Glossary

 Glossary____________________________________________________

• Art Photography - Photography produced primarily art - often seen is a 'Series' of images forming a larger body of work. Frequently produced over a long period of time. The intention generally is that the work is sold via galleries, art dealers or websites to individuals. It tends to be clever in some way and produced to exceptionally high standards, often using methods, materials, techniques and processes that are difficult to acquire. It acquires status and value through peer review, critique, uniqueness, rarity and collectability. Its themes cover all topics and genres, but frequently the work deals with The Human Condition. 
• Audience - People that see photography, who are interested in photography who may view or buy it and use it in some way. .
• Backing your work up - This is one of the most important things you should do. To back your work up means to regularly save a 2nd copy of it. At the start of the course you need to decide whether  (1). You save all of your work to a USB key. If you use a USB key it is essential that you somehow have your name on it preferably on the outside - maybe even have it on its own key ring? Also name the USB key using your student number so that if a lecturer opens it they'll be able to find you and send you a message. (2). Save all your work to "The Cloud". As soon as you sign in to your college account you'll have access to Microsoft's One Drive. Its important to use one or the other as if you mix them, you're work will be all over the place and mixed up and you'll not be able to locate it and find it. 
• Client - People, organisations and businesses who commission and buy in photography and photographic services. The people and organisations that would pay you to do photography for them... The Client. Asda would be the client who commissions the photographs on the walls of their fashion departments in their bigger stores. Asda would approach an Advertising Agency and they would act as the middle man who organises the shoot and chooses the photographer/studio to produce the images.  
• Commission - A photographic commission is a contract between a photographer and a client for the photographer to take specific photographs. The commission may include specific requirements for the subject matter, style, composition, or other aspects of the photographs. Photographic commissions can be for a variety of purposes, such as:
• Advertising: To promote a product or service.
• Editorial: To illustrate a news story or article.
• Corporate: To document corporate events or to create images for corporate branding.
• Fine art: To create photographs that are considered to be works of art.
• Photographic commissions can be one-time projects or long-term contracts. The photographer and client typically negotiate the terms of the commission, including the fee, the number of photographs to be delivered, and the deadline for delivery.In Summary...

A photographic commission is a contract between a photographer and a client for the photographer to take specific photographs. The commission may include specific requirements for the subject matter, style, composition, or other aspects of the photographs. Photographic commissions can be for a variety of purposes, such as advertising, editorial, corporate, or fine art.

• Context - The situation in which something happens, exists occurs.
• Demographics - The analysis and observation of human populations and their habits, what defines them in terms of class, religion, colour, ethnicity, education, geography, wealth. In terms of photography - does there seem to be demographic profile that you can attribute to their opinions, understanding and use and interest in photography? 
• Design sheet - We use "Design sheets" in place of traditional sketchbooks. This is the result of on-line learning during lockdown where we were forced to produce our work in a digital format. We recommend using the 3 column word document (See link in sidebar) which is pre-formatted. Additionally, BTEC and other course providers now insist that your work is digitized in order that they can call the work in and check to see if it conforms to their standards and that the lecturers mark it correctly. We can also check the work for plagiarism (Copying) if your work is in a digital format. 
• Development (Ideas and skills). Not to be confused with 'Developing images' as in processing the film or prints in chemicals. "Development" in this context, is where you improve your work in terms of the way it looks... You make the images better in some way or you improve your idea or concept. Or you may add something to the image so that its meaning is clearer and more coherent. 
• Editorial Photography - Photography that is used in conjunction with written articles and text seen in magazines, books and articles on-line. 
• Hard-copy Usually referred to as Hard-copy work - this is real stuff that you can pick up - prints, drawings, diagrams, photographs etc. Things you need to scan in order to embed in your design sheets. 
• Objectivity - In the context of photography and particularly portraiture, it's useful to consider having your portrait shot for passport use, when you do this, there's a set of rules or parameters you have to adhere to. There is no room for subjectivity and the process is wholly cold and mechanical giving little or no consideration for your feelings or ideas as to how you might wish to be depicted. This approach combined with stripping away other visual elements in the image says little about the subject, potentially, leaving questions unanswered about the image and its purpose and use.
• Operational Context - This refers to describing the context in which Photography is conducted or used - referring to the type of Photography, how and why it exists, its purpose and use. For instance images of families shot in a family portrait style; The Operational context for this is "Social Photography" Professional images generally shot in a studio, the clients house or at a location of their choice. Images are shot and the client chooses the best of the images and makes a decision as to what size they want to order and how they are presented. The work is paid for up-front e.g. prior to the printing and framing and then delivered to the client (The family), The copyright is retained by the Photographer. 
• Plagiarism: See here if you copy anybody else's work - another student or text from your research without referencing or crediting them, you can be removed from your course and college and in some instance can end up in legal trouble. 
• Progression - In the context of your BTEC this relates to what you're doing next after the course and throughout your work you need to review how useful your learning is in relation to your progression goals. Your progression goal is usually HE education, e.g. you intend on progressing from this course onto a Degree program in Photography or a HND. But you may intend on progressing into a work environment... Photographic assistant, Freelancer (Self employed), apprentice, or employed in one of the many peripheral jobs associated with Photography. As your idea firms up and becomes more coherent you should write about it in your work in conjunction with the research, practical learning and reflections, 
• Purpose - The description of how photography is used - what is it for, what is it's purpose and function. Is it art, advertising or something else? Is its intention to inform, question, educate, sell, annoy, provoke, express, record, etc,? 
• Advertising Agency - “The work of a tailor is to collect the raw material, find matching threads, cut the cloth in desired shape, finally stitch the cloth and deliver it to the customer.” Advertising Agency is just like a tailor. It creates the ads, plans how, when and where it should be delivered and hands it over to the client. Advertising agencies are mostly not dependent on any organizations. These agencies take all the efforts for selling the product of the clients. They have a group of people expert in their particular fields, thus helping the companies or organizations to reach their target customer in an easy and simple way.
• DSLR Digital Single Lens Reflex - relating to small format digital cameras. This is your camera that you use in college to produce your digital work on. Most professional Photographers use DSLR's as they are versatile, small and have inter-changeable lens systems and an array of additional accessories making them the perfect camera for most Photography in a variety of situations and applications. 
• Set; When you set up a shoot you arrange your subject/model in a position within the image for the photograph - this might be a plain wall somewhere or it might include features of the room and you may have even built or constructed the space and the elements within the image. This is your "Set". On the course you should always take a shot of your set that includes the positioning of the lights and the tripod/camera/photographer to demonstrate how you set the whole thing up and arranged the lighting. 
• Subjectivity - (Compare with Objectivity). Most Photography is conducted in a subjective manner, you care about how you're depicted if you are the model and the photographer either takes this on board and works with you to create an image, or they try and suggest something about you using other visual language tools - background, lighting, view-point, use of colour etc. The image is about you and aims to say something about you be it positive or negative. 
• Subjectivity is the quality or state of being based on or influenced by personal opinions, feelings, or experiences. It is the opposite of objectivity, which is based on facts or evidence.
• Subjectivity is a natural part of the human experience. We all see the world through our own unique lens, shaped by our individual experiences, beliefs, and values. This means that our perceptions of reality are always subjective, to some extent.
• Subjectivity can be seen in all aspects of our lives, from our personal relationships to our political views. For example, two people might have very different opinions about a movie, simply because they have different tastes in movies. Or, two people might have very different views on a political issue, simply because they have different values.
• Subjectivity is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it can be a source of creativity and innovation. For example, artists and writers often use their subjective experiences to create new and original works of art. Subjectivity can also help us to connect with others on a deeper level, as we share our own unique perspectives and experiences.
• However, it is important to be aware of our own subjectivity, so that we can avoid making biased judgments or decisions. For example, if we are aware that our own experience of a particular situation is subjective, we may be more open to considering other people's perspectives.

In terms of Photography...

Photography is subjective because it is a form of art, and art is inherently subjective. The photographer makes choices about what to photograph, how to compose the image, and what settings to use. These choices reflect the photographer's unique perspective and vision.

Here are some specific ways in which photography is subjective:

Choice of subject matter: The photographer decides what they want to photograph. This could be anything from a landscape to a portrait to a street scene. The photographer's choice of subject matter reflects their own interests and what they find visually appealing.

Composition: The photographer decides how to arrange the elements in the frame. This includes the placement of the subject, the background, and any other elements in the scene. The photographer's compositional choices can create a sense of balance, harmony, or tension in the image.

Settings: The photographer chooses the camera settings, such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. These settings affect the exposure of the image, as well as the depth of field and other creative effects. The photographer's choice of settings can create a bright and airy image, a dark and moody image, or anything in between.

Editing: After taking the photo, the photographer may edit it using software. This could involve adjusting the exposure, color, contrast, and other aspects of the image. The photographer's editing choices can be subtle or dramatic, depending on their desired effect.

Even documentary photography, which is often seen as more objective than other genres, is still subjective to some extent. The photographer still makes choices about what to photograph, how to compose the image, and what to include or exclude from the frame.

Ultimately, the meaning of a photograph is determined by the viewer. The photographer may have a specific intention in mind when taking the photo, but the viewer interprets it through their own lens. This is why two people can look at the same photograph and have completely different reactions.

Subjectivity is one of the things that makes photography such a rich and rewarding art form. It allows photographers to express their unique perspective and vision, and it allows viewers to connect with images on a personal level.

Advertising Agencies - Meaning, its Role and Types of Agencies (managementstudyguide.com)