Formative feedback
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Student name
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Amanda Callow
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Student number
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507285
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Course/Unit
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PH3: Major Project
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Assignment
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1
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Type of tutorial
(eg video/audio/written) |
Written
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Overall Comments
The two genres here: stage and landscape photography are so diametrically opposed in feel, style and content. The first challenge is to make a decision which of these you are going to pursue for Assignment 2. It is up to you but one thing I think you need to consider is this: of the two genres, which do you feel closest to and which do you feel you can innovate with?
The stage photography looks like standard stage photography to me. Despite the attempt to do “something new” by using double exposures or layers, it is still essentially performers in coloured lights and smoke!
The best work here is the black and white work. It feels more authentic and close to you, rather than something you’ve seen somewhere else. It’s an important point of maturity: do you want to emulate what you’re already seen or do you want to find something more personal? Only you can answer this question.
The image lay out on the Word file have come out a bit messed up. If you can send me a pdf file in future if you want them to be laid out in a document like this. Your image file is 203Mb! That’s a huge file to be sending over the internet. You need to reduce the size of your photographs before sending them; 1500px along the longest edge and between 120-200ppi.
The two genres here: stage and landscape photography are so diametrically opposed in feel, style and content. The first challenge is to make a decision which of these you are going to pursue for Assignment 2. It is up to you but one thing I think you need to consider is this: of the two genres, which do you feel closest to and which do you feel you can innovate with?
The stage photography looks like standard stage photography to me. Despite the attempt to do “something new” by using double exposures or layers, it is still essentially performers in coloured lights and smoke!
The best work here is the black and white work. It feels more authentic and close to you, rather than something you’ve seen somewhere else. It’s an important point of maturity: do you want to emulate what you’re already seen or do you want to find something more personal? Only you can answer this question.
The image lay out on the Word file have come out a bit messed up. If you can send me a pdf file in future if you want them to be laid out in a document like this. Your image file is 203Mb! That’s a huge file to be sending over the internet. You need to reduce the size of your photographs before sending them; 1500px along the longest edge and between 120-200ppi.
Feedback on assignment
Demonstration of technical and Visual Skills, Quality of Outcome, Demonstration of Creativity
Stage Photography
Demonstration of technical and Visual Skills, Quality of Outcome, Demonstration of Creativity
Stage Photography
You’ve captured the performers gestures, poses and facial expressions in some of these shots.
I get the sense that because you can’t control the subject or the lighting, you’ve got to be
lucky and that means moving around and taking 1000’s of shots. I can’t say I think you’re doing anything different from what I’d expect of stage photography. So, try to look around the
subject, take shots of people in the crowd, people hanging about outside the venue, people
queueing for the box office etc. Try to look at things that aren’t obvious. But also remember,
you’re looking for strong portraits not just pictures of people playing guitars.
Your streaked Photoshopped images of the band photos are a step towards extreme stylistics that would probably work on a band website. But they look like a sketchy start rather than finished, polished images - which is often what bands want.
Your streaked Photoshopped images of the band photos are a step towards extreme stylistics that would probably work on a band website. But they look like a sketchy start rather than finished, polished images - which is often what bands want.
Colour Landscape
Some of this work is extremely pastoral, traditional and aesthetic. Blurred waterfalls, macros of dew on a leaf and sunsets. Is this the kind of landscape photography you’re aspiring to make? You will need only patience (waiting for the light to be right) and a taste for hiking and travel to seek out this kind of subject. It may be difficult to find a landscape scene that hasn’t already been photographed in this way!
You’ve got to realize when you’re doing something that is cliché - like multiple exposures of wind turbines and long exposures of running water. It’s not that you can’t do it – you can do anything you want – but is it visually and conceptually effective? Look at how imaginative Ted Lee’s double exposure of the puddle is!
Photo 22 has a replaced sky. You need to be aware that if this technique doesn’t work, you shouldn’t use it. Such a rough black edge line is simply unacceptable. I guess you can find ways of perfecting the technique on YouTube etc.
Some of this work is extremely pastoral, traditional and aesthetic. Blurred waterfalls, macros of dew on a leaf and sunsets. Is this the kind of landscape photography you’re aspiring to make? You will need only patience (waiting for the light to be right) and a taste for hiking and travel to seek out this kind of subject. It may be difficult to find a landscape scene that hasn’t already been photographed in this way!
You’ve got to realize when you’re doing something that is cliché - like multiple exposures of wind turbines and long exposures of running water. It’s not that you can’t do it – you can do anything you want – but is it visually and conceptually effective? Look at how imaginative Ted Lee’s double exposure of the puddle is!
Photo 22 has a replaced sky. You need to be aware that if this technique doesn’t work, you shouldn’t use it. Such a rough black edge line is simply unacceptable. I guess you can find ways of perfecting the technique on YouTube etc.
The Pier
The black & white photographs stand out among this work. They seem more real, more honest. It may be that this work could be built into an interesting series. But it is your choice. Not only are they strong compositions, there is feeling in them - the classic off-season seaside melancholy perhaps. And visually, you’re focusing on large, strong objects that express themselves in a sculptural way: the pier, the tower; and they dominate the frame.
The black & white photographs stand out among this work. They seem more real, more honest. It may be that this work could be built into an interesting series. But it is your choice. Not only are they strong compositions, there is feeling in them - the classic off-season seaside melancholy perhaps. And visually, you’re focusing on large, strong objects that express themselves in a sculptural way: the pier, the tower; and they dominate the frame.
Research
Context, reflective thinking, critical thinking, analysis
It is interesting to read your learning log says, “Photograph bands on stage in the style of Sugimoto or Lenkkeri”! It may have worked, but you didn’t do it!
Context, reflective thinking, critical thinking, analysis
It is interesting to read your learning log says, “Photograph bands on stage in the style of Sugimoto or Lenkkeri”! It may have worked, but you didn’t do it!
It looks like you’re working through the course well and doing the research involved. One of
the keys to really engaging with photography is to try to understand even one photographer
really deeply. It isn’t just about ‘style’ but about what they are expressing through their photos.
Learning Log
You’ve sent me a Word document, which is okay, but you may want to start thinking about having a blog which can be a good way of collecting your thoughts and of sharing with other students.
Learning Log
You’ve sent me a Word document, which is okay, but you may want to start thinking about having a blog which can be a good way of collecting your thoughts and of sharing with other students.
Suggested reading/viewing
Context
I note that you are reading David Bate’s “Key Concepts: Photography”. And you are studying photographers reasonably well. I think you need to find some photographers whom you really share an affinity of subject matter with. Obviously only you can know that. But it is really crucial at this point.
You should try to get to Tate Britain’s exhibition on Conceptual Art and also go on some OCA Study Visits because they will give you a chance to talk about photography with other students and tutors as well as listen to other people’s opinions and ideas.
Context
I note that you are reading David Bate’s “Key Concepts: Photography”. And you are studying photographers reasonably well. I think you need to find some photographers whom you really share an affinity of subject matter with. Obviously only you can know that. But it is really crucial at this point.
You should try to get to Tate Britain’s exhibition on Conceptual Art and also go on some OCA Study Visits because they will give you a chance to talk about photography with other students and tutors as well as listen to other people’s opinions and ideas.
Pointers for the next assignment
You need to find out where your inspiration is, where the fire is and work with it. If you love bands and music, follow them around and get a whole range of different types of photograph. If it’s landscape, then keep searching, travelling and honing what it is in the landscape that matters most to you visually and conceptually.
You need to find out where your inspiration is, where the fire is and work with it. If you love bands and music, follow them around and get a whole range of different types of photograph. If it’s landscape, then keep searching, travelling and honing what it is in the landscape that matters most to you visually and conceptually.
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Tutor name
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Robert Enoch
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Date
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29th April 2016
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Next assignment due
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14th July 2016
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