Exploring Light...

Photography is ultimately about capturing light. The most important light source that remains since the early days of photography is the sun. Natural sunlight is constantly in flux; from the warmth of the morning, to the spectacular colors of the night, natural light still provides us with unlimited nuances of intensity and color.

Henry Fox Talbot

In August 1835, Talbot made the earliest known surviving photographic negative using a camera, a small photogenic drawing of the latticed window in the south gallery of Lacock Abbey.

LIGHT TASK

EXPLORING LIGHT

Create an image at several times of the day, the image must be of the same object, building etc..one in the morning, one around midday, one late afternoon and one at night.

Manual Camera Controls :)

Todays task will focus on Aperture!

The aperture controls how much light passes into the camera and regulates how much of the shot will be sharp.

The size of the aperture is measured in f/numbers (or f/stops).

NARROW DEPTH OF FIELD

This is where only a fragment of the scene is in focus. Use a low f.stop (f-4.5 or below)

WIDE DEPTH OF FIELD

This is where everything is in focus. Use a high f.stop (f.22 or above)

TASK: Create 10 images that show NARROW DOF and 10 images that show WIDE DOF :)

WEEK BY WEEK LESSON PLAN

Timetable for City and Guilds Level 1

WEEK	ACTIVITY
1 01/02/12	· Introduction to course · Tour of College · View City and Guilds Website · Basic Studio Induction · View and set up Blogger
2 08/02/12	· Finalise Cert/Award choice/Units · Camera Controls-Aperture and ISO · Camera Control exercise · Initial Ideas/Research Techniques · Review Images
3 22/02/ 12	· Recap Camera Controls · Camera Controls-Shutter Speeds and ISO · Camera Control exercise · Lenses/Filters · Review Images
4 29/02/12	· Introduction into Reflective Practice · Composition · Composition exercise · Photoshop Workshop
5 07/03/12	· Introduction into Evaluating your work · Photoshop Workshop · Introduction to Studio

6 14/03/12	· Introduction to Location Lighting · Studio
7 21/03/12	· Introduction to Darkroom Practice · Studio
8 28/03/12	· Portfolios · Studio
9 18/04/12	· Abstract · Tutorials
10 25/04/12	· Light drawing · Tutorials
11 02/05/12	· Stop Frame
12 09/05/12	· Pinhole Photography Workshop · Tutorials
13 16/05/12	· Tracking Criteria
14 23/05/12	· Printing Portfolios · Website presentations · Blogs · Tutorials
15 30/05/12	· Printing Portfolios · Website presentations · Blogs · Tutorials
16 13/05/12	· Final Critique

WEEK BY WEEK PLAN

Week 1

Introduction to course

Tour of College

View City and Guilds Website and view Open Framework

View and set up blogs

Week 2

Camera Controls-aperture and ISO

Week 3

Camera Controls-shutter speed/lenses and filters/Composition

Week 4

Introduction of reflective practice and blogs/Composition/Photoshop Workshop

Week 5

Introduction into evaluating your work/Studio

Week 6

Location lighting/Studio

Week 7

Portfolios/Studio

Week 8

Darkroom Workshop

Week 9

Abstract

Week 10

Light drawing

Week 11

Stop Frame

Week 12

Pinhole Photography Workshop/Tutorials

Week 13

Tracking Criteria

Week 14

Printing Portfolios/website presentation/blogs etc...

Week 15

Printing Portfolios/website presentation/blogs etc...

Week 16

Final Critique

City and Guilds Photography Level 1

City and Guilds Photography Level 1

Programme Title: CITY AND GUILDS PHOTOGRAPHY Level: 1 Assignment Title: SELECT Group: Start Date: Finish Date: Assessment Date: Assignment Ref. No: QSH 1-3 Unit / Module Title/s: Unit Specific Unit/Module Ref. No Unit Specific Success in this assignment will meet the following criteria: Unit Specific / Grade Descriptors / Assessment Criteria Via City & Guilds Qualification Handbook Lecturer/s: M.HOLLIDAY Student Name: Assignment Aims: The structure of this course is ‘Open Framework’ in that it offers students a complete and varied choice of whatever ‘Units’ they choose to study. The aim is to allow accredited learning to take place that is both open and flexible. Students can choose to study an Award, Certificate or Diploma, these are all outlined in the Qualification Structure, which you can obtain from the websites listed below. All of this can be found on the City and Guilds website;www.cityandguilds.com/44062.html With the Open Framework Assignment students are free to interpret how you explore each genre of photography. Candidate requirements for each assignment are clearly indicated on each City and Guilds Units. Assignment Brief: There are several stages that you must follow; Visit the City & Guilds website and download a pdf copy of the units you require from the Qualification Handbooks. Select from the 7512 Handbook the units that you wish to study. And print out only the copies you require (advice and guidance given). You must refer to the qualification structure and which units make up the Award, Certificate or Diploma. Each unit will contain information on the following; level, credit value, unit aim, learning outcomes, assessment and grading criteria. Assessment criteria will be available at all times to allow tracking to take place. Full guidance for candidates is provided in the assessment pack and via the tutor. Criteria charts and assignment marking and grading information is also provided in the assessment pack. You must take ownership and responsibility of the units and the paperwork you need. Full support for this is given via the City & Guilds website. This monitoring is vital because a lot of students will be doing different units at the same time. You are given guidance to set up your own blogger site, which will be the preferred method of working throughout the course. If you find this way of working not to your liking you may work in a sketchbook (examples available). Research: For all of the units you select you are expected to research the work of other photographers. In doing this you are required to record and evidence what you find in text, images, audio and videos which are relevant to the theme or genre of photography you choose. You will be given advice and guidance into photographers and artists to research. You are expected to take ownership of your unit and all work is encouraged to be student led with tutor support. This means that you will have the freedom to research and discover photography that is particular to you and your theme with full support from your tutor at all times. This research is all recorded in an online blog you need to visit www.blogger.com. This way of working will be fully explained and guidance will be provided throughout the course. Working online will allow you to supplement your work both at and away from college, and also allow me to support students more easily. A tracking system is employed which will help you to see which criteria you have met and when. Also I can comment on your work as it is produced offering support and guidance in time for you to adapt and improve your work as you go along. All comments and advice is dated and evidenced as to when it was given and what exactly was advised. All research for each photographer has to consist of your thoughts, ideas and critical analysis and must not consist of any ‘cut and paste’ information, as this cannot be marked as your own. What you must do with all research is to analyse what it is of value you can draw out and add of value to your own work. All research must be compared to the work you have produced. The blog is a form of self evaluation which is ongoing and allows you to evidence everything that you see and do whilst at college. Evaluations should take place all the time in the form of reflective practice, which allows you to improve and to raise your level of achievement. Evidence is the key word in that this must be present as proof of meeting the criteria. For your research you have the blog site, this should be used to its full potential with photographs, videos, audio and supporting text. A media rich website such as the Blogger can allow you to evidence what you discover through research in a variety of ways to suit the learner. Materials: All students are encouraged to work online via the Blogger and so wont need to print out any documentation. However some may choose to work via a sketchbook. All students will need a memory stick to allow all data / work to be transferable. Some units require the production of a portfolio and some do not so check your unit requirements very carefully. A recommended reading list will be provided to supplement learning which are available from the library or online. Required for Assessment: All students are required to research the work of a minimum of 5 photographers. From these you must collate at least 10 photographs and evidenced these in your blog . For each photographer you are required to write a minimum of 500 words– for level 3, 300 words – for level 2 and 150 words for level 1. All of this written work needs to be free written by yourself and not cut and paste (plagiarism). Assessment Method: All assessment criteria and methodology is available in the assessment packs available to download via the websites listed above. Tutor advice and support available at all times. All learning aims and expected outcomes will be clearly indicated and followed in the delivery program. Please remember that for adult 19+ courses there are no ‘Key Skill’ requirements should you see that mentioned on the City & Guilds website. Assessment and Grading: All assessment criteria and methodology is available in the assessment packs available to download via the websites listed above. Tutor advice and support available at all times. Criteria tracking will support all units taken and grade descriptors are available in the assessment packs. All blogs that you produce should have an associated criteria label attached to indicate or flag each blog that you produce. INITIAL CONTEXT STATEMENT City & Guilds Generic Framework (Level 1-3) The course itself is based around a flexible and student responsive curriculum in which the students visit the City & Guilds website and download their own selected units. The structure of this course is ‘Open Framework’ in that it offers students a complete and varied choice of genre of photography they may wish to study. The aim is to allow accredited learning to take place that is both open and flexible. Students can choose to study an Award, Certificate or Diploma, these are all outlined in the Qualification Structure, which you can obtain from the websites listed below.(Course Leaflet supplied) .The following information and structure via this website should allow any tutor to fill in due to absence. Also all the students can view past, present and future lesson structure. Inclusive Practice The course itself is all set online, that includes all schemes of work along with all lesson plans available for students to view. This is to allow a full inclusion from the learner as to the course. There is a feedback mechanism embedded in the blog which allows students to have their say and voice any concerns or worries about the course its structure and delivery. This allows the student voice to directly affect the next delivery of the scheme of work, and for any improvements that could be considered. Course Information All of this can be found on the City and Guilds website; www.cityandguilds.com/44062.html Candidate requirements for each assignment are clearly indicated on each City and Guilds Units. At all times students can view any aspect of the course from lesson plan, scheme of work and course outline / criteria from this website. The students have full access to how the whole course is marked and graded via the file downloads tab on this website, plus all other relevant blog entries from the tutor site. Resources The course includes use of cameras and related accessories, studio and portable lighting, location photography, image capture and the portfolio presentation of images, from a variety of subjects either on the website or in printed portfolio format. The students have access to a fully equipped photography studio which has been equipped to professional standards with the latest Hi-Glide system and studio lighting facilities.A camera store has a full range of cameras and lenses which are available to loan. Equality and Diversity framework The differentiation of learners and ‘Equality and Diversity framework’ is adhered to via the G.R.A.D.E.S criteria (gender, race, age, disability, ethnicity, sexuality). The teaching and learning styles that are employed in this scheme reflect the needs of the students. Rich and varied media can be used via the website, which can also embed text, video, photographs and audio recordings to allow students to express their individuality and preferred learning style to allow high achievement alongside enjoying the course. Then whole course is set up to offer inclusion from all learners whether they can attend the college or not. Students are able to choose to work online and keep track via the RSS feeds as to what is delivered and expected for each lesson throughout the delivery program. Functional skills and ECM framework Functional skills have not got to be embedded or delivered with the adult 19+ classes. It has to be noted that the majority of this course involves adult learners and the ECM framework applies to a lower age group. There are occasions where younger learners do attend and so the scheme of work reflects that accommodation of differentiation and the ECM criteria. ECM framework: (1) Be Healthy, (2) Be Safe, (3) Enjoy and Achieve, (4) Make a Positive Contribution, (5) Achieve Economic Well-being. Safeguarding The safeguarding of students is of paramount importance to allow optimum achievement whilst on this course. The learner is the main focus within the framework of this scheme. This runs alongside the current college support mechanisms. Assessment Methodology Assessment evidence is recorded in an ongoing formative format on a blog website http://www.blogger.com. And allows feedback to be not only given but evidenced on a regular basis to encourage students to stretch themselves and achieve higher. The students all 'self track' and take ownership of each piece of their work by labelling their blogs and images to meet certain criteria. All marking structure is available via the file download tab on this site which clearly shows how all marking and grading is assimilated. Smart Targets It is also a focus of this scheme to have clear objectives which are S.M.A.R.T, Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. With the use of the internet being the whole basis of this course it means that at any given time their is total transparency of events and feedback is both from the tutor and peers. It is my opinion that 'pro monitor' is too disjointed from the learners work and doesn't work as well as this method of working which has proven to work in the high level of attainment achieved by learners on these courses. Student Progression Progression is accommodated for as the courses spans over level 1, 2 and 3 and all students are able to link and converse over the blogger network to view and comment on each others work to encourage progression.It has been found that student progression can be high as one course finishes they can go straight onto another 16 week course. But this could lead to retention issues if students tire over a year. A part time level 4 City and Guilds program is being looked at for possible future delivery. This is to address the potential loss of students who don't wish to go to university after the level 3 at National Diploma and the students on the City and Guilds program. You may wish to consider the new level 4 city and guilds course starting soon, more business orientated really but based around setting up in business 'live' and working in 5 specialist areas such as fashion, portrait, advertising, commercial, editorial and pr. The emphasis is on setting up and providing an income from photography rather than purely just exhibiting and showing work Differentiation Student progress is reviewed very regularly not only via tutor tracking but self tracking and labelling via the student blog entries. This ownership of student learning allows and promotes the achievement of higher grades .The practice of online learning has opened up the possibility of Distance Learning Packages being developed within this area. Which will widen participation and encourage a very broad catchment of learners from a differentiated background. The differentiation of learners and how they prefer to learn has been considered at all times. The learners are offered an alternative to working online but so far all learners have been comfortable working this way and are guided and supported at all times.