Each year the Department of Sociology at the University of Cambridge hosts a photography competition aimed at students in Years 10, 11 and 12.
Students are invited to enter one photograph and an accompanying paragraph that explains how the photo interprets the theme, which this year is
"Future Sociologies".
The competition is judged by a panel of lecturers from the Department of Sociology, who will assess the photos and accompanying paragraph based on their creative interpretation of the theme, originality and sociological imagination.
The winning student will receive £100 for themselves and £100 for their school, and the winning photo will be displayed both in the Department of Sociology and on our website.
"Future Sociologies"
The Coronavirus Pandemic, Black Lives Matter, climate crisis. Many sociologists study historical social change, but how might the world change for future generations, and how might future generations change the world? What sort of ideas, movements or structures could come to shape the way we live, and what perspectives might we need to address future challenges?
Students are encouraged to be creative in their interpretation of the theme "Future Sociologies" and think about what the future might look like, in terms of work, relationships, education, nature, communities, technologies, or their own focus.
Students can consider social, political, technological, cultural or environmental factors, or a combination. Entries can focus on the personal or broader social level, or even attempt to draw links between the two.
"It's Competition Time.."
Hannah Nicholas examined the spatial relationship between graffiti and litter.
Assessment Objective:
AO1, AO2, AO3 & AO4:
Learning Objective:
To investigate Sociology with initial research into a chosen theme. Generate a response through a series of workshops, developing 3 possible developmental pieces, cullimating in creating your final Outcome and present with analytical reflection.
Respond.... Week 1
Sociology is the study of society, human social behaviour, patterns of social and relationships, social interaction, and culture that surrounds everyday life
1. Begin.....
1: Research what Sociology means.
2: Begin with a Mind map of words that connect to your own thinking of SOCIOLOGY!
3: Explore the online thesaurus to find synonyms.
4: Get Pinning, Uncover images that link to the word and create a visual inspiration page and reveal your initial ideas.
...Memories...
Benjamin Bishop-Wells used panoramas of everyday spaces, juxtaposed against collages of old childhood photographs to show change and memory at home.
Coronavirus Pandemic
Black Lives Matter
Climate Crisis
Human Social Behaviour
Society
Patterns of Social & Relationships
Culture that Surrounds Everyday Social Change
Disability
Social Order & Class
Religion
Sexuality
Gender
Education
or think of your own sociology word that provokes a reaction........
People captured at the Bus Stop....
Respond further:
First, Choose one of the following REACTIONS and begin your initial research with two artists by exploring the Pinterest Boards below....
2. Choose.....
Week 2
When investigating artists that link to your ideas, consider the following and how this could link to the SOCIOLOGY requirements of the competition.
2. Consider Again.....
PERSONAL REFLECTION
1: Present on ONE page of your sketchbook your chosen field of investigation... ie: SOCIAL CHANGE!
2:What does this mean to you?
What are your views and thoughts - EXPRESS!
3:How does this idea effect you personality, Why did you choose to investigate this further?
3. Reflect....
Disability
...Human Behaviour...
...Mental Health...
Week 3
Explore....
Nana B Kabagwira’s autophotographic essay interrogated the architecture of disability and access.
2. Research.....
Week 3 & 4
AO1: Develop your ideas by researching Artists.
AO2: Explore your ideas by experimenting with a variety of materials and techniques inspired by your artists.
Lesson Objective: To discover and and explore 4 artists work and there work.
PRESENT:
Present each of your 4 artist on separate pages. Your have two lesson to complete this.
Reflect and respond linking their work to your own ideas, thoughts and concepts of SOCIOLOGY with PHOTOGRAPHY.
3. RESPOND..... WORKSHOPS & STUDIO
Week 4 & 5
THINGS TO CONSIDER & RESPOND TO:
-
Photographing Everyday Life – Action and Interaction - Who are We?
-
Photographing Everyday Life 2 – Ritual - Everyday.
-
Photographing Social and Cultural Inventories - Behaviour.
-
Photographing People - Difference.
-
Photographing in Challenging Lighting Situations -Mood.
AO2: Explore your ideas by experimenting with a variety of materials and techniques inspired by your artists.
LONG EXPOSURE
Elena Oganesyan is obsessed with long exposure, creating these ephemeral images that explore inside and outside space in terms of identity and sociology
Task:
Create a series of long exposure photographs in the studio, experiment with lighting, colour and costume to tell a story or express your message of a positive or a destructive narrative.
Set camera to TV and 1/5's or longer to get a similar effect in the studio
Get Clicking by focusing on one of the following as your subject matter.....
1: Portrait Studio Photos.
2: Landscape Photos - Urban/Rural.
3: My Home.
4: Human Behaviour
5: Inner Self or Outer Self
6: Mood - Positive or Negative
MIXED MEDIA
Jaya Suberg was one of the first digitalArt artists and her signature is still unmistakable. Her work bridges the outside world into a inner world through the influence of nature and the changing urban landscape that shapes our identity and sociology stance.
Task:
Create a series of portraits in the studio.
Paint onto paper, scan or photograph
Experiment by dragging both portrait and surface texture together by exploring layers, blends and Hue/Saturation.
Add photographs of textures and forms from around the Unit to add another dimension to tell a story or express your message of inner and outer conflict.
LINE MEETS PORTRAITURE
Laura Guarie is a graphic designer.... "I’ve been reading a lot about European history recently and the influences that have left their mark on us, especially in art, architecture and design. Her work explores retro collages blended with graphic illustrations influenced by European history that shapes our identity today in respect of our sociology.
Task:
Create a series of portraits in the studio.
Fragment a part of the face that interests you and explores identity.
Explore line and perspective through architectural structure and forms.
Combine these two genres to create an interesting perspective of environment that
tell a story or express your message of society around us.
DOUBLE EXPOSURE
Jeremy Cowart is a graphic designer.... Jeremy also spends his time on community projects, brainstorming innovative ways to use his camera to make an impact on his world around him, Highlighting class, human behaviour and society in which he lives.
Task:
Create a series of portraits in the studio.
Use filters to exaggerate light and hue in your shot.
Using Oil and Water create a series of images that can be overlay in photoshop on top of your portrait.
Explore colour combinations, pattern and form, create multiple layers to explore surface form to create an interesting reflection of your life, home and surrounding through making your own impact or statement.
Create Lens Flares
Make Your Photos Hazy With a Sandwich Bag
Soft-Focus Lens Effects
Make Your Own Coloured Lens Filters
Create a Rainbow Lens Flare Effect
Create and Mimic Film Burn With A Matchstick
Turn Your Smartphone Into A Pinhole Using Cardboard
Create a Coloured filter
Shadow Effects With a Tea / Colander Strainer
Everyday Objects as Props
THE LIST GOES ON!
Choose a hack, grab the resources available to you and start shooting.
ALTERNATIVELY
Grab the following Objects and Equipment that links to your idea and get capturing. You could capture the detail and quality of the form or alternatively use people and props to add another dimension.
NATURAL FORMS
OIL & WATER
INK & PLASTIC
PRISIM
GLASS OF WATER
LIGHTS
SCANNER
PROJECTOR
PLASTIC & SRAY (WATER)
FABRIC
AO3: Record your ideas both visually through quality photography (studio and location) and through annotation - analysing and describing.
Student Examples Below
through Experimental Photography and Studio Work
4. REFLECT & PRESENT.....
Coronavirus Pandemic
Black Lives Matter
Climate Crisis
Human Social Behaviour
Society
Patterns of Social & Relationships
Culture that Surrounds Everyday Social Change
Disability
Social Order & Class
Religion
Sexuality
Gender
Education
or your own sociology word that provokes a reaction amongst others.
By now you should have a series of photo and experimental pieces that have explore the concept of SOCIOLOGY.
You are asked to present 5 of your best manipulated images explaining briefly what and how Sociology in your work identifies with society, human social behaviour, patterns of social and relationships, social interaction, and culture that surrounds everyday life.
Get capturing with these simple HACKS
Week 5 & 6
SOFIA WALKER Yr.9
SAWYER WRAGG Yr.9
5. PRESENT & PUT IT INTO WORDS.....
Coronavirus Pandemic
LOCKDOWN 2021
LESSA SELWOOD
You have 5 Amazing images that have explored SOCIOLOGY
to you.
3rd May 2021
DEADLINE for ENTRIES
You are asked to submit your best and FINAL Photograph Outcome and a paragraph (100-250 words max) to explain how the photo interprets the theme you chose
and its connection to
Sociology.
Making An Entry:
Enter before Monday 3 May 2021. Any questions can be directed to
photocompetition@sociology.cam.ac.uk
Results will be announced on our website in late May 2021. To be the first to hear about the winning entries, join the Department of Sociology outreach mailing list.
