Formative feedback

Student name Anne Bryson 507559

Course/Unit Photography 2: Landscape

Assignment number Part 1

Type of tutorial Written

Overall Comments The submission was well structured and showed that you carefully took on board many of the required elements. The coursework notes present a coherent and investigative approach, connecting the work of other artists to your preparatory work means that there is some active learning combined with practical application of photography skills taking place. The work submitted expresses a commitment to the practice and understanding of the subject of this module. Assessment potential I foresee no issues at this stage with your submission and would expect that upon submitting you would achieve a positive result in assessment. Assignment 1 You may want to get credit for your hard work and achievements with the OCA by formally submitting your work for assessment at the end of the module. More and more people are taking the idea of lifelong learning seriously by submitting their work for assessment but it is entirely up to you. We are just as keen to support you whether you study for pleasure or to gain qualifications. Please consider whether you want to put your work forward for assessment and let me know your decision when you submit Assignment 2. I can then give you feedback on how well your work meets the assessment requirements.

Feedback on assignmentDemonstration of technical and Visual Skills, Quality of Outcome, Demonstration of Creativity

The application and control of technique combined with a specific framework of reference has resulted in a series of images which express a subtle yet evocative melancholy. The arrangement and format of the main series has been considered in terms of colour and framing.

The above images and the follow on work formally are presented tall, however I’m not sure if this is intentional or due to the way the page’s work (i.e. as A4 tall etc.). However, this is still something to consider. The book making which you undertook clearly shows a considered approach to narrative, the pace between each image is at the forefront of your mind. What is exciting is the addition of the visual reference to the work of Helen Sear. There is a sense of interruption of the field of vision, the lattice type elements placed in front and behind of the subject depicted resonate back and forth. The very flatness of the medium and its descriptive qualities become very much disturbed by what seems a very formalist approach.

CourseworkDemonstration of technical and Visual Skills, Demonstration of Creativity Good to see that a number of images have been edited with careful attention to post-production, the treatment applied is done with some very careful technique. The application of ‘real’ material brings back a sense of your ability to develop thinking and practice together. The hybridization of both the lens based work with an element of montage and the analogue has added a further layer of meaning. The methodology applied demonstrated creativity and visual skill. (https://annebrysonland.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/ass1- exp-0042-2.jpg) This image is striking and complex visually and metaphorically.

ResearchContext, reflective thinking, critical thinking, analysis

There is a varied amount of research activities that took place. It’s possible to connect the relationship between the visual and contextual. Your note about exercise 1.9 is noted, many ‘contemporary’ photographers often present such elements as a way to explore tension both in terms of the actual depicted space and geography and also in terms of a polemic. In a google search for ‘rich and poor’ under images I found this photographerhttps://www.unequalscenes.com/

Internet based research is always difficult as it is dependent upon search terms used, there’s sometimes an element of ‘luck’ in this respect, but as you develop further you’ll be able to make connections between what is relevant in terms of photo-art practice and other forms of visual materials.

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/research-publications/the-sublimeYour discussion about the sublime shows comprehension.

Learning LogContext, reflective thinking, critical thinking, analysis Reflectivity is good, do keep thinking about how to connect other art forms to your approach. Maybe cinematic and film genres might give you further comprehensive material for discussion. There are a number of photographers (known for landscape work) worth exploring too, Wim Wenders – also Robert Frank made a compelling road movie.

Visiting exhibitions is key too, you mention the possibility of seeing work by Helen Sear, seeing work in situ is always an important aspect learning.

Suggested reading/viewingContext

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris,_Texas_(film)

https://binged.it/2CPH43S

It is worth watching this film as it presents a particular view of the American Landscape - almost as ‘a fantasyland’, a place of striking images, a mise-en-scène of desert and city. The depicted landscape references many other similar films – in particular to John Ford's 1956 film The Searchers.

Pointers for the next assignment / assessment

Do reference the film I mention above – the subject of ‘Road’ is discussed in part 2.

There is much in this section to consider, it might be useful to download some kind of GPS app for a smart phone – there are a number where you can geo-locate the site and place of your photographs. Explore how new technologies have been embedded in recent photo-geographies etc.

Please inform me of how you would like your feedback for the next assignment: written or video/audio.

Strengths Areas for development

Strong Visual Aesthetic

Good Research

Explore other art forms such as film and video, observe and crossovers and interactions.

Tutor name Andy Hughes

Date 13.9.2018

Next assignment due End October 2018