Lesson video

Hello, everyone.

How are you today? I hope you're feeling really, really good.

My name is Miss Afzal, and I'll be your art teacher for this lesson.

I'm feeling very pleased about that because our lesson is about photography, and I love photography so much.

The lesson is called "Planning and Editing a Final Photographic Series." So we are really, really getting into our photography today.

This lesson comes from the unit of work "Finding Your Artistic Voice: An Introduction to the Creative Process." So if you are ready with some ideas, perhaps about what your photographic series might be about, and some focus, energy, and enthusiasm, we are all set to begin.

The outcome for today's lesson is: I can plan and begin creating a final photographic series that expresses a clear personal concept.

I wonder what that makes you think of when you hear this outcome.

And I'm interested in what your clear personal concept will be.

Hopefully, you are too.

We have some keywords in our lesson.

Let's go through them: "series," "cohesion," "shot list," and "composition." So what do these keywords mean? Series is a group of related photographs that explore a consistent idea or theme.

Cohesion: the visual and conceptual consistency across a body of work.

Shot list: a planned list of images or scenes the photographer intends to capture.

Composition: the arrangement of visual elements in a photograph.

These are our keywords: "series," "cohesion," "shot list," and "composition." Let's look out for them.

Let's listen out for them.

Let's think carefully about them.

They'll be coming up in our lesson today.

Today's lesson is called "Planning and Executing a Final Photographic Series," and it has two learning cycles.

First of all, planning with purpose, and then executing your photographic vision.

Sounds good.

Let's begin with planning with purpose.

Individual photographs and images can express ideas, but a strong series can tell a story and more clearly communicate a concept.

This is all achieved by how all the images in a series work together.

Pause the video and share with someone, what do you think the story is behind this series of images, or what concept do you think it's trying to communicate? Thanks for sharing your ideas.

Great photography is rarely accidental.

By intentionally planning your photography series before shooting, it can: give direction and focus, help express your concept clearly, bring cohesion to your project.

And we can see a silhouette, a great photograph of the photographer.

Planning for purposeful photography means creating a visual plan, also known as a shot list.

And we can see some composition ideas have been sketched in pen there.

A shot list helps you think ahead by including the subjects, locations, and composition ideas for each photo.

So we can see there's a lot of planning that goes into this.

Using a shot list keeps your work focused and aligned with your concept.

Let's have a check for understanding.

What is the purpose of creating a shot list before taking photos? Is it: A, to avoid wasting time looking for editing apps? B, to ensure all images have the same filter? C, to decide which photos to delete later? Or D, to keep work focused and aligned with the concept? Pause here while you decide: what's the purpose of creating a shot list before taking photos? Well done if you went for answer D.

Indeed, it's to keep work focused and aligned with the concept.

Composition refers to the arrangement of visual elements in a photograph.

Intentions, moods, and concepts can be visually revealed and represented in photography by your choice of compositions.

And we can see an incredible aerial composition of buildings and a plane there, taken from a really interesting angle.

Pause here and share with someone your impressions of this composition.

Thanks for sharing.

I love the way that the shape of the sky that we're seeing, created by the buildings, mirrors the shape of the aeroplane.

Composition choices like angle, lighting, or focus affect the way an image is seen and can influence a viewer's feelings.

A high angle might make a subject seem small or powerless, while close-ups can feel intimate.

Plan your composition with meaning in mind.

And we can see a geometric, architectural composition on the screen now.

Here's an extract of a shot list and the subsequent photograph for the concept of disconnection in the digital age.

So we have our subject: person on the phone.

Location is bus stop.

And the composition idea is isolated, angled shot.

And here's the photograph.

Pause here and share with someone your impressions of this photograph and how it relates to the concept of disconnection in the digital age.

Thanks for sharing.

Think about how each photograph in a series can come together to create cohesion and convey your concept.

By developing ideas across a series, narratives become clearer than with a single image.

Repetition of style, tone, or colour helps a series feel unified.

Using similar lighting, subjects, camera settings can suggest cohesion.

Pause here and share with someone: what do you think the narrative is behind this series? Thanks for sharing.

Let's have a check for understanding.

What makes a photography series narrative more clear than a single image? Is it: A, it has more pixels? B, it repeats the same image multiple times? C, it develops an idea or message across multiple connected images? Or D, it includes photos taken by different people? Pause here while you decide what makes a photography series narrative more clear than a single image.

Well done if you selected answer C.

Indeed, it develops an idea or message across multiple connected images.

And now it's time for your first task.

I would like you to use the provided planning sheet to build your shot list.

You'll have space for sketches of the four shots, and for each one, you could write down: What is the subject? Where is the location? And what's your composition idea? So pause here while you use the provided planning sheet to build your shot list.

Enjoy your task, and I'll see you when you're finished.

It's great to be back with you.

So, how did you get on with that task of using the provided planning sheet to build your shot list? You may have created something like this: So here we can see in image one, there's the subject: cars.

Location is a road, and a composition idea: blurred traffic.

We've got the sketch in number two, and the subject is signs.

Location: street.

Composition idea: distorted messages.

Number three, we have our image there.

The subject is lights.

Location: night.

Composition idea: reflections or puddles.

And number four, we have the image of a hand.

That's our subject.

Location's a window.

And the composition idea: close-up angles.

Really interesting shot list.

And now we're onto our next learning cycle: executing your photographic vision.

A successful shot list should convey what the concept or idea is behind a series of photographic works.

Swap your shot list with a partner and discuss if you can tell what their concept is and if their images feel cohesive.

Use feedback to revise or improve the plan for the photography shoot.

So pause here while you have a go at doing this.

It's good to be back with you.

Well done for swapping your shot lists and discussing what each other's concepts were.

Let's hear some reflections.

Here's Laura: "This shot list makes me think of reflections and dreams. I wonder if experimenting with composition and angles could add a more dynamic effect.

And Alex: "Everything in the shot list is of small, miniature objects, making me think of microscopic worlds.

Could you also include some larger props to juxtapose them with?" Some interesting ideas.

With your shot list and photography equipment ready, you can start taking photos that develop your artistic voice.

You can refer to your visual plan and experiment with new photo ideas during the process.

And that's all part of it, seeing where your work takes you.

Remember that a strong series is purposeful, and even spontaneous shots can be effective if they're guided by your concept.

We can see a beautiful photograph of photographic equipment on the screen there.

I love those colours and lights, so beguiling.

Remember to use a consistent tone, style, or setting to create cohesion in your photographic series.

Keep your composition similar, or deliberately shift them to show change.

Choose a colour scheme or editing style that further reinforces a theme throughout the series.

And we can see a series of Polaroid photography on the screen there.

Pause here and share with someone.

Have you ever had a go at Polaroid photography, where the photograph is printed and emerges in front of you right away? Thanks for sharing.

Something really magical about Polaroid photography.

Let's have a check for understanding.

Which of the following best supports a strong composition? Is it: A, placing the subject thoughtfully using the rule of thirds? B, zooming in as much as possible? C, always centering the subject? Or D, making sure there are lots of objects in the background? Pause here while you consider which of these best supports a strong composition.

Well done if you selected answer A.

Indeed, placing the subject thoughtfully using the rule of thirds supports a strong composition.

Execute and experiment with your photographic vision through: Angles: different angles and perspectives.

Consider how viewpoints like close-ups, wide shot, or side angles alter mood.

Arrangements: how do the subjects, props, and background elements come together? Compositions: symmetry, rule of thirds, leading lines, dynamic or abstraction can all create different results.

Lighting and props: consider your artist influences.

Do they use soft, harsh, or natural lighting, feature fabrics or nature? Many things for you to consider as you execute and experiment with your photographic vision.

Examples of how photographers execute their ideas include: Nadine Ijewere is a photographer whose conceptual works address heritage and beauty standards in the fashion industry.

Her series "Visualising Black Beauty," 2021, features strong compositional cohesion.

Annie Leibovitz uses dramatic lighting, bold composition, and carefully styled sets and costumes to visualise her ideas.

Her portraits blend realism with theatricality, using colour, props, and creative framing to tell stories.

Heather Agyepong, in her series "Too Many Blackamoors," 2015, employs varying angles to challenge historical representations of Black identity.

The deliberate choice of angles serves to subvert traditional narratives and offer a contemporary rereading of historical imagery.

Kevin Connolly was born without legs and uses a skateboard to move around.

His photography captures everyday scenes from his own point of view, using low angles to reflect how he experiences the world and capture how people react to his disability.

His photos confront how difference is seen.

Once you have a photographic series to work with, you can start evaluating the images: Does each image express the intended idea? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

And how can the composition or framing be improved? Pause here and share with somebody.

And is your series cohesive, working together visually to reinforce your intended concept? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

Examples of series of work include: Bela Varadi's photographic practise documents and amplifies marginalised voices, particularly those within the Romani and LGBTQ+ communities.

His series "Sorry, but I'm Not Sorry" portrays queer Roma individuals in empowering poses, emphasising their dual identities and defiance against societal expectations.

Dexter McLean's series, "The FA Disability Cup," captures the strength and skill of disabled footballers across the UK.

His portraits challenge stereotypes and promote inclusivity by showcasing athletes' determination and talent, inspiring both the disabled community and the wider public.

Let's have a check for understanding.

What does the term "cohesion" mean in a photographic series? Is it: A, all photos were taken on the same day? B, all images are identical in size? C, the series includes a collage of unrelated photos? Or D, the photos work together visually and conceptually? Pause here while you decide what the term "cohesion" means in a photographic series.

Well done if you selected answer D.

Indeed, it means the photos work together visually and conceptually.

And now it's time for your next task.

I would like you to use your shot list as a guide.

Capture at least three to five planned images.

Take extra shots, experimenting with different angles and lighting.

And then choose one of your photos and evaluate how well it matches your intended concept.

So pause here while you have a go at this task of using your shot list as a guide to capture at least three to five planned images, and then choosing one of your photos and evaluating how well it matches your intended concept.

So pause here and enjoy your task.

I'll see you when you're finished.

It's great to be back with you.

How did you get on with that task of using your shot list as a guide, capturing at least three to five planned images and taking extra shots, experimenting with different angles and lighting? You might have made a series like this.

So we've got the car, the hand, and the lights.

What a terrific series.

Pause here and share with someone.

What do you think the concept is behind this series? Thanks for sharing your ideas.

And how did you get on with the next part of your task, choosing one of your photos and evaluating how well it matches your intended concept? Let's hear from Alex, and we get the reveal of his concept.

"I think this photo of blurred lights at night matches my concept of 'dreams and memory.

'" Anyone guess that? "I plan to use reflections, lights, and long exposures.

While shooting, I experimented with shaking to create a distorted image.

Really, really effective." Pause here and share with someone, what's your impression of this photograph that Alex has taken, and how well it matches the theme, the concept, "dreams, and memory?" Thanks for sharing.

Pause here.

And now, I'd like you to share with someone one of the photographs from your series and then to offer each other feedback on how well you feel this photograph matches your intended concept.

Thanks for offering that feedback.

In our lesson, "Planning and Executing a Final Photographic Series," we've covered the following: Strong photographic series are carefully planned and clearly connected to a concept.

Visual cohesion is achieved through repeated themes, styles, or techniques.

Composition and framing choices should reflect the meaning or emotion of the concept.

Execution involves balancing planning with creative experimentation.

Well done, everyone, for joining in with this lesson.

It was so wonderful to explore planning and executing a photographic series, working out what your concept is, and then using all you've learned about photography to come up with this series.

I hope you've enjoyed this lesson.

I've really enjoyed teaching you, and I'm looking forward to seeing you at another art lesson soon.

Until then, stay creative.