Summer Task General Guidance

 Step 1

Read these instructions in full - open the links and familiarise yourself with the task and the resources here. 

Use Power-point; producing the work using A3 pages divided into columns. See this link here on how to set up the Power-point "Design sheet" in the way it's required for this course.

The work, once you've finished it should comprise of 4 slides...

Slide 1 - General Pinhole images from a range of sources and different photographers. 

Slide 2 -  A key image -  typical of a Pinhole Photograph along with your analysis and observations using the prompts to generate your written response to it. 

Slide 3 - A selection of images from your chosen photographer.

Slide 4 - A key image - from your chosen photographer with your analysis and observations using the prompts to generate your written content. 

Step 2

Watch this video here

Click here to open vide (2) Five Minute Introduction to Pinhole Photography - YouTube

Use the suggested photographers names to research Pinhole Photography further as a subject. Do your own independent research into Pinhole Photography to learn more if required.

Step 3

Page 1 of 4; Collect a good selection of pinhole images and pictures of Pinhole cameras for this first part of the research.

Use a selection of images - portraits, landscapes, objects etc.

The video is a good source of images - screen grab images for your work. 

This page should look something like this...

Step 4

Now work on the 2nd page as below or similar. Choose a key image that sums up and exemplifies Pinhole Photography and then using the prompts mentioned above (Blue ones first) write up your responses to those prompts. 

Dependent how much you research the subjects and themes, the blue prompts on their own may be sufficient to fill the page. If you love researching and writing, you may find that you need to reduce the size of the font in order to keep it within the page. There's no need to write anymore than you see here. If you need more space you can reduce the size of the central image.

You should now have 2 pages where you've researched "Pinhole Photography" and the work should look like this...

Step 5 

Once you've finished the first 2 pages focusing on Pinhole Photography in general, you now have to repeat the same process, but writing about a specific photographer of your choice (Use one of those mentioned in the Youtube video below towards the end of the video). 

1. Five Minute Introduction to Pinhole Photography - YouTube
2. pinhole Photography | Saatchi Art
3. https://bteclinks.blogspot.com/2022/07/pinhole-photography-commercial.html
4. https://bteclinks.blogspot.com/2022/09/power-point-design-sheet.html
5. https://bteclinks.blogspot.com/2022/05/glossary.html
6. https://bteclinks.blogspot.com/2022/05/research-prompts-2022.htm

Once you've produce the 4 pages send to the course Leader Dave Thompson by email. You have a till enrolment to produce this work. 

Industry_____________________________________ Using the research your research explain and identify what parts of the Photographic Industry might use Pinhole Photography and why. Where would it be seen and how would it be used? (Key words to use… Industry.).

 

Clients______________________________________ In term of examples of where Pinhole images might appear and be used, identify either known or potential clients for Pinhole Photography. For instance would you imagine seeing Pinhole Photographs being used in any context in Asda or Tesco stores? Identify scenarios where a client might use Pinhole 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 Pinhole Photography – why does it suit their purpose and requirements. What does Pinhole bring to the creative process that isn’t easily replicated in camera using DSLR’s? (Key words to use… Client; Needs; Purpose; Requirements.).

Ethical ____________________________________ Discuss whether you feel there are any ethical aspects to the use and production of pinhole Photography. (The answer to this can combine and can be answered in terms of the environmental impact). Other things to consider are the representation of the subject using this method of photography - your social responsibility with regards the outcomes. 

Environmental_____________________________ Discuss whether you feel pinhole cameras are a more environmentally sustainable approach to producing images compared to digital photography and 35mm analogue photography. How does it differ, what are the pros and cons if you make a comparison? 

Users (Cultural) _____________________________________ Who are the users? Why does this type of Photography appeal to the people that buy it – who are they? What is Pinhole Photography’s USP (Unique selling point). Are the users of Pinhole 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.).

 

Function/Purpose____________________________ Looking at the examples you’ve found or the potential use that Pinhole 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.).

Progression/Value___________________________ Once you've completed the above and have a good sense of where Pinhole 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,.).

Visual Language - image analysis and deconstruction (Use these to fill the page once you've completed the more important blue prompts). 

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.).

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.).

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.).