MacroA2: Textures

Jerry Uelsmann

Assignment guidance: The aim of this project is for you to learn, understand and demonstrate knowledge and skill in macro photography, with a focus on textures.The project will allow you to develop your skills and apply your knowledge and understanding of macro photography through exploring a range of digital techniques, photographing a range of different textures, exploring surface detail and pattern. This project will enable you to develop your skills further and refine your development from A1.

● You will record your ideas and research in your sketchbook. The research that you

culminate will be displayed as a series of final prints in response to the title ‘macro’,

under the theme ‘texture’. You must reference the work of other artists/ photographers

and make clear links to your own. Critically evaluate both your work and the work of

other artists/ photographers.

● The project will follow a number of camera workshops, demonstrations and

experiments. You will be encouraged to photograph as often as possible in order to

best further your technical skills and conceptual knowledge. You will complete the

following tasks to the best of your ability to ensure a complete project:

T1 - Title page: Textures T2 - Artists/ photographers research T3 - Contextual research, further conceptual researchT4 - Skills tests - evidence of technical developmentT5 - Own response photographsT6 - Photoshop editsT7 - Presentation research - explore ways to best present your workT8 - Personal response - Minimum 6 8”x10” final prints or equivalent.

● In order to gain the maximum marks for your coursework it is important

to meet the criteria set by the examining board AQA.

The four key words to remember are:

Develop - Experiment - Record - Present “Successful sketchbooks, workbooks and logbooks demonstrate genuine engagement

with the subject and the ability to explore a range of ideas and processes. They can

shed light on a personal journey of discovery and provide genuine insights into

candidates’ intentions and the development and resolution of their ideas. They can

also provide insights into the extent that candidates have been influenced by the work of

others.”

We will be marking you on your ability to:

● Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and

other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding

● Experiment with and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and

processes, reviewing and refining ideas as your work develops

● Record in visual and/or other forms, ideas, observations and insights relevant to

intentions, demonstrating an ability to reflect on your work and progress

● Present a personal, informed and meaningful response demonstrating critical

understanding, realising intentions and, where appropriate, making connections

between visual, written, oral or other elements.

This assignment is to be done in your sketchbooks and any digital work should be

completed in Photoshop whilst working in Mac.

● Using your initial concept from the nature assignment, consider how you

may develop this under the theme ‘textures’. In what context will you be

able to draw the two ideas together. Think abstract. Your textures do not

necessarily need to represent anything from nature. For example - you

could begin to explore surface textures in different papers, you may have

photographed trees in your nature assignment so your link could start

there. Where appropriate use text to accompany your images.

● Further develop and refine your skills in Photoshop. Create a series of

swatch boards where you are presenting a range of textures. Crop your

images so they remain ambiguous.

● As preparation towards planning your photo shoots, photograph a range of

textures from one particular environment. How do using the macro lenses

obscure the reality of the area? For example, how many different textures

can you photograph in the school kitchen?

● Justify your ideas, make sure the project flows. Always keep a fluid path in

your sketchbooks detailing the development of your project.

● Learn how to use the research that you have gained to inspire your own

work.

● Develop advanced skills in Photoshop, experiment merging the two

assignments together to work towards creating a final outcome that

represents a surreal landscape. Seamlessly combine both your images from

the nature project with the texture images you have created. * See the

work of Jerry Uelsmann and Irving Penn as a starting point for inspiration.

● Understand the exam criteria, the weighting of your coursework in relation

to your exam and AS and A2 level grades. Review and refine you work to

develop and improve it.

● Be prepared to develop your research outside of school as well, always look

for new ways to resource your projects. Attend Art/ Photography club as

often as possible, in order to utilise the resources and facilities available to

you at the Academy.

TIPS:

● Visit our online ‘Art Gallery’ to see more examples.

● Go to our YouTube page to watch demo’s and tutorials.

● Plan your assignment carefully using your sketchbook to write, explain and

document your intentions and ideas. Utilise the resources available to you.

● Take time to assess your work as it progresses and make changes where

appropriate. Be critical of your work and others. Get used to annotating

all of your ideas in order to refine and develop your work as it progresses

throughout the project.

● Learn how to annotate your work effectively and with meaning so that it

can communicate itself to a larger audience.

● Think carefully about your composition. Take a step back and view your

work objectively. Take the time to plan your photographs. Explore a range

of presentation ideas, consider either a series of photographs in the form

of a story or sequence eg. a diptych or triptych. Alternatively a montage or

Hockney ‘joiner’ style landscape could be explored.

Do you have a smart phone?

If so you can use the camera on your phone to access online resources to help you with this

assignment.

All you need is a QR code reader app, point your phone web browser to one of readers below:

● http://reader.kaywa.com● http://get.beetagg.com● http://www.quickmark.com.tw/En/basic/download.asp● http://europe.nokia.com/support/product-support/nokia-n80/phone-software/smartphone● For iPhone users. Go to iTunes and search for: QR Code reader

Once you have a reader/ app on your smart phone. Simply take a quick snap of the code(s)

below, and you will be redirected to the required resource, directly on your phone.

AFL: Assessment for Learning.● Learn about the assessment objectives.

eGallery:● Take a look at some examples of work for this

assignment.

YouTube:● Go to the Visual Arts YouTube channel and watch

some Video resources for this assignment.

BritArt Calendar:● Keep up to date, and stay organised.

Colour Prints:● Request Colour print outs here.

Weblinks:● A set of useful weblinks

Visual Arts FB page:

Twitter:● Follow us on twitter and keep up to date with news

and events.