Overall Comments
The work submitted for this assignment and the exercises carried out indicate a good level of development in your approach to photography. There are still some areas of technical skill in using the camera that need attention as there is a tendency for some of the images to be soft in focusing. In your learning log and written work you have started to engage with research and I was pleased to see that you have visited a number of recent exhibitions. This has opened up to you a new set of experiences and influences across a range of creative practice. Your comments on the work that you have viewed are descriptive in nature and need to become more analytical in relation to the content that could provide further opportunities for research.
You have also evidenced that you can produce a body of work based around a theme
Your learning log is clearly laid out and fairly easy to follow. You have researched the work of other photographer’s and this will have an impact on your own approach to image making however I would like to see more in depth analysis of the work of other practitioners.
The recommended exercises that you have undertaken demonstrate your growing awareness of techniques that you can use in your work. You have reflected upon some of these processes of image making. Overall a good submission
Assessment potential
I understand your aim is to go for the Photography Degree and that you plan to submit your work for assessment at the end of this course. From the work you have shown in this assignment, providing you commit yourself to the course, I believe you have the potential to succeed at assessment. In order to meet all the assessment criteria, there are certain areas you will need to focus on, which I will outline in my feedback.
.Feedback on assignment
The concept of this piece of work is interesting however as a set the overall similarity of the images make a repetitive sequence that does not fully engage the viewer with the work. At one level this is set is simply a series of images of statutes. As I stated in my previous feedback for assignment 1 how do you try to connect the images to the ideas that you engaged with – is this through technique, composition or conceptual ideas. How do you communicate to the viewer? Should the use of text be considered?
There are a number of reasons why the images have a similar feel and this can be put down to the weather on the day, the prevailing lighting conditions, the format selected, the location and perhaps not responding flexibly to the situation as it evolved. In relation to the latter within your learning log you show an image of the homeless tents next to a monument and in many ways this image speaks volumes. The idea of contrasting different situations with the idealism and historical contexts represented by the monuments immediately allows us to find greater meaning within the images. The homeless image, the child playing around the monument unites past and present. This could have been an area to develop.
What is clear is that you are attempting to create work that has a social/political context and you are willing to risk exploring your image making in uncharted areas in an effort to communicate your ideas. Keep this up but do reflect deeply upon your approach through an analysis of the results.
On a technical level the set overall appears to be almost tinted with a bronze appearance that does not correspond to other images I have seen of these subjects. You saw the flare on the Pankhurst image, before submission. Why submit this image? Develop a critical eye and reject.
Coursework
You have followed the prescribed exercises and recommended reading and commented upon the content. The reflections you have made upon this work indicate that you are willing to assimilate new technical approaches into your image making.
Research
You have followed the prescribed research for the assignment and have visited exhibitions. The comments that you have made about the latter indicate possible areas for future research. It is important to question the work that you are looking at as well as the context of production and viewing. So looking at Sander’s work we see an incomplete project but having an influence to this day. This could lead to considering the impact photography has had in the social, cultural and political spheres as well as critically asking the question are we superimposing meaning on work that may have been produced for a different purpose. Again looking at Martin Parr’s work particularly the image of the man eating we might well consider the impact that this image might have on the subject. Has the photographer depersonalized or dehumanized the subject without establishing a context for the image or indeed simply just to exploit the image. There are a number of instances when Parr has been taken to task over at this kind of image making and it would be worthwhile researching to consider alternative viewpoints. Another thing that you mention it is the use of titles and this is another area where it would be profitable to engage in further research about the relationship of image to text. When you ask a question about a piece of work try to follow it up with research and critical reading.
Learning Log
The learning log continues to develop in a coherent manner and it is well illustrated with the work of other practitioners. Do include your own work in the log especially alternative images and contact sheets. Use the log to reflect and critique your own work as an on-going part of your practice. Do use it to explore and examine other media and other issues. I was taken with the image of the young woman by Mancini that you included in the log. You wrote about his use of the grid in creating the painting and it would be useful to know what conclusion you drew from this practice. This particular technique has been used by artists for a long time along with many other tools and devices to assist in the creation of work. This might create some debate in relation to the use of technology in Art both historical and contemporary.
Continue to use the learning log as a means of developing your creative thinking underpinning the making of work. Do link it in to an engagement with critical reading. This will allow you to look in depth at your practice and to consider a wider range of possibilities in your making of images.
Overall you have made a good attempt to create work with a strong thematic concept and have demonstrated a willingness to be challenged, to question and to reflect upon the medium.
Pointers for the next assignment / assessment
Consider the assignment brief in relation to a chosen theme. Give weight to your opinions with evidence of critical reading. Reflect and evaluate your work through critical analysis.
Suggested reading/viewing
Summary
| Strengths | Areas for development |
| Good engagement with exercises and prescribed research. Visits to exhibitions and reflection upon work seen. Willingness to attempt work that deals with thematic issues, | Research and reflect in greater depth on own work. Engage with independent critical reading relevant to work. Technical quality of images needs to be critically analyzed prior to submission. |
Jenna Powell - Expressing Your Vision 