Photography A-Level SoW

2015-2016
Course Plan

AO1: Develop ides through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating
analytical and critical understanding.
AO2: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as
work develops.
AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress.
AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections
between visual and other elements.
Ter
m

A1

Learning objectives

Learning Activities

To discuss what makes an

interesting photograph

Use selection of photographs to stimulate discussion.

To be familiar with the

structure of the course

To introduce a miniproject: Portrait

photography

Write a reflection on why you are interested in

photography. Also consider any other art forms and
their influence on you, citing specific examples where
possible.
- Why photography? What are my interests?
What makes an interesting photograph?
Choosing a subject.
Present a series of portraits and discuss. What makes
an effective portrait? Rather than take pictures of
people, take pictures about people.

Sketchbook/portfolio
progress
Buy a sketchbook to keep
a portfolio
Consider area of interest
for focus of portfolio

Choose area of interest

and find examples of
related current practise

A1

A2

To become familiar with

shot lengths, framing
and composition
To become familiar with
the concept of the
concepts of depth of

Demonstrate examples of different shot lengths (PP)

and explain uses and effect.

Write introduction (link to

reflection)

Demonstrate how to use aperture, shutterspeed

and ISO and how they impact on images. Discuss
how they work together, possible uses and how they

Complete introduction and

assemble initial research
with commentary

Photography A-Level SoW

field, aperture,
shutterspeed and ISO
To practise using
shutterspeed
A2

To practise using
aperture
To introduce viewpoint
and angles

S1

To introduce Photoshop
S1

To explore the use of

colour and
monochrome
photography
S2

S2

Revise composition -

2015-2016
might be used in portfolio focus.
Practise photographing movement:
- How is the result affected by altering
shutterspeed?
Practise photographing people:
- How does altering aperture affect the main
subject of the image?
Present a series of photos making deliberate use of
camera angles and viewpoint for effect. Stimulate
discussion and encourage experimentation:
- How does viewpoint impact on subject
- How does it affect the way the viewer views the
subject?
Demonstrate basics of Photoshop and how it can be
used to dramatically adjust outcomes of photography:
- What can I achieve with Photoshop?
- How does Photoshop impact on planning a
Photograph?
- How might I use it in my portfolio focus?
Look at a range of photographs that make deliberate
use of colour and monochrome to achieve specific
effects.
- What does the use of colour contribute to the
photo?
- How does it impact on the viewers reception?
- How does it impact the overall composition?
Practise using colour and monochrome for specific
effects.
Explore a range of examples of photos and discuss

Photography A-Level SoW

Introduce rule of 3rds,
balance/symmetry and
looking for lines

Explore narrative
photography
Su1

Explore still life

photography
Su1

Explore landscape
photography
Su2

12

Explore fashion
photography
Explore documentary
photography
Moving images

2015-2016
their composition.
- How do they make use of the rule of 3rds (if at
all)?
- How does it use symmetry/balance?
- Does it draw on/create specific lines for the eye
to follow?
Practise making use of lines, rules of 3rds and
symmetry.
Explore a range of photographs that convey
stories/narratives:
- What is narrative?
- How is it conveyed?
- What elements within the photo contribute to
the sense of narrative?
Take a picture (or series of pictures) that convey a
narrative.
Present a range of images of still life and discuss what
is interesting about them:
- How is it captured?
- What techniques have been used?
Take pictures presenting still life in an interesting way.
Present a range of landscape photography and
discuss:
- How is the landscape captured?
- What techniques have been used? What do
they add?
- How has it used light and shadow?

Camera movement: tracking, panning, tilting, handheld

Photography A-Level SoW

2015-2016
Sound: Soundtrack, dialogue, sound effects
Editing video: cutting

Example staring points: AS

Our society
Our society is made of up individuals and groups, each with their own visual identity. Consider the work of photographers and
filmmakers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Elliott Erwitt and Catherine Balet, who have been inspired by aspects of our
society. Investigate appropriate examples and produce your own work which captures the diversity of our society or a
particular group within it.
Nature
Some photographers do not simply record nature. They transform and interpret it, enabling us to see objects and
environments in different ways. Ernst Haas, Karl Blossfeldt and Dayna Bartoli have responded to this idea in different
ways. Taking nature as your theme, consider appropriate examples and create work from your own observations.
Stories, ideas, and issues
Photographers such as Martin Parr, Fay Godwin and Stephen Shore have, on occasions, used a series of photographs to
tell a story, to communicate a particular idea or to reflect on an issue. Make a personal response based on this theme,
making reference to the work of others.
Fashion photography
Photography is used extensively in the fashion industry. Sometimes, the images are highly individual and various
photography techniques have been used effectively to create them. Examples can be seen in the work of Nick Knight,
Rankin, and David Bailey. Consider a range of techniques and the work of established fashion photographers and produce a
personal response.

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2015-2016

Experimental imagery
Photographs and films can reveal what we might otherwise fail to see. Through a range of processes and techniques, different
effects can be explored and interesting images can be created. Nicky Thompson, Harold Edgerton and Alexey Titarenko
have responded to this idea in different ways. Consider a range of processes and techniques and produce your own work in
response to this idea, making reference to the work of others.
Example staring points: A2
Activities and lifestyles
Many photographers and filmmakers have produced work that is an objective record of peoples activities and lifestyles.
James Ravilious reflected up rural life. Bill Brandt recorded images of life in London during and after the Second World War.
Martin Parr photographs contemporary society. Investigate appropriate examples and create a personal response.
Movement
Bill Wadman, Dominic Pote and Alexey Titarenko have represented movement in their work in various ways. Consider
appropriate examples and produce your own work that explores the possibilities of representing movement in still
photography.
Issues of concern
Film and still photography can be used to convey personal concerns or to bring specific issues to the attention of a wider
audience. Examples can be seen in the work of Fay Godwin and Barbara Kruger and in television programmes on wildlife
and the environment. Consider appropriate examples and create a response to an issues that concerns you.
Image and text
Photographers and filmmakers have often used text to support their work or to provide contrasting interpretations of their
images. Consider different approaches by artists and photographers such as, Robert Frank, Ralph Ueltzhoeffer and
Gillian Wearing. Produce your own work based on your research.
Drawing with light

Photography A-Level SoW

2015-2016

Photography literally means drawing with light and this becomes clear when looking at the cyanotypes of Anna Atkins, the
photograms of Laszlo Moholy-Nagy and the more recent work of Susan Derges. They have all worked without a camera to
produce unusual images. Investigate relevant examples and produce your own work based on this idea.
Mixed media
Many photographers, artists and designers have explored the idea of working with a rnge of media when constructing their
images. Arnulf Rainer, Andy Warhol and Sally Mankus have all worked in this way. Consider appropriate examples and
produce your own mixed-media images on a theme of your choice.
The urban environment
The urban environment has been a source of inspiration for many photographers and filmmakers. Lee Friedlander, Otto
Steinert and Eugene Atget have responded in different ways. Consider various approaches and produce your own work,
making references to appropriate work by others.
Multiple imagery
Some photographers have sought to challenge the concept of the photograph recording the single decisive moment by
assembling or combining photographic images. David Hockney, Michael Spano and Ianthe Ruthven have explored space
and time using this approach. Consider this idea and produce your own work in response to this theme, making reference to
appropriate work by others.

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2015-2016
Original starting points/themes

Film noir
Moody, dark and dramatic. For many film noir was genre of crime film or fiction characterized by cynicism, fatalism, and
moral ambiguity. The French word "noir" translates to "black" or "dark," and many suggest film noir describes a style of
filmmaking rather than an actual film genre. Visually it was portrayed with high contrast and low key lighting, making
deliberate use of shadows and highlights to create an air of mystery. Italian photographer Emiliano Grusovin has built a
striking collection of film-noir shots. Consider this idea and produce your own work in response to this theme, making
reference to appropriate work by others.
Cubism
Cubism was a revolutionary new approach to representing reality invented in around 1907/08 by artists Pablo Picasso and
Georges Braque who aimed to bring different views of subjects (usually objects or figures) together in the same picture,
resulting in paintings that appear fragmented and abstracted. Stephen McNally and David Hockney have continued to
explore this idea using photography. Consider this idea and produce your own work in response to this theme, making
reference to appropriate work by others.
Beauty and ugliness
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This saying explains that ideas about beauty and ugliness are entirely subjective they
can vary between individuals, societies and cultures. Rick Guidotti is a photographer known for challenging set ideas about
beauty. Consider various approaches and produce your own work, making references to appropriate work by others.
Futurism
At the beginning of the 1900s, futurist artists positively portrayed speed, noise, machines, pollution, and cities; they
embraced the new world that was upon them. Fearing and attacking technology has become almost second nature to many
people today; the Futurist manifestos show us an alternative philosophy. Enrico Pedrotti and Filippo Masoero continued
this idea using photography. Consider this idea and produce your own work in response to this theme, making reference to
appropriate work by others.