Portraiture A4: Photographer Research
Portraiture A4: Photographer Research Assignment guidance: ●
For this assignment you are required to conduct a range of tasks (below). The purpose of this assignment is to help you develop your understanding of other photographers and artists and how their work can inspire and influence your own developments in Photography. Understanding and responding to the work of other professionals both past and present is an essential part of your progression as a practicing photographer.
●
The presentation of you research, exploration and developments, including the final outcome of this assignment will provide you with evidence for two assessment objectives (AO1 & AO4).
●
CLICK HERE to learn more about the assessment objectives.
Task 1: Research and explore 'Portrait' Photographers and their work. You can perform a search for relevant artists in a number of ways:
○ Visit the library and explore the 'Photography/Portraits' section of available books. ○ Visit a gallery or exhibition showing 'Portraiture' work on display. ○ Conduct a web-search using a popular search engine e.g. National Portrait Gallery / The Photographers Gallery
● During your exploration, try to find examples of photography which you find interesting/ inspiring. With a little more research you should identify and record some 'key' facts and information about the work you source:
● Ensure you are always using the STICI framework as a guide to support your written work. ○ Who made the work? ○ What is the work about? (content/subject)
Portraiture
A4: Photographer Research ○ What was/ were the influences/inspiration for the work? ○ When was the work created? ○ Save copies of the work(s) for presentation and development. ● You should also find and record your knowledge and understand of the photographer(s). Try to include: ○ Where the photographer(s) grew up ○ When the photographer(s) lived/ worked ○ What 'style' or 'type' of photographic genre the photographer is best known for. ● More importantly, you need to include your OWN thoughts and opinion about the photographer(s), and, their work.
○ How does the work make you feel? ○ What do you think the work is about? ○ Does the work hold any symbolism, or deeper meaning? ○ Try to form arguments for, and against your opinion to give your work depth.
Portraiture A4: Photographer Research Task 2: Presenting your research ● After you have conducted thorough research and exploration, you need to 'present' your findings inside your sketchbook/ journal. ● Consider: ○ Making a title-page ○ An introduction page (what your research/ work is about) ○ An information page (to provide facts and knowledge about the photographer(s). ○ Examples of work page - To provide examples of photography created by the artist/photographer. ○ A 'Link/ Connection' page - To explain how/ why you believe that your chosen photographer(s) 'fit in' with your current/next project (Portraiture), and also more importantly, how your chosen photographer(s) and/ or their work has/will inspire(d) you to create your own response. ○ A conclusion page - Providing a short 'summary' of what you have learnt/ discovered during your research, and how your own work may develop because of this. ● Before you present any of your work, try to make your sketchbook/ pages interesting by using background effects, colours, titles etc. – Remember every page counts! ● Give some thought and care to how your information is displayed/ presented.
Portraiture A4: Photographer Research Task 3: Working from your photographer(s) examples. Select 3-4 examples of artwork/ photography created by your chosen photographer(s), using a page for each example try to replicate the work. ● Experiment in the style of these photographers with your idea. ● Experiment with different Photoshop tools ● Experiment with different processes- scanning, photocopying, digital manipulation, and printing. Place your examples on the page, and then along-side or near-to, include your own version. Develop your own work further by using your chosen photographer(s) style, technique, subject and/ or medium to create an original development piece. Produce 2-3 alternative development pieces, exploring different possible outcomes. Try to include at least one alternative development using ICT/ software, for example 'image manipulation' using Adobe Photoshop. This will provide an excellent stepping stone for your next assignment (A5 Montage). All development work should include a strong level of annotation/ comments. ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Why did you do it? How did you do it? How does it relate to your theme/project? Were you influenced by a photographer? How/Why? Was it successful? How would you improve it next time? Comment on atmosphere, mood, colour and composition.
Your sketchbook / journal must flow and make sense!
Portraiture A4: Photographer Research Task 4: Links/ connections with your own work 1. This is 'preparation' and evidence which is connected throughout the Portraiture unit – A3
Recreate & Emulate and A5 Montage. 2. The work that you produce/ create for assignment 3 (Recreate & Emulate) and assignment 5
(Montage) should have a clear link/ connection to the work that you do for this assignment (A4). Using new sketchbook pages, dedicate these to the initial planning and preparation for your next assignment. Consider: ● Making a title-page - 'Links to my Portrait Response' ● A mind-map page - which illustrates how your own work will 'link' to the photographer(s) that you explored during this assignment (A4). ● Include an example of art/ photography created by your chosen photographer(s), which has inspired your own idea/ work. ● Explain why this work was/ is inspirational, and what elements you will try to use within your work, and why. ● Create/ produce some initial examples/ studies that illustrate how your idea/work is linked to the work of your chosen photographer(s). ● Clink here to go to the 'LINKS' page on the department eLearning site, for help in getting started with your research.
Portraiture A4: Photographer Research In order to gain the maximum marks for your coursework it is important to meet the criteria set by the examining board AQA. The four key words to remember are:
“Successful sketchbooks, workbooks and logbooks demonstrate genuine engagement with the subject and the ability to explore a range of ideas and processes. They can shed light on a personal journey of discovery and provide genuine insights into candidates’ intentions and the development and resolution of their ideas. They can also provide insights into the extent that candidates have been influenced by the work of others.”
We will be marking you on your ability to:
Portraiture A4: Photographer Research TIPS: ●
Visit our online ‘Art Gallery’ to see more examples.
●
Go to our YouTube page to watch demo’s and tutorials.
●
Plan your assignment carefully using your sketchbook to write, explain and document your intentions and ideas. Utilise the resources available to you.
●
Take time to assess your work as it progresses and make changes where appropriate. Be critical of your work and others. Get used to annotating all of your ideas in order to refine and develop your work as it progresses throughout the project.
●
Learn how to annotate your work effectively and with meaning so that it can communicate itself to a larger audience.
●
Think carefully about your composition. Take a step back and view your work objectively. Take the time to plan your photographs. Explore a range of presentation ideas, consider either a series of photographs in the form of a story or sequence eg. a diptych or triptych.
Portraiture
A4: Photographer Research Do you have a smart phone? If so you can use the camera on your phone to access online resources to help you with this assignment. All you need is a QR code reader app, point your phone web browser to one of readers below: ●
http://reader.kaywa.com
●
http://get.beetagg.com
●
http://www.quickmark.com.tw/En/basic/download.asp
●
http://europe.nokia.com/support/product-support/nokia-n80/phone-software/smartphone
●
For iPhone users. Go to iTunes and search for: QR Code reader
Once you have a reader/ app on your smart phone. Simply take a quick snap of the code(s) below, and you will be redirected to the required resource, directly on your phone.
www.twava.co.uk.