Lighting/studio activity

What are the different effects of one point and three point lighting?

One point lighting: this lighting is also known as the key lighting as it is used to light the subjects face and give them shape and definition. However, not using this light can also make a good effect if the photographer is going for a silhouette.
The key light is placed in front of the subjects face at a 30-60° angle where it can be maneuvered upward or down.

 Three point lighting: three point lighting use three lights all known by different names. It is made up by the key light which I have mentioned above. A fill light, this light is placed in front of the subject but on the opposite side of the key light, it is also often positioned at a lower angle to the key light. 

Why are filters and gels used in studio photography?

Using gels and filters help a photographer to create different effects to the image. Coloured gels all represent a number of varying moods i.e. yellow = happiness, purple = deep. 
Gels are quite an urgent option and can be used when a photographer uses a camera that does not have the use of different filters on either the actual camera or the lens. 
However, filters can be done using a specific camera or done during the editing process using software such as Photoshop. 

When would flash be used and why? 
This would be used in a situation where only poor lighting is available, places like this could be in reception areas, or ballrooms. Churches are also quite dark, however often flash is not promoted within churches so that is when changing settings is the better option.
Fill flash can also be used on bright sunny days, this would be done to avoid intense shadows caused by the sun and any hot spots created from the natural light.

What health and safety considerations are needed when working with lighting?

When using lighting in a studio for example there are many health and safety features that need to be considered when working with the lights.
Often enough, when using a number of lights it is very easy for all the wires from the lights to gather and quickly become a great hazard for anyone that is in the studio to easily trip over. It is important that these wires are kept out of the way as the photographer will be concentrating on photographing the subject and often wont see where he/she are stepping. 
The lights also get very hot quite quickly so it is best to avoid touching them during the photographic period and when taking them down at the end of a shoot, they should be turned off first and left to cool down for a while to avoid anyone burning themselves and it is extremely dangerous to put them back into their boxes whilst hot.
The Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) has been put into place to 'securing the health, safety and welfare of persons at work', 'protecting persons other than persons at work against risks to health or safety arising out of or in connection with the activities of persons at work', 'controlling the keeping and use of explosive or highly flammable or otherwise dangerous substances, and generally preventing the unlawful acquisition, possession and use of such substances' and also 'controlling the emission into the atmosphere of noxious or offensive substances from premises of any class prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph'.
It is also important that all the equipment used for the shoot is safe for the workers to use and they feel confident in using it. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (1998) states that all the equipment used should be:

• suitable for the intended use 
• safe for use, maintained in a safe condition and inspected to ensure it is correctly installed and does not subsequently deteriorate 
• used only by people who have received adequate information, instruction and training
• accompanied by suitable health and safety measures, such as protective devices and controls. These will normally include emergency stop devices, adequate means of isolation from sources of energy, clearly visible markings and warning devices
• used in accordance with specific requirements, for mobile work equipment and power presses