Sustainability and Ethics

Sustainability

Use the content from the white-board introduction today on Sustainability - don't copy it just use it as the starting point for your own work. Use the links below to research this subject further and to produce a detailed body of work that makes it clear that you're aware of the impact of both digital and analogue (Traditional Photography).

Note: This is compulsory. This has to appear in your work - especially in conjunction with your self-directed projects such as the current DSLR project and later in the year with the self-directed studio project and the Unit 3 final major project for Year One and throughout year two. Because the content is going to used and re-used and ideally improved each time I would save it initially in your S&K power-point and then add it to your DSLR project. 

Film or Digital? Which Type of Photography is Better for the Planet? - American Chemical Society

Click on this image for a video on the issues relating to Sustainability and data storage. 

In terms of digital photography one of the key components relating to sustainability is the generation of Electricity - The key aspect to this is that traditionally electricity was generated by the use of coal, oil or gas all of which are associated with the production of greenhouse gases and pollution and global warming. 

Check this link here for images of other impacts of the Oil industry (Oil needed for electricity generation) Photographs: Oil — Edward Burtynsky

Another link where Burtynsky Photographs extraction of minerals to supply the electricity industry among others - Edward Burtynsky on climate, abstraction, and hanging photos like paintings - 1854 Photography

Other links 

This is another good video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-8TDOFqkQA

Capturing Moments, Consuming Energy: The Environmental Impact of Photos | World Cleanup Day Blogpost

What precious metals are in your camera and similar electronic devices - remember you more than likely use PC's to handle your files The Royal Mint | Recovering gold from electronic waste

The question is what can you do as an individual to reduce the use of materials to improve sustainability? 

Ethics 

1. What ethical issues are linked to theme/s, subject matter, or imagery in my work.  
2. Have I represented people, cultures, or communities in a respectful and responsible way? How do I know? 
3. Where did my materials come from and how sustainable are they? 
4. Did I reuse, recycle, or source eco-friendly materials? Give examples. 
5. How has my work impacted the environment (waste, chemicals, energy use)? 
6. What steps did I take to reduce my environmental impact during this project? 
7. Did I consider the social impact of my work on different audiences? 
8. Have I researched artists or practices that focus on ethics and sustainability? How did this influence me? 
9. What changes could I make to improve the ethical and sustainable quality of my future work? 
10. How does embedding ethics and sustainability strengthen my identity as an artist? Content to be added soon. 

Operational contexts (Types of Photography)

 In your work as you produce it, you need to show increasing awareness of the context e.g. you need to know what type of photography you're producing and where it fits within the world of work and employment and how you could make a living from it.

Have a look at this post here see the link and have a read through the main 'Operational contexts' most often seen in Photography.

Level 3 Photography resources: Types of Photographic Practice

Post Research Reflections - how to

 These follow the research and use the same structure as the practical reflections...

(1). What happened (Requires just a couple of sentences - keep it simple just say who you researched and what research methods you used). 

(2). How do you feel it went. (Again a very basic response, a couple of sentences saying how you felt about doing the research - whether you felt you learned a great deal, whether you were inspired, if it was hard to find the relevant information and you struggled. 

(3). What was good/bad (Another quick response a couple of key points about the research process that were good and one bad one. 

(4). Analysis.

This is the bigger section, this is where you write about the value and usefulness of the research, you might explain why it was useful in terms of kick-starting your project. What aspects of the research did you find inspiring, what will you 'Borrow' from the research and use in your own work; this might be things like...

• The basic premise and idea
• How it's done
• Their style
• Techniques 
• Lighting
• Poses
• The mood and feel 
• View-point and perspective 

Explain what you're going to borrow/use in your work in your first shoot

Also show that you understand the value of your research in the longer term - use the term "Progression goals". 

These are things such as...

• Passing the task
• Passing the Unit
• Passing the first year
• Passing the course
• Getting into University
• Getting a job in Photography

Once that's done you need to write a Plan

3D (3 Dimensional task)

 This is an In Class activity and will be added to your S&K design sheet (PPT).

Try and keep this short and to the point. Use the info and images from the session today and we'll continue tomorrow and get this done and out of the way. In the meantime get all the written bits done. Do a tiny bit of research for this - just show that you're aware of the Brillo boxes - some images and a brief description relating to the Brillo boxes and their history/context. 

Research

You'll need to do some really basic research for this showing what the work has been influenced by. Use the links here below 

Andy Warhol: A Documentary Film (Brillo Boxes) - Music By Brian Keane

Andy Warhol. Brillo Box (Soap Pads). 1964 | MoMA

The basic principal that we're going to explore here is we're going to photograph a 'Net' of a box we're all familiar with (HP5+ film box) and then re-construct it. The reconstruction in the same way as Warhol's boxes will no longer function as a box for reasons that will become apparent, but will now be something different... "Art"

A box unfolded is known as a net.

Post Research Reflection

Again keep this as short as possible - literally a few lines.

Plan

PS You should have this done already in class this morening 

Execute

* Use all the work you did this morning and the notes that were on the white board. You'll need to use your DSLR/Phone  and work out how to photograph the net as best you can - filling the frame as much as you can and then printing the work off on Photo-copy paper.

Then you'll re-form the HP5+ box into a much bigger form as a 3D object.

You'll then need to shoot the work against a background of your choice. 

Development....................................................................................................

Explain and reflect on each of the stages (Ultra minimal) just acknowledge the work at each of the stages is not good enough to constitute being considered as a final product and then show the stages of how it was improved stage by stage with the different approaches and experiments. 

Reflect 

After tomorrows additions - then produce a final reflection 

Tomorrows additional work will require taking portraits of each other - full face head and shoulders and then print off the images at A3 size. Then you'll screw them up a bit and shoot them against a white BG in the style of Christianne Feser

Modelle — Christiane Feser

Unit 1 - 1.2 Explore creative processes within the context of the creative industries (Yelena Yemchuk)

Add this work to the end of the 'Creative Process' design sheet/PPT. 

Title it...

"Unit 1 - 1.2 Explore creative processes within the context of the creative industries"

You'll then have to write up your own detailed account of how the shoot came together. In some part this will be speculation, but all you have to do is use the images found via the link below and make observations relating to what she said in relation to the research and explain and point to the evidence you can see that would support the idea that the shoot came together potentially using a process similar to the one we use...

When it comes to the reflection aspect refer to the exposure mistake that she's attempted to rectify and correct at the printing stage. 

*Use the images via the link below to support your work. 

Prompts...

What evidence is there that she "Researched"

Explain what she may have gained by reflecting on the research... Post research reflection

Looking at the pictures... she's used professional models, they're style in 1960's clothing - explain what planning may have been involved Planning.

The images obviously demonstrate the fact that the plan was executed (The 'Doing' phase).

Your explanation relating to whether there's any evidence of reflection needs to point out that she got the exposure wrong (Indicate where this is apparent) and explain as a professional photographer this is a bad mistake and she would have reflected on how she got that so wrong and figured out what she needs to do in future to ensure that doesn't happen.

In relation to the fact that your photography projects develop over a series of stages and this is not the case with professional shoots - they may have been preceded by 'Test shoots' though... When confronted by very challenging shoots, it's not unknown for photographers to conduct 'Pre-shoots' with their assistants where they test out aspects they're unsure of to make sure they get it right on the day. 

Primarily the development aspect e.g. the repetition of Plan - Execute (Do) - Reflect just happens by virtue of shooting continuously on different jobs. 

Poodle No.1: Yelena Yemchuk ID Magazine The Location Issue - Turn on the Bright lights

Planning for practical activities

 Updated 19/11/25 - Ethical and Environmental considerations. 

Planning - Proposing

Use these prompts below to generate your plan

1. Clarify (Describe) what the intention is e.g. why you're making this work, making a direct link with the assignment content. Reiterate what the requirements of the brief are, mention the key things you've got to do within your project - identify problems, problem solving, deadlines, how many images are required for the final submission, experimentation, development of the idea and your techniques and skills, use of a range of materials, methods and processes, awareness of ethical and environmental concerns relating to photography and continuous use of reflective practice. 

2. Where - say where your making the images - studio, location, explain why you're doing it there - strengths and weaknesses of the location/studio. Problems you might encounter what you'll do in advance to alleviate those problems. 

3. When - The date, time, explain why at that time, especially if on location - as the light will be dramatically different at different times of day. Be as technical as you can when talking about the light. Write about the time in terms of urgency and the assignment deadline.

4. What with - What camera and equipment are you using, what focal length lens, what tripod, what additional equipment will you need - will you have a back-up camera? Use a check-list in your book, have everything on the check-list - Empty SD card, charged batteries, additional batteries and SD cards. Tripod plates, cables, hotshoe adapters, light meters, extension leads, flash heads and other studio kit (Use the names/brands of the equipment).

5. How (Technique) - Explain how you're going to shoot the images, what approach will you use, how do you want it to look? Is it going to like or borrow something of a famous photographers style or technique? How are you going to ensure that you get the exposures right - what method will you use to do your light readings - maybe explain what metering pattern you use and say why. What are you going to do about your backgrounds? Do your backgrounds play an important part in the images visual language/narrative? How are you going to use the back-grounds - out of focus or in focus? How do you intend to use depth of field generally? What shutter speed will you hope to be using and why? What white balance will you use and why? What file type will you use and why?

6. Who with - Models, assistants, make-up artist, stylists, drivers etc. Who will you use as the model, could you find models? Are you using the same model again and again - why? Do you think that when you show your folio to prospective employers or Universities they might view this negatively? Have you used anyone else to style it or do any of the other roles in photography - see the image below of a Location shoot I witnessed as well as the photographer and the 1 model (Yasmin Le Bonn) there were at least 12 other people... Stylists, Make-up artists, hair-stylists, 4 x assistants, art director. Could your images be improved with more effort and attention to detail?

Whoever you do involve - say what their role is going to be as part of your plan.

7. Using what light Before you shoot, you should have some idea of the kind of light you want, what do you want the light to do - define shape, form and texture, or do you want light that wraps around the subject with low contrast? Again, make connections with other photographers work... I want to get the same effect as photographer a and b and write about the light using the correct terminology. With the light you should write about the time of day and weather and what you're hoping for - you could support this with weather reports - with images of charts showing the weather you'll probably get and then also include a weather contingency plan.

With the light - if you're in the studio use a floor plan diagram and add images or diagrams of the lighting equipment you're going to use and explain why and what effect this might have on the outcome.

8. Health and Safety Many of the units have a requirement to address H&S, so within your plan make sure you write about the H&S aspects that you have to deal with and explain what you do to ensure you, your model and any others that are involved in your shoot are also safe.

9. Weather Mentioned earlier - the weather has a massive effect on location shoots, you might want a particular type of light for your shoot that meets your creative intentions if the light isn't right, explain what you'll do to deal with the light being not quite what you want.

10. Problems Look back at all of the things you've considered and detailed in your plan and identify where any problems might arise. Then suggest what you'll do if the problem arises (Contingency planning - back-up plan). 

In addition use the "On the day" checklist that is on Teams in the 'Files' section. Print this off and show that you've actually used it e.g. put ticks against the checks, scan that and put into your design sheet. 

Typically the things that you should detail in your plan...

• Your idea/intention - outline of what you're going to do/learn
• Describe the potential operational context of the shoot
• When you plan to shoot.(You can include a weather report if shooting on location outside). 
• Where you're shooting the pictures.
• What camera you'll be using. (You can use images)
• What media your using.
• What focal length you'll be using.
• Whether you'll experiment with different focal lengths or change lenses.
• What kind of lighting you'll be using - soft, harsh, diffuse, point etc.
• If your copying someone's lighting techniques say who's.
• Who your model will be.
• Whether you're using tripods, reflectors, or any other equipment.
• Who your assistant will be.
• What you're testing out.
• Transport details
• Details about emptying SD cards - charging batteries.
• Contingency (Back up) plan in the event of any changes - models/light/weather
• When you intent to have films processed by and the work in your design sheet. 
• Any H&S issues and how you will address them.
• Problems you'll potentially encounter and methods to resolve  them
• Identify any environmental or ethical considerations and explain what you'll do to address them if possible. *Make sure you use the 2 key words when you write this up... Environmental and Ethical 

Top Tip Copy the bullet pointed list above and paste directly into your design sheet. Then write up your plan in response to these prompts and delete the prompts as you go.

*Note, you wont be able to use all of these prompts every time you write a plan as some suit different situations. Use as many as you can. 

The DSLR task

 Here's a step by step list of the things you need to include in the DLSR Project. The newest update will be visible with the older content below and you'll need to scroll down. 

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Update 13/11/25

Research should be completed...

At this stage you should all have completed the research. The research (See link in side bar) should comprise of 3 sections with a page allocated to each section. 

Page 1 - images typical of the specific work you're researching

Page 2 - General details about the photographer, how they make a living, what type of photography they produce (Operational context), where their work is seen, who their clients are and who the audience is for their work (Demographic details). This should comprise of images you find that support your claims with regards to how they make a living through photography.

Page 3 - This should be a single image that you've analysed and deconstructed in terms of visual language - e.g. analysis of how the image has been composed, constructed and designed to convey meaning and narrative. Use the link in the sides or click here 

Post research reflection...

Ideally you'll have also completed this. This needs to be clearly headed Post Research Reflection and you should explain what it is you've learned from doing the research, explaining what you're 'Borrowing' from the research to use in your first shoot e.g. how the research influences your initial idea/pictures. To really do this well, you also need to explain and demonstrate that you understand the value of researching - explain why researching is of value to your in terms of your longer term progression goal of being a photographer. *Key words to use here in your written response are...

Value, Progression goal and Influence

Now you're ready to plan and execute your first series of images on your chosen theme. The plan is really important and it should be detailed with clear consideration of potential problems that might arise before and during the production of your images. See here for details of how to write a detailed plan. Use the list towards the end this post. It's really important to identify potential problems and explain how these might be alleviated or dealt with *This is one of the key criteria for this qualification. 

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10/11/25

In this session Monday - 10.00 - 11.00 you were tasked with addressing the criteria 

2.1 Unit 01 - Analyse the requirements of the brief. 

This work will be the Introduction to your DSLR power-point.

For this you need to read through the assignment brief (Find on teams in "Files") and explain what the brief is directed you to do, mention this like how much time you have to do it, when the deadline is, how many images are required as a minimum. Also read through and explain the type/genre of the photography and how it may be used, (This may become more apparent once you've done the research) and you might come back to this intro and add to it later? 

In essence what you need to do is read through the brief and re-write it in your own language. Try also to explain what you'll learn from it - what are the skills you're going to acquire as a result of producing the work for the brief. 

Note from now on this is how all of your introductions for each task will start - your analysis of the brief. 

11.00 - 12.00____________________________________________________________________

1.2 Unit 01 - Explore creative processes within the context of the creative industries. 

This work will be produced in your Creative Process design sheet 

Look at this link here Poodle No.1: Yelena Yemchuk ID Magazine The Location Issue - Turn on the Bright lights

This is the work of Yelena Yemchuk. The work is Editorial Fashion photography. Look at the work and read through the blog post. Discuss in class how Yemchuk may have gone through a Creative Process in order to bring this work together and execute it. 

Look at the work, can you see the mistakes that were made, how would she have dealt with these mistake in terms of reflections and planning? 

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As with all projects you're going to need to produce the research in the first few days, certainly within a week of being informed of the Photographers. (See the brief and Teams) Get it done by this coming Monday (10th November). Usual format...

Do not use AI as your main source of information (There's new stringent rules about the use of AI coming in the next week or so). 

• Page of images
• Page that identifies how the Photographer makes a living - try and use as many images as possible
• Single Image analysis of one of the Photographers Photographs focusing on the use of Visual Language, the images operational context and how meaning and narrative are conveyed (Use the prompt sheet here to generate this content). Or use the side bar on the blog. 
• Bibliography 
• Quotes 

You also need to have a look at the Photographers below and decide which one (Or two) you will research influence or inspire your own self-directed project. Your own images will need to feature a person or people that you're going to shoot and re-shoot a number of times developing your idea and techniques aiming to produce a high-quality final set that would be suited to an operational context that you identify and discuss in your work as it progresses.

https://www.thrashermagazine.com/articles/skater-s-eye-zorah-olivia/

https://www.palhansen.com/blog-1-1

https://americansuburbx.com/2010/01/theory-bill-owens-suburbia-2000.html

https://raniamatar.com/publication/press/2012-press/a-girl-and-her-room-book-reviews/

https://www.derekridgers.com/

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In class task

Basic camera functions and controls______________________________________________

Go on-line and find images of each of the things/components we looked at in the lesson. 

Your own camera - Use this website here and find your camera - you'll via the link there are numerous images of the camera and the displays. Use these in your work to explain how your camera works. Canon EOS 450D (Digital Rebel XSi / Kiss X2 Digital) Review: Digital Photography Review this review is for the 450D, but look around in the reviews section - find your make and then use control + F to find your model. 

For the work in your S&K try and use images as much as you can to illustrate your knowledge and awareness of what it is you're recording/explaining. 

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"Manual mode M" on the dial - manual gives us complete control of the camera - we tell the camera what we want it to do.

Explain/Use image of The aperture symbol on the camera body and the display that shows which aperture you're using.

Explain - reiterate why we use 1/125 shutter speed. 

Explain how you change the ISO and the advice I gave with regards the use of ISO...

In these exercises (In-class tasks) given the fact we have no choice but to use the light that is available to us in order to enable the lesson activity we have to shoot using a higher ISO that in most professional situations would be unacceptable. We need to acknowledge this fact and normally we would avoid this approach at all costs because of the impact it has on the image quality - noise in the shadow areas, perception of poor sharpness and colours increasingly muted as the ISO number increases. 

The way this would be tackled in a majority of professional scenarios is the shutter speed would be lowered and a tripod used, or additional light brought in - studio lighting or portable systems. 

 Explain - Dioptre and adjusting it to your own eyesight - what and where it is and the impact it has on viewing the scene.

Explain the controls on the lens relating to Auto Focus and Manual Focus

Comment on how the light reading was done (Here's a clue - the floor was a mid-tone). What other ways could you have done it? What is a mid-tone and why is it important to take the reading from a Mid-Tone. Show and explain what an 18% Grey card is - how are they used?

Get a good selection of the images you shot and comment on the images with regards - (a). Composition: You were all instructed to compose - crop the image "In camera" just above the head and mid-way through the thighs. Have you done this? What went wrong if you didn't - if you were to do it again, what would you need to do to do it correctly? 

Top Tip: Go into your menu (Use your manual) and try and figure how to set-up your metering system and set it to 'Centre weighted'. Also have a look at this video and review what is said about the pro's and cons of each option. But generally, just look to familiarise yourself with the options and how to access them. CAMERA METERING: Spot, Evaluative, Partial or Center-Weighted? Which one to use?

Once you've done that - explain the three main metering modes/methods. 

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Monday  

Megan Monday 3B18 - Photoshop session for the 1st hour

TTL light metering