a2 textures
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Guidance, support and help for students at the Wellingtoin AcademyTRANSCRIPT
MacroA2: Textures
Jerry Uelsmann
Assignment guidance: The aim of this project is for you to learn, understand and demonstrate knowledge and skill in macro photography, with a focus on textures.The project will allow you to develop your skills and apply your knowledge and understanding of macro photography through exploring a range of digital techniques, photographing a range of different textures, exploring surface detail and pattern. This project will enable you to develop your skills further and refine your development from A1.
● 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 ‘macro’,
under the theme ‘texture’. 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:
T1 - Title page: Textures T2 - Artists/ photographers research T3 - Contextual research, further conceptual researchT4 - Skills tests - evidence of technical developmentT5 - Own response photographsT6 - Photoshop editsT7 - Presentation research - explore ways to best present your workT8 - Personal response - Minimum 6 8”x10” final prints or equivalent.
● 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 - Experiment - 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 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.
● Using your initial concept from the nature assignment, consider how you
may develop this under the theme ‘textures’. In what context will you be
able to draw the two ideas together. Think abstract. Your textures do not
necessarily need to represent anything from nature. For example - you
could begin to explore surface textures in different papers, you may have
photographed trees in your nature assignment so your link could start
there. Where appropriate use text to accompany your images.
● Further develop and refine your skills in Photoshop. Create a series of
swatch boards where you are presenting a range of textures. Crop your
images so they remain ambiguous.
● As preparation towards planning your photo shoots, photograph a range of
textures from one particular environment. How do using the macro lenses
obscure the reality of the area? For example, how many different textures
can you photograph in the school kitchen?
● Justify your ideas, make sure the project flows. Always keep a fluid path in
your sketchbooks detailing the development of your project.
● Learn how to use the research that you have gained to inspire your own
work.
● Develop advanced skills in Photoshop, experiment merging the two
assignments together to work towards creating a final outcome that
represents a surreal landscape. Seamlessly combine both your images from
the nature project with the texture images you have created. * See the
work of Jerry Uelsmann and Irving Penn as a starting point for inspiration.
● 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.
● 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.
● 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. Alternatively a montage or
Hockney ‘joiner’ style landscape could be explored.
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.
AFL: Assessment for Learning.● Learn about the assessment objectives.
eGallery:● Take a look at some examples of work for this
assignment.
YouTube:● Go to the Visual Arts YouTube channel and watch
some Video resources for this assignment.
BritArt Calendar:● Keep up to date, and stay organised.
Colour Prints:● Request Colour print outs here.
Weblinks:● A set of useful weblinks
Visual Arts FB page:
Twitter:● Follow us on twitter and keep up to date with news
and events.