PHOTOPEDAGOGY: photography at SCHS: A lesson outline

Year 12: 2015/16

SHARED BY: Elaine Humpleby

KEY THEME: Contextual Studies: engaging with the Science and Historical

context, presentation of research, creating a work journal

TITLE A LEVEL: Alternative Photographic Techniques

OVERVIEW / SUMMARY: this project is where you

evidence your research, knowledge and understanding

of technique and process – independence, resilience

and engagement will help success. At A level your

decisions about how to present your evidence of learning and developing should be personal and unique to your style

of learning BUT also show creativity: if you do not keep the evidence you cannot progress as effectively or earn the

marks. If YOU take responsibility and enjoy this you will be

more successful. Your work journals should be the most important thing on this course – look after them.

Process: Construct and personalise your progress journal: you may not use a pre-purchased sketchbook without

changing and personalising it– instead produce a format and

design you will enjoy working in from the materials provided by you and the teacher – start with a concertina booklet for

the first task . http://www.alternativephotography.com/wp/

OUTLINE OF ACTIVITIES / SEQUENCE OF LEARNING:

Each week we will complete practical activities in 3 or 4 lessons. In 1-2 lessons a week plus homework you

need to create a research and development journal keeping evidence of your learning creatively. Every

week you should add a new element showing your

learning, your research and your understanding of that week’s focus, technique, artist or process

KEY OBJECTIVES:

Produce a work journal that you will enjoy using, that suits your own style of work – and make it with care so

that it lasts. Make sure that you will be able to add pages, fold out sections and extend pages.

Challenge yourself and work to learn about alternative photographic techniques: DO NOT just include

the learning that takes place in the classroom: show initiative and challenge our knowledge as

teachers and artists – learn more than us, show off and show leadership.

INITIAL RESEARCH AREAS: 1. CYANOTYPES

2. CHEMIGRAMS

3. PHOTOGRAMS 4. PINHOLE PHOTOGRAPHY

5. ANTHOTYPES 6. SALT PRINTING

7. GUM BICHROMATE

8. NEGATIVE FILM / PAPER

9. Using a TLR film camera

KEY ARTISTS / REFERENCES / PROMPTS: http://www.alternativephotography.com/wp/processes is a good start

point. http://www.christopherjames-studio.com/build/ALTcyanotype.html is a link to a site by an outstanding theorist and artist – from here you can find out about many different techniques

TIPS FOR SUCCESS:

1. Research from a wide variety of digital sites, books and magazines. Visit galleries

2. Combine found images with examples of your own work 3. Find ways to write about artists, techniques and your own learning in a way that is succinct, interesting and

communicates what you have learned clearly EXTENSION ACTIVITIES:

Add extra sections to your journal – use envelopes / folded pages / concertina sections – link this to your

research – you could create and make your own photographic images for backing paper / main pages add diary log-book and afl sections to the journal. Include a bibliography and make a glossary