Unit 1.2: Portrait TransformationsGCSE Photography

1. Preparatory Tasks

a) Visual Research: Collect a minimum of 12 different portraits that are relevant to the theme of ‘Portrait Transformations’. Label them with the name of the photographer, title of image and date taken. Add five keywords to each image.

b) Brief: Type out a 150-word brief, explaining your ideas and which photographers you will be analyzing and why?

c) Artist Profiles: Choose two artists whose work fits in with your ideas and complete a ‘Form, Process and Content’ analysis using the sheet provided.

3. C&C Tasks

Produce a final response to the theme of Portrait Transformations that brings together your research and recorded observations. Be creative with your presentation: Consider whether it should be window-mounted, a relief, a mini installation, etc..

4. Final Response

Success Criteria

✓ ensure that your research is relevant to the theme of portrait transformations

✓ experiment with a range of techniques and ideas rather than just focusing on one idea

✓ show a technical improvement between each set of observations

a) Digital: Take a close up portrait of someone (i.e. head and shoulders) using your digital camera. Transform it by cutting it up and re-configuring it. Manipulate four portraits.

b) Negative: Using the film negative of yourself, transform your print by using some of the techniques learnt from your photograms project.

c) VLE: On the VLE, choose one of the tasks under ‘Transformations: Tasks’ and complete one of your choice.

Resources

Visit the VLE and Flickr GCSE Photography area for links and advice about how to develop your ideas further.

2. Independent Tasks

a) Choose one photographer from your visual research in which to make a practical response. Take a set of observations (40 pictures) and print out and mount in PD.

b) Make a selection of six of your favourite prints, print out and mount in PD.

c) Annotate/comment on your ideas and technical considerations. Finally end with a statement about how you are going to improve/develop your ideas in the next set of observations.

d) Take a further set of observations improving on your previous work and remembering to annotate your selections.

Above: Examples by other GCSE Photography students