Distinction Criteria
Updated 20/1/24 (See list at the bottom of the post)
The Criteria - A2:2 Apply Problem solving skills in response to a creative brief
Ideally, problem solving is integrated into your main body of work, seen in several components of what you do during the production of your work.
- The reflection you produce after you've completed your research if written up in-depth can be seen as problem solving as you make sense of it and explain how it influences your initial idea.
- All of the shoots you produce prior to your final shoot are Test shoots where you try things out, trying different, light, cameras, film, media, models, locations, techniques, processes, lenses and more, trying to establish which approach suits your idea as it develops. The use of test shoots and experiments in themselves are methods of problem solving so are an essential part of your process.
- Sketches/drawings/diagrams/lighting floor plans these all count as examples of problem solving so should be used as frequently as possible.
- Mood boards image research pages - that show that you've collected images to help form and inspire ideas.
- Posing reference image/diagrams these too are solutions to the problem of posing models. Demonstrate that you use these when shooting.
- Person + Background + Symbol + Involvement is a problem solving formula that can be used when shooting.
- Analysis in your reflections is probably the most advanced method of problem solving used usually when working at distinction level - used in your reflection, it's evidence that you've questioned your methods and approach and come up with conclusions as to how you can improve your work practice/photography.
- Analysis of fitness for purpose and suitability again, seen in your reflections after each of your practical activities/test shoots.
- Critique/comparison - Look at your outcomes and compare and contrast with the work you've looked at in your research - how does it compare in terms of quality?
*Note your reflections are probably the most important written parts of your work as it's where your analysis and critique happens. Frequent, coherent and in-depth Reflections are indicative of working at Merits and Distinction levels.
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Aspects of your work that can pose problems and therefore offer opportunities to show that you are able to problem solve include...
Film too fast, too slow, too grainy, not grainy enough making it difficult to print, lacking contrast, too contrasty.
Cameras - Too big, unfamiliar, too complicated, doesn't have suitable lens range, needs a tripod, EV range too small, Needs film - can't access film or afford, too involved, too much effort, doesn't integrate with college lights.
Light - Wrong direction, too much contrast, too flat, insufficient, wrong colour, too bright, can't access equipment, can't get access to studio to use, have to book, have to wait for (natural light), Have to time use of (natural light).
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Thorough engagement and confident application of ideas generation_________________
This is addressed by producing good quality in-depth research that feeds directly into your own work. The more varied, relevant and in-depth your research the more likely you are make links between your research and your own work. The more research you do, including independently sourced research the more you'll be able to generate ideas. To this end it's important that once you've completed your initial research you keep looking at other visual work, looking for other ideas that might be influential to your work and ideas. This additional research should be added mid project and might be as simple as additional images and some very simple explanations of how it's helpful to you at this stage.
To reinforce the worth of your research - once it's completed you should reflect on its usefulness explaining it's connection with your initial idea. Furthermore if you add mid project research, you should also mention this in your next reflection explaining how it was instrumental in influencing and developing your idea/work.
Experimentation, testing______________________________________________
Your work needs to show that you've tested, tried and experimented with a range of different ways of producing your work. You can't simply produce one set of images, shot in one way, you need to 'Develop' the idea, method and technique you apply to the images, constantly looking at any problems that arise and demonstrate how you resolve these problems... Test things out, try different ways and experiment and record and analyse your activities (Reflection).
Sustained Reflection _________________________________________________
Sustained (Continually) You're only going to attain the higher grades if you continuously write up reflections. You should use the prompts (See link in sidebar) and produce reflections either once a week or once you've completed a significant part of your work.
The reflections should be where the majority of your written analysis is seen... Where you analyse the impact of your work - why it was useful, what you've learned, how it impacted on your practice, how it helped to address the assessment criteria, what you might have done differently and what would have been the impact of doing it in that different way. Other aspects that can be analysed in the reflections are how you've resolved problems - explaining what the problems were - be self-critical. You can analyse and explain the worth of any mid project research too.
Intended meaning and function of work__________________________________
This relates to your own work - as you produce your work, you need to think of what it's conveying in terms of its meaning ... What are your pictures about, how might they be used, who would buy them or commission them? Where might you expect to see them?
This could easily be part of your analysis at each of the reflective stages, you could discuss how well the work is going in these terms and explain what you need to do to your work to improve it, so that the meaning is conveyed more effectively, and it has a realistic and coherent purpose.
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Using Bard GTP (Ai) I asked for 50 typical problems encountered in the production of both digital and analogue Photography it came back with...
50 Photography Problems across Digital and Analogue Media:
Exposure and Lighting:
- Underexposure/Overexposure: Capturing too little or too much light, resulting in dark or washed-out images.
- Improper White Balance: Unrealistic color casts due to incorrect white balance setting or lighting conditions.
- Hotspots: Bright, blown-out areas in the image losing detail.
- Shadows: Loss of detail in dark areas due to insufficient light.
- Motion Blur: Unsharpness caused by camera movement or subject movement during exposure.
- Camera Shake: Blurred images due to unsteady camera during the shot.
- Harsh Lighting: Strong shadows and uneven illumination, requiring advanced techniques to manage.
- Composition and Framing:
- Crooked Horizon: Tilted horizontal lines, creating an unbalanced composition.
- Dead Space: Unutilised areas in the frame that distract from the subject.
- Clichéd Composition: Uninspired framing following common but overused layouts.
- Headroom/Footroom: Improper space around the subject's head or feet leading to awkward framing.
- Competing Elements: Distracting background elements vying for attention with the subject.
- Leading Lines: Misused lines that lead the viewer's eye away from the intended focus.
- Technical Issues:
- Sensor Dust: Spots appearing on digital images due to dust on the camera sensor.
- Lens Flare: Unwanted light streaks or circles caused by bright light sources hitting the lens.
- Chromatic Aberration: Purple or green fringes at edges due to lens imperfections.
- Noise: Graininess in digital images, especially noticeable in low-light situations.
- Focus Misfires: Blurry images due to incorrect autofocus or manual focus error.
- Improper Shutter Speed: Blurry images or motion blur for fast-moving subjects or slow shutter speeds.
- Incorrect Aperture: Undesired depth of field due to setting the aperture too wide or too narrow.
- Film and Processing (Analogue Only):
- Film Loading Errors: Improper film loading leading to light leaks or blank frames.
- Expired Film: Loss of image quality and color shifts due to using expired film.
- Improper Developing: Mistakes during film development affecting image quality and consistency.
- Scratches on Film: Physical damage to the film causing light leaks and image imperfections.
- Light Leaks: Unwanted light entering the camera, resulting in fogging or light streaks.
- Dust on Negatives: Scratches and spots on negatives arising from dust during film handling.
- Digital Workflow and Editing:
- Undigitized Film: Inability to access stored analogue images if not yet scanned or digitized.
- File Loss/Corruption: Losing digital images due to data storage issues or file corruption.
- Backup Failures: Inadequate backup strategies leading to permanent image loss.
- Over-editing: Excessively altering images, leading to unnatural looks and loss of detail.
- Destructive Edits: Applying irreversible edits without preserving the original image.
- Calibration Issues: Inaccurate monitor calibration affecting editing decisions and color accuracy.
- Creative Challenges:
- Subject Ideas: Difficulty finding interesting subjects or angles to photograph.
- Finding Inspiration: Overcoming creative slumps and maintaining consistent motivation.
- Telling a Story: Using photographs to effectively convey a message or narrative.
- Connecting with Viewers: Evoking emotions and reactions in viewers through images.
- Developing Personal Style: Finding a unique artistic vision and voice in photography.
- Overcoming Technical Limitations: Working around technical limitations to achieve desired results.
- General Issues:
- Carrying Equipment: The burden of carrying heavy camera gear, especially during travel or outdoor shoots.
- Weather Conditions: Adverse weather like rain or strong sunlight limiting shooting opportunities.
- Time Constraints: Limited time availability for capturing the perfect shot.
- Safety Concerns: Risks associated with photography in challenging environments.
- Cost of Equipment: High initial investment and ongoing costs for camera gear and accessories.
- Learning Curve: Continuous learning and skill development required to master photography techniques.
- Additional Specificities:
- Portraits: Posing models, lighting setups, capturing natural expressions.
- Wildlife Photography: Approaching animals without disturbing them, capturing elusive moments.
- Macro Photography: Capturing intricate detail
Look at this post here - imagine the planning and problem solving that went into this...
You could potentially create a stand-alone page using these images here explaining what would have needed to be considered and planned. What problems could arise what has the photographer done to mitigate any potential problems.
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