1. (A01) ART3
Research, Analysis of 2 conceptual influences
Title - Photographer Analysis (Photographers name and body of work title)
Once you have found your first and/or second photographer; Research and Read!
Ensure you understand the concept and have enough information.
There should be 4 subheadings
1. Conceptual Practice
2. Extracting Concept,
3. Photographic technique
4. Inspiration.
Don’t forget to link text and images as much as possible. Always have images to reflect
what you are writing and do not be afraid of using arrows and circles to point specific
elements out. A good technique is to print cropped sections of an image out separately
to show in detail what it is you are discussing.
(Section 1) Conceptual Practice
Within this area research and discuss;
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
What is the purpose and meaning of the work?
What was the photographer trying to achieve?
Who was it about?
Why did the photographer shoot the body of work?
What was the context in which the body of work was made?
Is it personal to them in anyway?
Does it have a political or social message/discussion in its concept/purpose?
What genre does the body of work fall into, is it a sub genre or a hybrid?
You should conduct additional contextual research, this will help you gain A and B
grades. This means researching the issues the concept discusses but not just
researching photography. Research outside of photography and allow your findings
improve your understanding of the body of work. For example if the body of work you
are analyzing is Zed Nelsen’s Disappearing Britain, you would research into one of the
industries that has disappeared in the U.K and write about how and why this has
happened.

2. (Section 2)Extracting the concept (2 images)
Carefully choose two images from the chosen body of work which best reflect the
concept. Start off the individual image analysis by stating; “You can read the concept
of the body of work within this image by.........Then discuss how the specific image
reflects the concept, purpose and meaning. You may need to consider and could use as
subheadings;
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Location
Body Language
Use of lighting
Facial Expressions
Items, Props, Iconography
The subjects Age, Class, Race, Gender, Subculture,
Context
(Section 3) Photographic technique (1 image)
This section is where we really get influence and inspiration in terms of visuals and
techniques. “A” grade projects always have strong visual influences. You should
investigate what techniques have been used and justify your opinion.
Ensure logical and justified analysis of;
•
Use of – Aperture, Shutter Speed, I.S.O
(Discuss the relationship of the three, Depth of field, Motion Blur, Lighting
conditions/source, Noise/grain)
•
Lighting technique
(Rembrandt, Edge, Butterfly, Low key, Hard, Soft, Ambient (How will this alter
aperture, shutter speed, ISO, refer to concept/mood the light creates, how does the
light fall on the subject?, what are the connotations?, high lights, low lights,
contrast, saturation does it help communicate the concept?) Use terms like - Key
Light, position of light position of the subject.
•
Composition
Vantage Point – Low, Eye Level, High, Dutch, (Why? Does it link to concept?
Framing/shot type, CU, ECU, LS, MS, ELS, (why? Does it link to concept? Is there
use of rules of thirds, leading lines, symmetry?
(Section 4) Inspiration
•
•
•
How has this project influenced you? Technique? Concept? Ideas?
Have any of your ideas changed?
If you like any of what you have analysed in section 1, 2 or 3 and plan to try it in
your own project, make sure you document the details here.