Creativity Connecting
through Photography
Critical & Contextual Studies
Course Aims:
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To support you develop your ideas and produce a critique that provides a theoretical framework for your portfolio of work.
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To help you gain comprehensive knowledge as well as critical and contextual understanding of the photographic field of your choice.
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To support you to explore thoroughly aspects of photography in a social, political and historical context.
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To consolidate your critical thinking, analytical and reflective skills so that you can articulate abstract concepts into coherent written information.
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The emphasis will be on context and extended written analysis to be accompanied by a relevant visual, portfolio of work.
Robin Dolan
Why are People Obsessed with Light?
The course at a glance
Part 1 - Over To You - Related Studies
The Related Studies is an investigation into a subject of your choice. Choose a subject that runs parallel alongside that of your Personal Investigation for your coursework. You will complete an extended written response of between 1000-3000 words and MUST be Harvard referenced and contain a bibliography.
Part 2 - Personal Investigation
Drawing on the knowledge you have accumulated, you will begin to plan and undertake your Personal Investigation. This will be from a starting point of your choice and will encompass detailed critical analysis and contextual research on your chosen topic along with a related practical portfolio. Alongside this you will complete an extended written response of between 1000-3000 words.
Part 3 - Externally Set Task
In your final year you will choose from a series of starting points set by our exam board, produce a body of written and visual work and complete a 15 hour exam.
Get Thinking and Commit
STATEMENT OF INTENT
Create a word document of 500 words that gives a detailed outline of the subject you would like to explore further and how you will investigate it.
You must address and ask yourselves the following questions:
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Which topic would you like to explore and how does this connect to your personal investigation??
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Are there a Genres/Techniques/Artists you have studied so far that will be included?
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What will your final outcome be:
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Poster/Awareness Campaign, Magazine article, Advertising campaign etc.
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How will you use different design elements in your work? Formal elements such as colour, tone, texture, shape and form in relation to your chosen topic.
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Who is your target audience?
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How will ideas, feelings and meanings can be conveyed and interpreted in the images you create?
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How does your enquiry link to contemporary social issues?
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Ensure you are:
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selecting and using materials such as web-based research, gallery or site visits, books, journals, and other relevant resources
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selecting, interpreting and scrutinising research material with the use of relevant subject terminology
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understanding and using conventions when interpreting the impact/effect of social, religious and cultural contexts and local and global trends
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undertaking critical analysis to ascertain and discuss appropriate historical, social and political contexts.
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RELATED STUDY:
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Advancing your Writing Skills - Start with a working title for your Related Study that can be re-worded, changed through the investigation, but must be an integral part of your personal investigation. How do you plan to present this aspect of your coursework, a Book, Magazine or website, Its completely up to you.
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Anthony G
Exploring the troubles in Northern
Critical and Contextual Studies involves a sustained project on subjects such as the function of art, curation, autobiography and art, beauty, the representation of women and modern architecture.
Expanding upon these starting points you will research your own areas of interest, producing essays and a practical outcome.
Consider the list below to start your Critical & Contextual Studies
or
find one of your own.
Combinations of these areas are also possible and could make for an interesting Studies for both Related and Coursework!!
How is the Human form Represented
Architecture and the Built Environment
Intervention in the Environment
Fine Art/Conceptual photography
Portraiture and Gender Identity
A list of Previous Statements students investigated for their Critical Contextual Studies.
What are the consequences of new technologies on young people’s mental health?
‘Big Brothers watching’ exploring anonymity and privacy through conceptual photography.
Exploring Cornish Heritage – documenting relics and ruins the traces they leave behind.
Man’s relationship with fire is both complex and ancient, how does this relate to modern society?
Perception and identity – How portrait photography helps us to identify who we are.
Promoting Body Positivity in youth culture – The extent to which social structures
damage and limit opportunities for women.
The list below is to give you an idea of what previous students have investigated for their Critical & Contextual Studies.
Feminism in photography: Making equality visible
Allissia explored Feminism and Equality for her Critical Contextual studies. Here you can see her outcome as a Magazine, along with her sketchbook.
Allissia Related Study was Integral to this investigation.
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How do We Capture Light in Photography?
Harley explored Light in Photography. Here you can see her outcome as an Album Art, along with her sketchbook.
Remember the Related Study is the driving force of this investigation.
Making The Invisible Visible – The Visibility and Representation Of Queer Women In Photography
Yzella explored Queer Women in Photography through her...."My Community" as she put it.
Here you can see her outcome as a Magazine along with her sketchbook. Yzella's Related Study became the driving force of this investigation and steered her personal investigation away from Street Photography.
