Photographing for resources: what makes a good photograph

Art and design

Identifying starting points

Resourcing ideas through personal reflections, narratives and objects

Effective annotation: different ways to present ideas

Analysing the work of artists and designers: materials and techniques

The work of artists and designers: elements of art

The work of artists and designers: principles of art

Connecting and combining: trials and experiments with materials

First-hand primary resourcing

Personal response: appropriate resources and creating artwork

Creating a surface, armature, background: preparing your personal response

Personal response: layers and processes in different endorsements

Personal response: how to judge quality and refining work

Personal response: finishing an artwork

Presenting a portfolio: creating pages of documentation

Curating the artwork: selecting and arranging key pieces

Evaluate the use of materials and techniques

Self assessment techniques: evaluating your own work

This is an independent, pupil-led unit where pupils develop their own creative process. Having learned the key components of shaping an artistic voice, they will now make choices about themes, techniques, and processes, articulating and evaluating their artistic journey.

First sustained project: working from a theme

It clearly captures the subject and tells a story

It uses thoughtful composition, lighting and focus

It’s always taken with a professional camera

It includes interesting textures, colours, or contrast

Which three of the following makes a good photograph?

To intentionally highlight or emphasise something

The position or angle from which the photographer takes the photo

Anywhere as long as the subject is clear and taken from an intentional viewpoint

The subject should always be in the exact centre

At the edge of the photo so there's more background

As far away as possible so they look small

Where should you position the subject of a photograph?

It can create a more dramatic or emotional effect

It can reveal new details or perspectives the viewer might miss

It helps the viewer connect with the subject in a different way

It guarantees the photo will be in perfect focus

In what three ways can changing the viewpoint of a photograph affect its impact?

A rule that says a photograph must include exactly three objects

A composition technique used in photography, drawing and design

A guideline that tells photographers to take three photos of every subject

What is the 'rule of thirds' in photography?

To explain the meaning or context behind the image

To cover up technical flaws in the photograph

Because all professional photography must include text

To make the photograph look more like a poster

Why might artists incorporate annotation, writing, or text directly into or alongside their photographic work?

Starter Quiz

Which three of the following makes a good photograph?