Studio A6: Front Cover
Assignment guidance: The aim of this project is for you to learn, understand and demonstrate knowledge and skill in studio photography, with a focus on creating a Front Cover to a resource of your choice. The project will allow you to develop your skills and apply your knowledge and understanding of studio photography through exploring a range of digital techniques, photographing a range of different subjects in a variety of studio locations, exploring light, colour focus and unique concepts. This project will enable you to develop your skills further and refine your development from AS level. ● You will record your ideas and research in your sketchbook. The research that you culminate will be displayed as a series of final prints in response to the title ‘Studio’, under the theme ‘Front Cover’. You must reference the work of other artists/ photographers and make clear links to your own. Critically evaluate both your work and the work of other artists/ photographers. ●
The project will follow a number of camera workshops, demonstrations and experiments. You will be encouraged to photograph as often as possible in order to best further your technical skills and conceptual knowledge. You will complete the following tasks to the best of your ability to ensure a complete project:
For this assignment you should invent, prepare, explore, develop and create a unique ‘Front Cover’ through the medium of Studio Photography. The concept for this assignment should be your own ideas / work. So long as you can justify the link and make connections to Studio photography, then this can be developed to suit. For example, the outcome could be an abstract representation of a story or fairy tale. It could be a depiction of an environment or institution, hobby or interest. The outcome can remain abstract and ambiguous or have a narrative and clear purpose. Be creative and use your imagination. You may choose to continue to work and develop ideas following your Personal Response. You will need to show clear links between your work and the work of other artists/ photographers. Evidence will need to be shown of technical ability and progression of both digital camera and Photoshop skills through preparatory work. The dimensions and quantity of prints for this assignment should be dictated by you – your response may take the form of a series of tear sheets, you may consider using text. Carefully consider the placement for your front cover – Book, Magazine, Comic, DVD, CD, Brochure etc. You will need to build a body of prep work prior to your final outcomes demonstrating your ability to research, resource, develop and refine your response with inspiration drawn from the work of other artists and photographers.
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: ● Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding ● Experiment with and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as your work develops ● Record in visual and/or other forms, ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, demonstrating an ability to reflect on your work and progress ● Present a personal, informed and meaningful response demonstrating critical understanding, realising intentions and, where appropriate, making connections between visual, written, oral or other elements.
This assignment is to be done in your sketchbooks and any digital work should be completed in Photoshop whilst working in Mac. ●
Further develop and refine your skills in Photoshop. Create a series of tear sheets where you are presenting a range of cover ideas and studio tests.
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As preparation towards planning your photo shoots, photograph a range of locations and subjects in a variety of studio environments. How does introducing artificial light obscure and affect the reality of the area? For example, consider taking the inside out and vice versa – try something new, experiment with a range of props.
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Justify your ideas, make sure the project flows. Always keep fluid paths in your sketchbooks detailing the development of your project.
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Learn how to use the research that you have gained to inspire your own work.
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Develop advanced skills in Photoshop, experiment merging a range of images together to work towards creating a final outcome that represents a montage style cover in the style of Annie Leibovitz.
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Understand the exam criteria, the weighting of your coursework in relation to your exam and AS and A2 level grades. Review and refine you work to develop and improve it.
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Be prepared to develop your research outside of school as well, always look for new ways to resource your projects. Attend Art/ Photography catch up sessions as often as possible, in order to utilise the resources and facilities available to you at the Academy.
TIPS: ●
Visit our online ‘Art Gallery’ to see more examples.
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Go to our YouTube page to watch demo’s and tutorials.
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Plan your assignment carefully using your sketchbook to write, explain and document your intentions and ideas. Utilise the resources available to you.
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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.
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Learn how to annotate your work effectively and with meaning so that it can communicate itself to a larger audience.
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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.
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
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http://get.beetagg.com
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http://www.quickmark.com.tw/En/basic/download.asp
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http://europe.nokia.com/support/product-support/nokia-n80/phone-software/smartphone
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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