HOW TO...

...CREATE A MINDMAP.

Once you have selected a theme you need to consider all the different pathways in which your project can go, along with all its different interpretations.

Create an attractive title in the centre of the page; ensure that it is visually well presented and neat. You can use a computer if you would prefer, along with traditional art techniques. Think about the following points and create a mind map exploring your theme:

What does the theme make you think of in terms of objects and places?

What does the theme make you think of in terms of how it feels (physically and emotionally)?

What does the theme make you think of in terms of different locations or environments?

...WRITE A BRIEF.

It is important to identify your starting point and your intentions for each project you do, whether you have been given a topic or you have selected your own title from those presented.

Getting started:

Mindmap of ideas linked to the starting title – put down every idea, consider what you would enjoy developing and what images you would need to develop the idea.
Collection of visual images to help express your intentions and to do your first observation drawings from, i.e. Photos from the internet, books, magazines or calendars, your own photos, other artists work, cultural patterns etc.
Brief – A written statement explaining your intentions.

What should be in a Brief?

What is your selected starting point? Why you chose it and how you plan to develop your ideas? And why? (Personal interest, access to useful information, current political or social trends or issues, response to an exhibition, event or travel, or other artists work.)
How you are going to research the subject? What you are looking for particularly and where you intend to get the visual information from? (E.g. found objects, taking photos, looking in books, museums.)
Which media and techniques you think you will experiment with and why?
Which other Artists, designers or cultures you intend to explore to inspire your ideas? If you know their names then use them. If you don’t, just explain you will be looking for some that will help you develop your theme, or style or particular affects.

Example Brief:

My interest in exploring textural qualities and pattern has led me to select the starting point ‘Close-Up’. After completing my initial visual research and brainstorming exercise I have decided to focus on shells and the beach environment. My initial photoshoots will look at the form of the shells as well as close up patterns, lines and textures from a variety of viewpoints. I was lucky enough to bring several shells and rocks back from the beach, which I can draw from but I also want to explore other more unusual forms that I may only find in books or on the internet. I also hope to visit the natural history museum. From a recent visit to a Gallery I was drawn to some large scale abstract textured photography works so I want this to be a feature of my work as my ideas develop, so I will be looking for artists who work in this way. I have also always liked Robert Mapplethorpe's work with the strong use of lighting and form, as I feel it has a rich structural quality which I would also like to explore in my project.

...ANALYSE ARTISTS.

To analyse an artists use the following list to structure your writing. Remember that you can analyse artists in any form you feel suits you, this includes long form writing, small annotations around an image etc:

Getting the artists details:

The artist's name, the image's title and its date: Ensure for every image you have the following information if available?

Purpose of the image:

What message or concept are they trying to express in their images?
Can you find their intentions on their own website or another site, such as Lens Culture?
What concept, message or meaning did the artist want to communicate or explore?
Are there any other relevant information that could have had an impact on the work, such as where is the artist from? When were they born? Where was the image taken? When was the image taken? What country are they from? What was going on at that time politically, socially or economically?
If you cannot find their intentions explain what you feel their intentions were from your own interpretation.

Visual Aesthetics

How have they used composition, colour, texture, costume, body language, lighting, shapes, form, camera effects etc best communicate their message or concept you mentioned previously?
Do not forget to use key vocabulary!
What visual impact does the above techniques have on the image?

Narrative or Atmosphere:

What narrative or atmosphere is created by the visual effects mentioned previously?
How does this support or express the artists intentions for the image mentioned previously?

Influencing you:

What do you hope to learn from this artist or attempt yourself? Make sure to explain why you would like to use it related to your overall theme.

...USE KEYWORDS.

Aperture and Depth of Field: Your aperture controls the level of your depth of field.

Shutter Speed: The shutter speed controls how long you expose your film/sensor.

Colour: Colour is, in any visual media, a powerful and important tool in establishing meaning, communicating messages and making visually strong images.

Perspective: Perspective can be created using shapes, pattern or lines. By capturing perspective we can create depth to the image.

Rule of Thirds: The rule of thirds concerns photographic composition within a rectangle frame. Splitting it into thirds.

Light and Tone: Light can create mood and atmosphere.

Negative Space: Negative space is the empty space not occupied by a subject(s).

Filling the Frame: Filling the frame means filling the image with an object, showing no edges.

Body and Facial language: Facial and body language is an important aspect that can convey an emotion or feeling in a person. Discuss open/closed arms, certain expressions and how it alters the perception of the figure.

...PRESENTING YOUR SHOOT.

Use this guide to help you ensure that you are successful in demonstrating your ability to reflect and review your ideas.

Intentions:

Explain clearly what you are aiming to achieve in this shoot in terms of your idea or theme?
What techniques are you aiming to use and what impact are you hoping they will have on your work?
Which artists are you being influenced by for this shoot? What are you taking from them?

Thumbnails:

Present your thumbnails and highlight clearly your strongest images with small notes to why? Also add a small cross and notes to images that you are not selecting.
Keep your thumbnails to one/two sides of A4.

Enlarged images:

Present your strongest images in your sketchbook/portfolio neatly and clearly. Present the unedited version alongside your edited version, however make it smaller in size, so not to seem more important and draw attention away from your “best” work.
Make sure you print off these images to an excellent standard, as this will impact your images quality!
Add brief annotations reflecting on the success of your images. Discuss the composition, colour, texture, costume, body language, lighting, shapes, form, camera effects. Reflect on how it communicates your intended message or effect.
Add brief annotations reflecting on the areas of your image that needs to be refined in your next pieces and the impact that it will have.

Experimentations:

Use your best images and experiment with them, exploring possible variations using appropriate techniques, for example Photoshop techniques, printing on different materials etc.
Add brief annotations reflecting on the success of your experiments. Reflect on how it communicates your intended message or effect.
Add brief annotations reflecting on the areas of your experiments that needs to be refined in your next pieces and the impact that it will have.

MR SIMMONS