Practical Photography A8: Positive Light A Guidance Paper for GCSE Photography Students
Marc Grummert
A8 Positive Light Assignment guidance: The aim of this project is for you to learn, understand and demonstrate knowledge and skill in creating an original piece of Art work that will provide a personal response to the theme Positive Light. The project will allow you to develop your skills and apply your knowledge and understanding of photography through exploring a range of digital techniques and photographing subjects, objects and locations personal to you in and around the Academy with a specific focus on light. Be creative and think outside of the box. Think of the theme ‘Positive Light’ with both a metaphorical and technical view point. •
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 theme ‘Positive Light’. You must reference the work of other artists/ photographers and make clear links to your own, in order to assist your technical ability and inspire your ideas. Critically evaluate both your work and the work of other artists/ photographers. •
The project will follow a number of camera workshops. You will be encouraged to photograph as
often as possible in order to best further your technical skills and refine your ideas for A8. You will need to complete the following tasks to the best of your ability to ensure a complete project: T1 - Title Page & Mind Map T2 – Photographer’s Research – Documentary Themed. T3 – 1st Photo Shoot inc. HW Contextual Research (Information on the local environment). T4 – Skills Tests inc. White Balance Tests T5 – Exploring Light, Shutter Speed & Aperture Experiments T6 – Initial Edits T7 – 2nd Photo Shoot, Skills Tests - Evidence of Technical Development T8 – Refine Edits & Final Assignment Plan – Photoshop Edits T9 - Personal Response – Final Outcome for the Positive Light assignment.
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: Develop - Refine - Record - Present “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 investigations informed by contextual and other sources demonstrating
analytical and cultural understanding. •
Refine your ideas through experimenting and selecting appropriate resources, media, materials,
techniques and processes. ●
Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to your intentions in visual and/or other forms.
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Present a personal, informed and meaningful response demonstrating analytical and 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 OS.
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Consider a concept from which to approach the ‘Positive Light’ assignment; this may reflect your feelings about a particular environment or local area. With a unique importance or significance to you.
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Think about the positive message you are going to convey and how you will best represent your location of choice and the effects of light. When on location, write down how you feel when you are in that environment. Keep a note of your thoughts and feelings, as this will not only help you plan for your next shoot but also help your ideas develop conceptually when refining your work.
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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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Understand the exam criteria, the weighting of your coursework in relation to your exam and GCSE grade. 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 club 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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Think carefully about your chosen subject/ object. Take a step back and view your work critically. Take the time to plan your photographs. Remember the key rules when composing an image. These will have been explored and developed through class workshops.
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: 1. http://reader.kaywa.com 2. http://get.beetagg.com 3. http://www.quickmark.com.tw/En/basic/download.asp 4. http://europe.nokia.com/support/product-support/nokia-n80/phone-software/smartphone 5. 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.
http://www.twava.co.uk/a6-positive-light.php