheless, that is what I have chosen.

You're right Chris about that, but this light that I'm designing isn't solely for landscape photographers, it's just a thought. To be honest with you, the course I'm doing doesn't really care about what your product is, it's more about developing an idea, modelling, testing and manufacturing it. I know it makes little sense for a landscape photographer to have a light of some sorts, but nevertheless, that is what I have chosen.

[quote] I know it makes little sense for a landscape photographer to have a light of some sorts, but nevertheless, that is what I have chosen.[/quote] Always willing to help genuine enthusiasts/students in their research, but this just looks like a bad choice by your own admission. :(

Quote: I know it makes little sense for a landscape photographer to have a light of some sorts, but nevertheless, that is what I have chosen.

Always willing to help genuine enthusiasts/students in their research, but this just looks like a bad choice by your own admission.

Hey Snapper, Is it worth me going a light for general photographers? I do know some photographers who take photographs outside, not of landscapes, but of small subjects in a landscape (e.g. a rock around some grass). Could this perhaps be a better use? There is still time to change the criteria.

Hey Snapper,

Is it worth me going a light for general photographers? I do know some photographers who take photographs outside, not of landscapes, but of small subjects in a landscape (e.g. a rock around some grass). Could this perhaps be a better use? There is still time to change the criteria.

mmm As you say, above, It could be useful for doing wildlife ( butterflies ) or macro ( fungi ) so perhaps not such a crazy idea just maybe specifying landscapes ?

mmm

As you say, above, It could be useful for doing wildlife ( butterflies ) or macro ( fungi ) so perhaps not such a crazy idea just maybe specifying landscapes ?

[quote]Hey Snapper, Is it worth me going a light for general photographers? I do know some photographers who take photographs outside, not of landscapes, but of small subjects in a landscape (e.g. a rock around some grass). Could this perhaps be a better use? There is still time to change the criteria.[/quote] I'm not sure what kind of light you are thinking of, but jjgee is correct when he talks about flash for macro or freezing small bugs in flight. Many cameras have a built-in flash unit which can be used for lighting a foreground feature in a landscape, but that is to lift shadows and add detail so that the overall exposure is more balanced, and that's a technique referred to as fill-flash. This is also used in portraiture to balance daylight and remove shadows from the subject. Once you start looking at accessory flash units, you are into quite complicated territory and most are dedicated to work with the electronics of a particular brand of camera, rather than being able to work with all cameras. If you have a look through the "How To" section above.you'll find a variety of articles on lighting and flash which might help you narrow down what you're looking to find out?

Quote:Hey Snapper,

Is it worth me going a light for general photographers? I do know some photographers who take photographs outside, not of landscapes, but of small subjects in a landscape (e.g. a rock around some grass). Could this perhaps be a better use? There is still time to change the criteria.

I'm not sure what kind of light you are thinking of, but jjgee is correct when he talks about flash for macro or freezing small bugs in flight. Many cameras have a built-in flash unit which can be used for lighting a foreground feature in a landscape, but that is to lift shadows and add detail so that the overall exposure is more balanced, and that's a technique referred to as fill-flash. This is also used in portraiture to balance daylight and remove shadows from the subject.

Once you start looking at accessory flash units, you are into quite complicated territory and most are dedicated to work with the electronics of a particular brand of camera, rather than being able to work with all cameras. If you have a look through the "How To" section above.you'll find a variety of articles on lighting and flash which might help you narrow down what you're looking to find out?

[quote]I am designing a light that photographers (specifically landscape) can use[/quote] then later [quote]this light that I'm designing isn't solely for landscape photographers, it's just a thought. To be honest with you, the course I'm doing doesn't really care about what your product is[/quote] I don't want to sound rude, I just want you to stop and think about this for a little longer before you start on this road. How much thought have you given to this? Have you ever used studio lights / speedlites / flash / strobes? Do you understand anything about how much light is needed and for how long for photographic exposures? How cameras exchange information with lights? It all sounds a bit suss. Your threads [link=https://www.avforums.com/threads/questionnaire.2239958/]here[/link] and [link=https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/questionnaire.18860276/#post-32884294]here[/link] were locked because of the way you are going about this.

Quote:I am designing a light that photographers (specifically landscape) can use
then later

Quote:this light that I'm designing isn't solely for landscape photographers, it's just a thought. To be honest with you, the course I'm doing doesn't really care about what your product is

I don't want to sound rude, I just want you to stop and think about this for a little longer before you start on this road. How much thought have you given to this? Have you ever used studio lights / speedlites / flash / strobes? Do you understand anything about how much light is needed and for how long for photographic exposures? How cameras exchange information with lights?

It all sounds a bit suss. Your threads here and here were locked because of the way you are going about this.

Whilst most landscapers don't use lights, it is not unknown - especially to pick out specific foreground detail. Personally, I can see some merit in the idea - especially if the warmth of the light could be changed with the minimum of fuss and without the need for additional gadgets.

Whilst most landscapers don't use lights, it is not unknown - especially to pick out specific foreground detail. Personally, I can see some merit in the idea - especially if the warmth of the light could be changed with the minimum of fuss and without the need for additional gadgets.

Just started to have a go on your questionnaire, but its poorly designed, with some questions being too general and others not having an option of "not applicable". I suggest you have a chat to your tutor and rework it. Adam

Just started to have a go on your questionnaire, but its poorly designed, with some questions being too general and others not having an option of "not applicable". I suggest you have a chat to your tutor and rework it.

Adam

Will do, thanks!

Will do, thanks!

I would say it is going to be difficult to come up with anything innovative that isn't already available, even lights for landscape photography are covered by high intensity torches (yes they are used to great effect by some landscape photographers to illuminate distant detail in twilight and night time photography.) It would appear that you are clutching a bit at straws here and a more specific plan is needed....

I would say it is going to be difficult to come up with anything innovative that isn't already available, even lights for landscape photography are covered by high intensity torches (yes they are used to great effect by some landscape photographers to illuminate distant detail in twilight and night time photography.)

It would appear that you are clutching a bit at straws here and a more specific plan is needed....

I have updated both surveys and have (hopefully) improved them. Let me clarify my position. I am doing coursework for my design and technology GCSE and for this, I have to produce a prototype of a product. This product by no means will be manufactured to be sold, it is merely a prototype. The course itself wants you to choose a problem worth solving but it does not mark you on how original the problem is, it must merely be a problem where there a few to no solutions available on the market. The course wants you instead to focus on developing an idea, testing it, modelling, prototyping it etc. My problem is that, when doing studio-esque, portrait photography outside, extra lighting is needed and products such as soft boxes are large and impractical to carry, not very resistant to weather conditions and can get easily blown around by the wind (I have consulted with 5 professional photographers on this). I haven't decided yet what the product will look like, how it will function etc, I merely have the criteria for which it should fulfill. The survey serves to help clarify/extend this criteria with which the product should follow. Remember, the problem isn't the sole purpose of this course, I just have to develop it and give evidence for this to get the marks. I apologise if I have been impolite, but perhaps I should've clarified my position earlier. I'm not used to internet forums so I don't know their parameters. I am not a scam, I just need to do some research with photographers, by way of a survey, to help better the criteria for my product. If you don't wish to do the survey then don't, I am in no way compelling you to. I am not hacking into your emails and targeting you with phishing emails, despite me turning up and asking you to do a survey. I understand the survey doesn't look very well structured but all I'm interested in are your answers. Besides, I have created it on SurveyMonkey, the world's largest survey-creating software and it is completely safe and harmless. Thank you for your time and hopefully you understand my position. Part 1: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BTJW2X8 Part 2: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/QSNDVXX

I have updated both surveys and have (hopefully) improved them.

Let me clarify my position. I am doing coursework for my design and technology GCSE and for this, I have to produce a prototype of a product. This product by no means will be manufactured to be sold, it is merely a prototype. The course itself wants you to choose a problem worth solving but it does not mark you on how original the problem is, it must merely be a problem where there a few to no solutions available on the market. The course wants you instead to focus on developing an idea, testing it, modelling, prototyping it etc. My problem is that, when doing studio-esque, portrait photography outside, extra lighting is needed and products such as soft boxes are large and impractical to carry, not very resistant to weather conditions and can get easily blown around by the wind (I have consulted with 5 professional photographers on this). I haven't decided yet what the product will look like, how it will function etc, I merely have the criteria for which it should fulfill. The survey serves to help clarify/extend this criteria with which the product should follow. Remember, the problem isn't the sole purpose of this course, I just have to develop it and give evidence for this to get the marks.

I apologise if I have been impolite, but perhaps I should've clarified my position earlier. I'm not used to internet forums so I don't know their parameters. I am not a scam, I just need to do some research with photographers, by way of a survey, to help better the criteria for my product. If you don't wish to do the survey then don't, I am in no way compelling you to. I am not hacking into your emails and targeting you with phishing emails, despite me turning up and asking you to do a survey. I understand the survey doesn't look very well structured but all I'm interested in are your answers. Besides, I have created it on SurveyMonkey, the world's largest survey-creating software and it is completely safe and harmless.

Thank you for your time and hopefully you understand my position.

Part 1: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BTJW2X8
Part 2: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/QSNDVXX

[i]it must merely be a problem where there a few to no solutions available on the market[/i] Well there are p;enty of options already. Battery powered studio flash and off camera speelight systems, both of which can be remotely controlled from the camera. All at various price points. Photographers also utilise other sources such as work lamps, and the latest LED ones are relatively inexpensive and efficient. I suggest you also look at Lume Cube. I do see a use in landscape, for illuminating nearby structures and objects. Outdoor people photography too. But all can be catered for with existing gear. I'm not being negative, that's the state of things currently. You need to come up with some sort of improvement in usability or performance in some way, and then make sure you don't infringe other's intellectual property.

it must merely be a problem where there a few to no solutions available on the market
Well there are p;enty of options already. Battery powered studio flash and off camera speelight systems, both of which can be remotely controlled from the camera. All at various price points.
Photographers also utilise other sources such as work lamps, and the latest LED ones are relatively inexpensive and efficient.
I suggest you also look at Lume Cube.

I do see a use in landscape, for illuminating nearby structures and objects. Outdoor people photography too. But all can be catered for with existing gear.

I'm not being negative, that's the state of things currently.
You need to come up with some sort of improvement in usability or performance in some way, and then make sure you don't infringe other's intellectual property.

I'm more focusing on the usability of the light and its practicality (foldable, well-built, lightweight, can attach to bag, very utilitarian etc). I'm not focusing so much on the science of lighting, it may be that I adapt an existing light and create a new housing for it, for example. The light could also double as a torch when walking in the dark. It depends on what I choose. I understand that there are a plethora of options out there. I'm not trying to copy them and then make them out of a different material, it's more the structure around the light as opposed to the technicalities of the light itself.

I'm more focusing on the usability of the light and its practicality (foldable, well-built, lightweight, can attach to bag, very utilitarian etc). I'm not focusing so much on the science of lighting, it may be that I adapt an existing light and create a new housing for it, for example. The light could also double as a torch when walking in the dark. It depends on what I choose. I understand that there are a plethora of options out there. I'm not trying to copy them and then make them out of a different material, it's more the structure around the light as opposed to the technicalities of the light itself.