A2 Photography

Externally Set Assignment 2016

You have 14 weeks to carry out preparation work including visuals and notes to
explain ideas and prove your knowledge & understanding.
At the end of the 14 weeks you will complete a 15 hour Controlled Assessment
developing a final piece for the work you have studied and explored on your
chosen theme.
Your work will be marked on how well you:
AO1: Develop ideas through investigating the work of others
Demonstrate analytical and cultural understanding.
AO2: Review, modify and refine ideas
Experiment with and select appropriate media, techniques and processes.
AO3: Record observations and ideas
AO4: Produce a personal finished final piece
Make connections with the work of your chosen artist(s)
Demonstrate analytical and critical understanding

Preparation time:
February 1st May 9th
In photography lessons and your own time

Test Session:
Monday 9th May P1-5
Tuesday 10th May P1-5
Wednesday 11th May P1-5

A2 Photography ESA 2016

Choosing a question: you must choose a starting point from the

selection given. You must also select two artists to research from the
lists given related to each starting point. Think carefully about your skills,
what are your strengths and what are your weaknesses? This is the time
to show off what you are best at! If you want to work in the darkroom
or prefer to use only digital methods you can or you can combine
both.

Preparation work:
Week One and Two: Explore the starting point (AO3)
Explore the question you have chosen

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

!define the meaning of the starting point- (this is often just
one or two simple sentences)
!mind map your chosen theme- think of as many areas
that relate to the theme as possible. Identify areas/themes
within the starting point you are most interested by (make
this clear on your research)
!create a visual mood board of themes you are inspired
by- research and collect imagery/make quick sketches to
illustrate the possible direction of your project
!make a list of objects/imagery/scenes/subject you need
to photograph that relate to your chosen aspect of the
question
!Start to carry out an initial photoshoot based on the ideas
you have identified from your starting point

Weeks Three, Four and Five: Artist/Photographer Research and

Analysis (AO1)
*Week 3 is half term week- you will be expected to complete
this work at home
Create thorough research pages on your two chosen artists

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

!research
information
about
your
chosen
artists/photographer using the visual literacy sheet to add
notes about the visual characteristics of their workremember to use the visual characteristics as keywords on
your page
!collect visual examples of your artists/photographers

work- include recreations/work in the style of some of their

work as well as just print images
!choose three pieces of your artists/photographers work
to analyse in detail: composition, photographic genre,
style, materials, processes, colour etc using the visual
literacy sheet
!choose a piece of your artists/photographers work to
copy using appropriate materials/techniques to recreate in
detail
!define a shot specification for each of your
artists/photographers style- take a mini photoshoot that
reflects each of your artists/photographers style and
subject

Weeks Six, Seven and Eight: Visual research (AO3)

Recording in visual forms

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

!take a series of photographs of the chosen aspect of
your theme (at least 60 images)
*you can take digital and traditional SLR pictures
!Print off your contact sheet and annotate images- make
notes on composition, quality, potential etc. Explain why,
who, where you took the image and how they relate to
your theme. Record how you took the pictures- what
camera settings did you use? Did you use any other
techniques?
!Select a series (minimum of 5) images to print off larger
from your photoshoot/s. These images should reflect your
theme and your skill- they can be edited, but this must be
recorded through screen shots and notes.

Week Nine, Ten and Eleven: Development (AO1 and AO2)

*Week 10 & 11 are the Easter Holidays- you will be expected to
complete this work at home
Develop design ideas based upon your knowledge.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

! Based on your artists/photographers work create at least
THREE initial designs
!Try out a range of materials and techniques including trials
of the ideas you have developed to explore what works and
what doesnt . Make sure that you annotate the trials- how
do they relate to your theme/photographer? How have you
created them and what works/what doesnt?

Weeks Twelve, Thirteen and Fourteen: Final Designs (AO2 and

AO4)
Final design and controlled time preparation
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
!Use your research and designs so far to come up with a
developed design based on the themes you have selected
from
the
starting
point
and
your
chosen
artists/photographers work.
!Carefully annotate your design.
! Produce a detailed final design: exactly what your piece
will look like. Add notes to explain what youre doing step by
step and in particular explain how your work connects to
your artists work.
! make a mock up of your final design in your chosen
medium/techniques

Week beginning 9th May: 15 HOUR CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT

5 hour Test (AO1,2,3)

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
!Make the final piece- record your process by adding
versions of the image as it is completed and adding screen
shots- if you are working in the darkroom remember to
include test strips and information on exposure times
aperture settings etc.
!Add and evaluation. Take a photograph or add a small
image of your final piece to your book and describe any
changes between your final design and the finished piece,
explaining the reasons for these changes and how your work
links to the artist/photographer

Remember that 75% of the marks are in the preparation work

and if you are properly prepared the controlled time should be
relatively stress free!
TIPS:
Plan out your sketchbook- know what is going on each page
Type titles up, save time on drawing them out- use free font

websites to find some unique fonts!

Try to minimise timewasting by painting backgrounds- use dry
materials instead e.g cut torn paper, wrapping paper, coloured
papers, chalk pastel- (avoid oil pastel for backgrounds as they
are messy!)
Avoid double mounting images in sketchbooks
Write only in pencil so that mistakes can easily be rectified
Ask for help if you are stuck or struggling!
Email me if you need help/advice
rheaton@roundhayschool.com

Initial Ideas/notes:

Sketchbook Plan

Homework
Keeping on top of work is the BEST way to be successful and
avoid stress. Keep yourself organised!
Date set
Week 1

Week 2

Week 3
(half term)
Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Task/s

Date due

Week 9

Week 10
(Easter Hol)
Week 11
(Easter Hol)
Week 12

Week 13

Week 14