A Level Photography

Taster session 2017

How is A level different to GCSE?

• Concept or Issue based• Level of commitment• Independence• Personal investment• Quality and skill• Depth of analysis• Workshops

How is my work assessed?

This is a 2 year A level courseProgression presentation at the end of Year 1

60% Personal Investigation (portfolio of coursework - approx. 15months)

40% Externally Set Assignment (approx. 9 weeks)15 hour practical examSketchbook of preparation work

How should I prepare for September?

1. Recording Images

Use this sheet to help with ideas to get you started and so that you take as many images as you can

Don’t be daunted by the number –in a single location you can easily take 50 images using different angles, viewpoints and framing

Think about how you can use different genres of photography to help – we will discuss this later in the session

Website Links which outline the main art galleries of major cities in the UK:

BIRMINGHAM: https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/england/articles/birmingham-s-best-art-galleries-brum-culture-guide/BRISTOL: https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/england/articles/bristol-s-10-contemporary-art-galleries-you-should-visit/EDINBURGH: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2011/oct/12/10-best-art-galleries-edinburghGLASGOW: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g186534-Activities-c49-t1-Glasgow_Scotland.htmlHULL: https://www.hull2017.co.uk/guides/theatres-museums-galleries/LEEDS: https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/england/articles/an-art-lover-s-guide-to-leeds-top-10-contemporary-galleries/LIVERPOOL: http://www.visitliverpool.com/things-to-do/arts-and-culture/galleriesLONDON: http://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/sightseeing/london-attraction/gallery/best-art-galleries-in-london#MCgBI63FKt3dKQaa.97MANCHESTER: https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/england/articles/the-artist-s-city-ten-manchester-art-galleries/NEWCASTLE: https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/england/articles/newcastle-upon-tyne-s-10-best-contemporary-art-galleries/NOTTINGHAM: http://nottinghamartmap.co.uk/SHEFFIELD: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g186364-Activities-c49-t1-Sheffield_South_Yorkshire_England.html

Gallery Visits for A level Photography

Over the summer you will need to visit at least one exhibition and write a detailed analysis of what you have experienced in order to prepare for the start of the course in September

The weblinks will provide you with some starting points for your research for which galleries or cities you might visit—make sure you check out the gallery website to see what exhibitions are on before you go

You will need to collect and write down information about what you see and think while you are there—see the guide on the next page for what sort of information to record

2. Researching Context

CONTENT:

Describe what you can see in the

artwork

Note the way it is framed, the size, or

the layout of the images/objects in the

space...

CONTEXT:

Information about the gallery,

exhibition, artist name, title, date,

material, size, and why the image was

created

COMPOSITION:

Analyse the use of or success of

different elements (write about the

formal elements eg: Colour, line, tone,

texture, space…) in relation to your

description

CONNECTION

Write about how the image might

connect to your work or ideas

How might it influence your

development, what ideas has it sparked

off?

Compare the image to another art

work in the exhibition (look for

similarities or differences

When visiting exhibitions record/collect/write down the following information:

Other ideas for collecting information:Collect any leaflets, postcards or exhibition booklets

If there is any text written on walls to describe the exhibition or next to the

image? If so copy it down accurately/photograph it if possible. It will have

useful information to use later on in your classwork.

If the exhibition has an online presence, copy and paste things off the

internet before the website is updated, as this information will be harder to

find once the exhibition is finished

Make a rough sketch of the artwork, layout or

space

COMMENT:

Express your opinions about

the artworks, ideas, exhibition

space, layout or form of the

work.

Discuss the impression you

get from actually seeing the

work rather than in a book.

Main Galleries in Sheffield city centre:

Millennium Gallery SIA Gallery (SHU Cantor)

Site Gallery Bloc Studios (Projects)

Graves Gallery APG (Archipelago)

Bank Street Arts Sheffield Contemporary

SHU Post Office (art degrees)

Sheffield

If it is possible take photos, but check before you do

Starting A Level Photography

Some of the main genres of

Photography:

Aerial Photography

Architectural Photography

Conceptual Photography

Documentary Photography

Fashion Photography

Fine Art Photography

Food Photography

Landscape Photography

Portraiture Photography

Scientific Photography

Sport Photography

Street / Urban Photography

Travel Photography

Wildlife Photography

• Explore all the genres of photography on the list

using them as search terms using the internet -

think about which are interesting to you and why

• Decide from this which 3 different genres of

photography that you think you will be

interested in exploring for your own project

(these need to be practical and do-able, not

every type of photography on the list will be

achievable for you!)

• Collect several images for each of your chosen 3

genres

• From these images and your research write your

own definition for and explanation of the

characteristics of each of the 3 selected genres

• Use these genres to help you think about the

ways you can tackle your photographic work

over the summer