How to...

...create a mindmap.

Once you have selected a theme you need to consider all the different pathways in which your project can go, along with all its different interpretations.

Create an attractive title in the centre of the page; ensure that it is visually well presented and neat. You can use a computer if you would prefer, along with traditional art techniques. Think about the following points and create a mind map exploring your theme:

What does the theme make you think of in terms of objects and places?

What does the theme make you think of in terms of how it feels (physically and emotionally)?

What does the theme make you think of in terms of different locations or environments?

...analyse artists.

Use the websites link to search and discover photographers that are relevant to your chosen theme and your interpretation of it, make sure to:

Record the name of the photographer, date of birth/death and nationality.

The name and date of the series.

The name and date of any images you analyse.

Here is a guide to analysing artists, answer the following questions about each artist and their images to ensure the best possible success in AO1.

The artist's name, the image's title and its date: Ensure for every image you have the following information.

A brief history of the artist: Where is the artist from? When were they born/died? Where was the image taken? What country are they from? (This is important as it puts the image into context).

What is the image/series about? Research and explain what the artist's intentions are. What concept, message or meaning did the artist want to communicate or explore?

Describe the image visually. What is the image of? What is the main focus? What made you think this? Describe the image visually using key features and vocabulary.

How has the artist achieved this meaning, concept or message? What techniques has the artist used to create the meaning/concept or message? Remember to discuss composition, colour, lighting, perspective, body and facial language, camera effects (long exposure etc.), connections to social or other elements.

How will you be influenced by this artist? What techniques, concepts or visual effects are you most inspired by? How will you take influence and use it in your work?

...use keywords.

Aperture and Depth of Field: Your aperture controls the level of your depth of field.

Shutter Speed: The shutter speed controls how long you expose your film/sensor.

Colour: Colour is, in any visual media, a powerful and important tool in establishing meaning, communicating messages and making visually strong images.

Perspective: Perspective can be created using shapes, pattern or lines. By capturing perspective we can create depth to the image.

Rule of Thirds: The rule of thirds concerns photographic composition within a rectangle frame. Splitting it into thirds.

Light and Tone: Light can create mood and atmosphere.

Negative Space: Negative space is the empty space not occupied by a subject(s).

Filling the Frame: Filling the frame means filling the image with an object, showing no edges.

Body and Facial language: Facial and body language is an important aspect that can convey an emotion or feeling in a person. Discuss open/closed arms, certain expressions and how it alters the perception of the figure.

...present your artists research.

Present each artist on a double A3 spread.

Ensure you use visual strong examples of their work.

Try to avoid ‘small’ Google images, as they can become pixelated, which looks awful!

Use clear and concise language with terminology when appropriate.

Use the guides and resources to help you.

...plan and create a shoot.

When creating a shoot you must consider the following points:

How will your shoot link with your researched artists? Through a similar concept, visual effect etc?

How will you capture the very best visual images? Ensure you consider:

Lighting: Make sure to have the very best lighting! Soft natural lighting shows off beautiful tones, where indoor lighting looks flat and weak. Also the right lighting can create a powerful atmosphere.

Composition: This is how your photo is arranged and is a major aspect in photography. Not only can it be a visual aspect but also create narrative, express emotion or highlight a part of your image as more important.

How can you approach your subject in different ways, different compositions, different focuses and different visual effects?

...present a shoot.

Use this guide to help you ensure that you are successful in demonstrating your ability to reflect and review your ideas.

Intentions:

What were your intentions and initial ideas for the shoot? Link this to artists.

Thumbnails:

Present your thumbnails and highlight clearly your strongest images.

Enlarged images:

Present your strongest images in your sketchbook neatly and clearly. Present the unedited version alongside your edited version, however make it smaller in size, so not to seem more important and draw attention away from your “best” work.

Experimentations:

Use your best images and experiment with them, exploring possible variations using appropriate techniques, for example Photoshop techniques, printing on different materials etc.

Annotations on image/series:

What is the image/series about? Explain what your intentions were. What concept, message or meaning did you intend to communicate or explore?

Describe the image visually. What is the image of? What is the main focus? Describe the image visually using key features and vocabulary.

How have you achieved your meaning, concept or message? What techniques have you used to create the meaning/concept or message? Remember to discuss composition, colour, lighting, perspective, body and facial language, camera effects (long exposure etc.), connections to social or other elements.

Development onto the next shoot? What would you like to build on and develop in your next shoot? How will you further enhance your project using aspects of this shoot?

...produce a shoot.

What is a successful photograph? Use this guide to ensure that you achieve the very best you can in your Assessment Objective Three.

Lighting: Make sure to have the very best lighting! Soft natural lighting shows off beautiful tones, where indoor lighting looks flat and weak. Also the right lighting can create a powerful atmosphere.

Composition: This is how your photo is arranged and is a major aspect in photography. Not only can it be a visual aspect but also create narrative, express emotion or highlight a part of your image as more important.

Sharpness: Make sure that your image is sharp, showing an out of focus image, unless as a purposeful effect, demonstrates a lack of skills and understanding. Ensure you have good enough lighting and a fast shutter speed, if not use a tripod!

Noise and ISO: Make sure your ISO setting is the lowest it can be! (100 or lower). Too high and it will create ‘noise’ in your shadows, creating a ‘fuzzy’ look to your work.

Use this guide to help you ensure that you are successful in discussing your experiments and thier relevence to your project.

Annotations on experimentations:

What is the intention of the image/piece? Explain what your intentions were. What concept, message or meaning did you intend to communicate or explore in their experimentation?

How have you been influenced by your chosen artists? Which artists have you been influenced by (It can be more then one)? How have you been influenced by them? Discuss visual and conceptual influences as well as relating to your overall idea.

How have you communicated your message via experimental techniques? How have you used alternative methods to communicate your message? What is the significance of your experiment and how does it 'emphasise' your image in terms of visuals and concept? Remember to use keywords found up the page.

Development onto the next stage? What would you like to build on and develop with this experiment? (Discuss this even if you plan not to). How could you further enhance your project using aspects of this shoot? (Discuss visual, artists links and most importantly concept!)