Photography Coursework (:

[overkill-gb]

Hey guys.

I'm half way through my AS level photography and struggling a bit with brainstorming some idea's for my coursework and exam piece sections.

Topics I have to do a contact print (36 exposures) on are:

Framed by - (archway, door, tree's etc)

Close up - Saving up for my tamron 90mm so I can take some close up insect shots with my d90.

Unusual viewpoint - no idea.

Noisy and busy

Sad - maybe some studio work?

Weather

Light and shade

Some of them I just have no idea what to do for them and would much apreciate some guidance. I'm such a novice still

I live in melton mowbray, I can't drive yet so travelling is limited. But my parents and friends are willing to transport me places if any of you have any suggestions.

Finally my exam piece is 'Stacked'

I have to do a few final prints on my title stacked to complete my AS course. I have taken two films as of yet and one digital contact print so far, most of which I did using some bed sheets in my dining room as a neutral background and then photography various household items in a stacked pose. However I think what there looking for is stuff on a larger scale also. I hope to go to Birmingham bull ring (selfridges) to photograph the architecture. I feel I could justify the exterior looking almost stacked

Many thanks.

Rob.

 

[mastertrinity]

unusual viewpoints sounds quite interesting as you can do bugs eye views etc.

 

[cowasaki]

I'm half way through my AS level photography and struggling a bit with brainstorming some idea's for my coursework and exam piece sections.

My son is taking that starting this year!

Framed by - (archway, door, tree's etc)

Shouldn't be too difficult

Close up - Saving up for my tamron 90mm so I can take some close up insect shots with my d90.

Tubes, raynox etc often quite helpful. Coins/stamps etc make a good first thing to practice on and they don't walk off.

Unusual viewpoint - no idea.

Tall building from 2 feet away.
Car from underneath.
portrait from underneath (careful) or straight down.

Noisy and busy

Street scene.
Shopping centre.
Ant hill

Sad - maybe some studio work?

Certain dogs.
Poke a child in the eye (joking!)

Weather

Did you get any snow shots?

Light and shade

This is possibly shouting for some black and white......

Finally my exam piece is 'Stacked'

I have to do a few final prints on my title stacked to complete my AS course. I have taken two films as of yet and one digital contact print so far, most of which I did using some bed sheets in my dining room as a neutral background and then photography various household items in a stacked pose. However I think what there looking for is stuff on a larger scale also. I hope to go to Birmingham bull ring (selfridges) to photograph the architecture. I feel I could justify the exterior looking almost stacked

Like that idea and maybe you could get the Noisy and Busy bit

Also if you are going to the bull ring you are not far from spagheti junction..... What about that for "unusual viewpoints" and getting something from maybe underneath.

 

[MG TF 135]

Framed by - as alreasy mentioned, this one should be quite straight forward. You can frame most subjects with various things.

Close up - bit of macro work but try and stay away from the usual shots, coins, pencils etc. Try and think outside of the box. Insects are good, but difficult to capture. Got any old electronics? Circuit boards can be fun.

Unusual viewpoint - i would figure out a theme on this one. Insects view is again a good one. What about a photo from the computer monitors viewpoint.

Noisy and busy - Live near and airport? Could you get a shot of a house under the flight path with a plane over head? Maybe a shopping centre? Or as already mentioned a bust road.

Sad - another difficult one. Sad times tend to be very personal times so be careful where you point the camera.

Weather - I would try and stay away from getting a picture of the weather. Maybe try and capture the effects of weather. Rain drops dripping off a gutter, frosted grass or sunbaked, cracked earth. Another flip side on weather is the human reaction to weather. People battling the weather or when we finally get some sun, enjoying the weather.

Light and shade - black and white will emphasise light and shade more, but will also show up textures too. This could worrk for or against you. Classic light and shade work is portraits with selective lighting.

Stacked up - another difficult one. A hot topic at the moment is the throw away society we live in. Can you find a recycling centre and get a photo of old TV's or washing machines? Car scraps yards stack things high and again cars are a topic always in the news. What about the economy? Shipping containers are sitting in docks at the moment while business is down, could be worth trying to get a shot.


Some shots may be difficult to get and require permissions to use a camera. Don't be scared to write to people in charge and explain that you are a photography student. Another tip that i have seen is sketching the shot you are trying to achieve first so you have an idea when you actually get to the subject.

Good luck on your course.

 

[Arkady]

I hate to sound disparaging, but shouldn't this be a test of your own imaginative qualities, rather than just asking others to come up with ideas for you?

Sure, we could do all the leg-work for you, but will that make you a better photographer? Why don't you exercise your own mind - you might surprise yourself...

 

[MadMacro]

I hate to sound disparaging, but shouldn't this be a test of your own imaginative qualities, rather than just asking others to come up with ideas for you?

Sure, we could do all the leg-work for you, but will that make you a better photographer? Why don't you exercise your own mind - you might surprise yourself...

Right on.....

 

[Arkady]

I'll soften the blow a little (bad day at the office here)... If you need technical assistance, I'll be more than happy to lend a hand, but I really think that you need to work these ideas out for yourself...
That's what your tutors will be looking for - original ideas...your original ideas...

 

[TG.]

If you need technical assistance, I'll be more than happy to lend a hand, but I really think that you need to work these ideas out for yourself

Very good advice as above, people on here can and will help you with the technical side of things, but for a project like you describe, imagination and creativeness must really come from within, best of luck with it

 

[Vic]

I'll soften the blow a little (bad day at the office here)... If you need technical assistance, I'll be more than happy to lend a hand, but I really think that you need to work these ideas out for yourself...
That's what your tutors will be looking for - original ideas...your original ideas...

I'd slightly disagree. Imagination is a key point but every tutor will encourage you to research ideas before deciding on your final plan. Asking for opinions or "brainstorming" will all be part of forming this, after all is there such a thing as an original photograph now?

 

[artyman]

With the SAD one you could get someone to pose at a grave in a local cemetary, placing flowers , something like that.

 

[Arkady]

I'd slightly disagree. Imagination is a key point but every tutor will encourage you to research ideas before deciding on your final plan. Asking for opinions or "brainstorming" will all be part of forming this, after all is there such a thing as an original photograph now?

Asking for opinions isn't quite the same as asking total strangers to come up with ideas for you - 'Brainstorming' assumes a degree of to and fro...
First come up with an idea, then punt it out for consideration, maybe...then we could add comments and other ideas based on that original premise.

 

[Arkady]

With the SAD one you could get someone to pose at a grave in a local cemetary, placing flowers , something like that.

What??? and risk being beaten with a cricket-bat for doing something so obvious and hackneyed?