Research Prompts 2023 Y01

Prompts to generate written responses to your research (Art & Photography).

Your research work addresses Assessment Criteria AC1

It's important that your research work between September and March is produced at a high standard in conjunction with two or more of your tasks/projects.

Each task you're set, you'll be given the names of photographers or a type of photography you need to research and explore in some depth. In the Summer Task (Pinhole Photography) you'll have been given resources and shown a method for presenting the work. (See example below).The suggested method and quantity of work if completed will potentially help you to attain the higher grades - especially if you use and respond to the prompts listed below.

When you produce your research work, you should use the prompts highlighted in this colour initially in conjunction with the images you use, these prompts relate to showing that you understand what kind of photography it is you're researching, where it's seen and used, who buys and uses it and why knowledge of it is important in terms of your own personal progression e.g. working as a photographer or going to University to study photography further.

You should aim to analyse why the research is of use to you in terms of influencing your idea or your own photography, you should use the prompts to discuss visual aspects that are of interest that you might adopt in your own work. These connections should be written about in your work analysing why you've adopted them and how they have been influential in forming your ideas (Visually and contextually). 

*Note It is important that you reference your sources of information to produce your written responses (Bibliography). These need to be added as a list as shown above in the image at the end of the work dark blue. (HTML links).

The light blue blocks of text are quotes used from your research that help to reinforce any point you're making about the work you're studying. These quotes should stand out from the main body of the text making it obvious that they are quotes and not your own written work. You work cannot be made up of anymore than 10% of quotes per page. (See more details below relating to quotes). 

Industry_____________________________________ 

In each of the tasks set for your research explain and identify what parts of the Photographic Industry might use the Photography and why. Where would it be seen and how would it be used? (Key words to use… Industry.).

 

Function/Purpose____________________________ 

Looking at the examples you’ve found or the potential use that this type of photography could be put to. What are its strengths in terms of Function – use words such as the key words below to offer your analysis  (Key words to use… Stimulate, express; provoke; inform; improve; function, sell.).

Clients______________________________________ 

In term of examples of where this type of photography might appear and be used, identify either known or potential clients for this type of photography. For instance would you imagine seeing this type of photography being used in any context in Asda or Tesco stores? Identify scenarios where a client might use this type of photography – explain why it would suit the Client’s needs. (Key words to use… Client; Needs; Context.).

 

Needs______________________________________

Discuss the client’s needs – why would they choose this type of photography – why does it suit their purpose and requirements. What does this type of photography bring to the creative process that isn’t easily replicated using other approaches and methods? (Key words to use… Client; Needs; Purpose; Requirements.).

 

Users_____________________________________ 

Who are the users? Why does this type of Photography appeal to the people that buy it – who are they? What is this type of photography's USP (Unique selling point). Are the users of this type of photography a part of an obvious Demographic? Discuss this in terms of age groups, education, interests and class. (Key words to use… Users; Appeal; USP; Demographics.).

 

Progression/Value___________________________ 

Once you've completed the above and have a good sense of where this type of photography has a place within the world of Professional photography, explain/analyse your thoughts on how useful this knowledge is in terms of your own progression/learning, as you make your way through education (University) and into the world as a freelancer. (Key words to use… Progress, University, HE Education, Freelance, artist, alternative approach,.).

 Now use the remainder of the prompts to complete your research page.

Narrative___________________________________

Is the image a part of series? Do you need to see the other images in the series to make sense of the Narrative e.g. the story behind the images? Or is the Narrative obvious in the single image – analyse how the narrative is conveyed. What is the story – how do you know from elements within the image? Has the formula Person + Background + Symbol + Involvement been used? Explain.

Colour or Black and white______________________

Explain why the image is B&W if it’s not colour? Is the reason because of the images age and it’s been shot on B&W film? Does the fact that it’s B&W or colour have an impact on the way the image is perceived – is colour an important aspect to the image does it convey meaning in some way? Is it B&W to create a sense of mood and drama? Explain in some detail and *analyse.

(Key words to use… Mood, drama, perceived, impact, convey, meaning.).

Body language/Facial expressions_______________

Look at and analyse the body language and facial expressions of the people in the image/s. Comment on it – is it relevant, is it a part of the story – what significance has it on the impact of the image.

(Key words to use… Eye contact, passive, aggressive, indifferent, confrontational, expression.).

Empathy & Relationships_______________________

Look at the photographer and they are in relation to the subjects/people in the images. Does the photographer share the same status as the subjects in terms of things such as… Values; Religion; Ethnicity; Race; Politics, Wealth, Beliefs etc? Thinking about these aspects, are the images shot with a sense of impartiality/neutrality or do the images elevate or demean the subjects? Consider a white affluent photographer with a £15,000 camera and lens around his/her neck shooting images of people who have less opportunity in life – is this exploitative?

(Key words to use… Relationship, status, neutral, elevate, demean, impartial, exploitation.).

Materials____________________________________

If you can identify the materials used in the images and explain why they have been chosen for this purpose. Do the materials bring anything specific to the image that helps with conveying meaning or narrative. To identify hard-copy work in galleries use the prompt ‘Sold at auction’ pre-fixed with the Photographers name, use the auction websites to ascertain the material images are printed on and the size and costs that the images sell for.

(Key words to use… Materials, Giclee, C-Type, Fibre-based.).

Techniques__________________________________

This refers to how the images have been shot… Tripod; Hand-held; Slow shutter speed, wide aperture, out of focus, panning, fill-in flash, Studio lighting, ambient light, Location photography, fly on the wall, Candid, wide angle, telephoto, large format, under-water, ariel, high view-point, low view-point, eye level, golden hour, subjectively, objectively etc. The more you read about photography and study photography, the more you’ll be able to refer to these techniques.

(Key words to use… All the above in italics.).

Processes___________________________________

Look at the images and or through your research establish what processes have been used. This can be traditional dish processing and film processing using analogue methods, or it may be post production methods using digital systems such as Photoshop. It might also include hand-rendered processes such scratching, degrading, staining, drawing onto the surface, painting, tinting etc. Identify these and analyse why they have been used – does it enhance the image if so how?

(Key words to use… Post production, analogue, digital, stages, development).

Equipment__________________________________

What equipment has been used (Use images of the equipment on the images page). Why has this equipment been chosen, why does it suit this particular photographic approach what if another approach using different equipment was used – how would that affect the images?

(Key words to use… used, chosen, choose, rationale, justified, necessary, fit for purpose.).

Constructed or natural_________________________

Through your research ascertain whether the images have been set up or is it real-life. Are the images fly on the wall documentary style or have the people in the images colluded with the photographer and therefore been controlled and set up to any extent, what are the clues or is this the Photographers style and approach? Or are the completely controlled as in Fashion photography or photography that has been commissioned in advance and everyone involved is fully engaged with the process?

(Key words to use… Constructed, arranged, planned, candid, stye, process.). 

Genre______________________________________

Analyse and or explain what genre of Photography the images belong to… Fashion, portraiture, Fine Art, Landscape, advertising, industrial, editorial, amateur, architectural, documentary, Photojournalism etc.

(Key words to use… Any of the above in italics.).

Background__________________________________

Backgrounds are important – look at the background and explain how and why it’s been used. If it’s a plain background – what colour is used, what is the psychological and culture significance of the colour and does that matter in this image? If its place or a set, what does that tell you about the subject – is it used as part of the narrative – analyse in terms of socio economics – what does the background tell you about the person and who they are?

(Key words to use… Background, meaning, convey, narrative, Story, significance.).

Props_______________________________________

How are props used in the images – where do they feature, have they been introduced, and how do they help in conveying meaning and narrative.

(Key words to use… Props, meaning, convey, narrative, Story.).

Influence____________________________________

No Photography is original – everything has been seen before in some way. Identify who has influence the work, this is usually seen or heard about in interviews with the Photographer/Artist. Use an image on your image page that shows the visual connection and identify the work and artist/photographer that this photographer has  been influenced by.

(Key words to use… Influence, copied, aspects, connection.).

Style/Period_________________________________

Look at the images and analyse the styling and the period identified in the images. Have these been shot at that time or have they been styled retrospectively, this is often seen in Fashion photography, why has this been done? Is it because this is part of a trend? Or is the style associated with a movement or organisation e.g. a uniform. What does the style evoke or say about the image and or narrative?  (Key words to use… Trend, style, period, evoke, historic, modern, contemporary, current, retrospective, uniform.).

Mood______________________________________

Closely associated with aspects such as Body, language, lighting. If not mentioned previously, you can analyse this aspect as a stand-alone aspect of the image.

(Key words to use… Mood, dramatic, lighting, expression, body language, feel.).

Lighting_____________________________________

How has the light been used? Identify it and analyse it in terms of it being – Point, Diffuse, natural, ambient, warm, cold, harsh, high-contrast, flat, interior, fluorescent, tungsten, HMI, dramatic, subjective, objective, mood and colour cast.

(Key words to use… Any of the above in italics.).

Location____________________________________

This is similar to your analysis of the background. Why has the location been used, what does it convey in terms of the narrative? Where is it, does the background make sense in terms of the subject? Would there have been difficulties in shooting at this location – would have been hired or permissions sought in order to shoot images there? Is there anything distracting in the background, does it work in term of colour and content. Would it have been difficult to work in this location would the photographer have been disturbed by the public or locals?

(Key words to use… Narrative, story, difficulties, planning, Trespassing, locals, public, private.).

Operational Context__________________________

What type of Photography is it in terms of how it used. Is the work Art Photography, Commercial Photography, Advertising, Editorial, Stock Photography, Amateur etc? Explain/analyse what it is that makes it fit the operational context.

(Key words to use… Operational context).

Quoting in your work_________________________

 

Use quotes in the work; These should be made obvious (Light blue on the example). Also make them stand out by indenting them and making the text italic and using a different coloured font as above and use speech marks. Finally, link the quote to its source. Number each of the quotes in order and type the number in brackets at the end of the quote and the identify which website it comes from by putting the number at the end of the website address (HTML Link) in your bibliography.

 

Bibliography You must compile a bibliography e.g., include a list of HTML (Internet web page links) within the work – typically include 4, using the main websites you’ve sourced your information and images from. (Dark blue text on the example). Use smaller text e.g. 9 point.

Level 3 Photography resources (bteclinks.blogspot.com) (1)

 

*Analysis____________________________________

To turn your work into analysis as opposed to simply explaining. You need to use a questioning approach in your response. The easiest way to do this is to use the pre-fix what if? In your response, if you use the what if question it’ll offer you the potential to question your response and offer an alternative answer. This’ll will then generate a far more detailed and critical approach to your answer. Make sure you include the key word  when you do this. Key word/phrase to use -  What if?

 

 

1.       Materials – how do they impact on the image – why relevant – why used – what used?

2.       Techniques – Wide angle – telephoto – hand-held – differential focus – large, medium or 35mm format – digital or analogue – studio – location?

3.       Processes – planned – spontaneous – how organised – evidence of – collaboration – team effort – individual effort – art direction – personal project – commissioned -

4.       Light – bright – dark – sinister – type – source – diffuse – point – direction – colour – shadows – ambient – flash – studio – mixed

5.       Narrative – The story – meaning – message – single image – several images – obvious – ambivalent

6.       Mood – positive – negative – indifferent – ambivalent

7.       Composition – rule of thirds – horizon – viewpoint – dominant – subservient – neutral – diagonal – full – empty – busy – cluttered -

8.       Contextual influence and connections – artists – photographers – current events – politics – society – culture – environment -

9.       Location/Background – what does it tell us about the narrative/story?

10.   Influence – Does it look like the work of someone else – who has the Photographer been influenced by (Use image to show how).

11.   Tone – flat – contrast – stark – grey – high key – low key

12.   Line – frames within frames – leading lines- diagonal - horizons

13.   Form – Sense of depth and 3D - ness

14.   Colour/B&W  significance of either – harmony –discord – contrast - saturation

15.   Shape – angular/constructed/Geometric and hard – organic – natural – smooth - shapely

16.   Space – negative – busy – relevant – background – confused – juxtaposition – linked

17.   Pattern – repetition – geometric – regular – irregular

18.   Body language – neutral – aggressive – passive – sexual – assertive – masculine - feminine

19.   Facial expressions - Neutral – sexy – aggressive – upset – happy etc.

20.   Props – objects – things in image that help the narrative

21.   Period/style – 1960’s, 1970’s 2000’s etc

22.   Focus – Sharp – out of focus – differential – shallow

23.   Operational context – What type of image is it, where would it be seen – what is its purpose?
24. Size and scale - How big is the work when presented in galleries - why is this significant?

In your research avoid simply describing as that'll only attain a pass. You need to analyse the work your looking at...

Analysis is the process of breaking a complex topic or substance into smaller parts in order to gain a better understanding of it.  (1).

Evaluate - if your research criteria demands you evaluate you will need to explain how the research is of some use to you... why is it useful, how will it feed into/influence your own work?