2015 Paper
1 The weather
The weather impacts on people and the environment. It has provided a source of inspiration
for many filmmakers and photographers. They have observed a range of weather conditions
and the effect that the weather can have on individuals and the environment. Consider
appropriate images and make your own response.
2 Creative use of light
Photographers and filmmakers have recognised that the way in which an object or setting is lit
can affect the mood and atmosphere of the image. This can be achieved by ambient, artificial
or studio lighting. Investigate the creative use of light, refer to the appropriate work of others
and explore a range of approaches.
3 Photomontage
Photographers have often used photomontage to create new realities. They have used both
traditional and digital techniques and have sometimes chosen to express ideas or to make a
personal comment about issues that interest them. Refer to relevant examples and respond in
your own way.
4 Sportspeople
Various techniques have been used by photographers and filmmakers to create images that
capture the excitement of various sporting activities. Both the spectators and the participants
have been the subject of the images. Make reference to appropriate examples and explore
this idea in your own work.
5 Evidence
People often leave behind evidence of their activities, sometimes on a grand scale, and
sometimes in much smaller detail. Photographers have been inspired to record evidence that
may have been left behind intentionally or unintentionally. Explore this idea, making reference
to the appropriate work of others, and make your own response.
1 Contact sheets
The contact sheet is an important device for selection and evaluation, but some photographers
have chosen to use the idea of a contact sheet as the basis for the final image. Examples of
this approach can be seen in the work of William Klein, Thomas Kellner and Martin Wilson.
Refer to appropriate examples and make your own response.
2 Challenging traditional representation
Some photographers and filmmakers have chosen to produce images that challenge traditional
representation. Examples can be seen in the work of the filmmaker Alfredo Jaar and the
photographers Hiroshi Sugimoto and Uta Barth. Investigate relevant examples and respond in
your own way.
3 Aspects of the landscape
Documentary filmmakers and photographers such as Fay Godwin, Kate Mellor and
James Ravilious have responded in personal ways to the landscape. Investigate appropriate
examples and produce your own response to aspects of the landscape in a location that
inspires or concerns you.
4 Unusual portraiture
Photographers have occasionally chosen to represent their subjects in unusual ways.
Examples can be seen in the jumping portraits of Philippe Halsman, the ‘Crying Men’ series
by Sam Taylor-Wood and the carefully arranged work of Tim Tadder. Investigate appropriate
examples and techniques and produce your own response to unusual portraiture.
5 Viewpoint and composition
Some work produced by Berenice Abbott, Edward Burtynsky and Josef Schulz demonstrates
that dramatic images of familiar objects and environments can be created by careful selection
of viewpoint and close attention to composition. Investigate appropriate examples and create
your own images that explore the dramatic possibilities of viewpoint and composition.
6 Multiple images
Pep Ventosa, Idris Khan, Hans Eijkelboom and David Hockney have explored the idea
of presenting multiple images in different ways. They have used various techniques and
processes that include digital layering and collage. Refer to appropriate work of others and
create a personal response using multiple images.
7 Documenting in colour
Some photographers have chosen to document in colour particular aspects of life that
are of interest to them. In their work, colour is an essential part of that process. Different
approaches can be seen in the work of Martin Parr, Ernst Haas and Raymond McBride.
Research appropriate examples and produce your own work to a theme of your choice.
8 New realities
Digital imaging techniques have provided opportunities for photographers and filmmakers
to create new realities. Nancy Burson has used digital techniques to invent fictional people
and Gilbert Garcin has created work that is surreal and absurd. Consider a range of relevant
examples and produce your own work.
2014
1 Story Telling
Photographers and filmmakers often tell a story in a series of pictures. Sometimes, a single
image is produced which tells a story through a number of clues. Make reference to the work
of relevant photographers and filmmakers and produce your own work.
2 Reflections
Photographers and filmmakers have recorded reflections that they have observed. Their work
has often revealed surprising and abstract results. Study appropriate examples and make
your own response to this theme.
3 Personal Comment
Photographers and filmmakers have often created work that makes a personal comment about
the society in which they live. Make reference to the work of others and create your own
images that make a personal comment about the society in which you live.
4 Freezing Motion
Photographers often use fast shutter speeds and other techniques to freeze motion.
Their work can often reveal that which the eye cannot see. Investigate relevant techniques
and appropriate examples and produce your own images.
5 The Natural World
The forms, textures and patterns that exist in the natural world have provided a source of
inspiration for many photographers. Their work has revealed unexpected qualities of the
chosen subject. Produce your own work based on this theme, making reference to the work of
others.
1 The weather
The weather impacts on people and the environment. It has provided a source of inspiration
for many filmmakers and photographers. They have observed a range of weather conditions
and the effect that the weather can have on individuals and the environment. Consider
appropriate images and make your own response.
2 Creative use of light
Photographers and filmmakers have recognised that the way in which an object or setting is lit
can affect the mood and atmosphere of the image. This can be achieved by ambient, artificial
or studio lighting. Investigate the creative use of light, refer to the appropriate work of others
and explore a range of approaches.
3 Photomontage
Photographers have often used photomontage to create new realities. They have used both
traditional and digital techniques and have sometimes chosen to express ideas or to make a
personal comment about issues that interest them. Refer to relevant examples and respond in
your own way.
4 Sportspeople
Various techniques have been used by photographers and filmmakers to create images that
capture the excitement of various sporting activities. Both the spectators and the participants
have been the subject of the images. Make reference to appropriate examples and explore
this idea in your own work.
5 Evidence
People often leave behind evidence of their activities, sometimes on a grand scale, and
sometimes in much smaller detail. Photographers have been inspired to record evidence that
may have been left behind intentionally or unintentionally. Explore this idea, making reference
to the appropriate work of others, and make your own response.
1 Contact sheets
The contact sheet is an important device for selection and evaluation, but some photographers
have chosen to use the idea of a contact sheet as the basis for the final image. Examples of
this approach can be seen in the work of William Klein, Thomas Kellner and Martin Wilson.
Refer to appropriate examples and make your own response.
2 Challenging traditional representation
Some photographers and filmmakers have chosen to produce images that challenge traditional
representation. Examples can be seen in the work of the filmmaker Alfredo Jaar and the
photographers Hiroshi Sugimoto and Uta Barth. Investigate relevant examples and respond in
your own way.
3 Aspects of the landscape
Documentary filmmakers and photographers such as Fay Godwin, Kate Mellor and
James Ravilious have responded in personal ways to the landscape. Investigate appropriate
examples and produce your own response to aspects of the landscape in a location that
inspires or concerns you.
4 Unusual portraiture
Photographers have occasionally chosen to represent their subjects in unusual ways.
Examples can be seen in the jumping portraits of Philippe Halsman, the ‘Crying Men’ series
by Sam Taylor-Wood and the carefully arranged work of Tim Tadder. Investigate appropriate
examples and techniques and produce your own response to unusual portraiture.
5 Viewpoint and composition
Some work produced by Berenice Abbott, Edward Burtynsky and Josef Schulz demonstrates
that dramatic images of familiar objects and environments can be created by careful selection
of viewpoint and close attention to composition. Investigate appropriate examples and create
your own images that explore the dramatic possibilities of viewpoint and composition.
6 Multiple images
Pep Ventosa, Idris Khan, Hans Eijkelboom and David Hockney have explored the idea
of presenting multiple images in different ways. They have used various techniques and
processes that include digital layering and collage. Refer to appropriate work of others and
create a personal response using multiple images.
7 Documenting in colour
Some photographers have chosen to document in colour particular aspects of life that
are of interest to them. In their work, colour is an essential part of that process. Different
approaches can be seen in the work of Martin Parr, Ernst Haas and Raymond McBride.
Research appropriate examples and produce your own work to a theme of your choice.
8 New realities
Digital imaging techniques have provided opportunities for photographers and filmmakers
to create new realities. Nancy Burson has used digital techniques to invent fictional people
and Gilbert Garcin has created work that is surreal and absurd. Consider a range of relevant
examples and produce your own work.
2014
1 Story Telling
Photographers and filmmakers often tell a story in a series of pictures. Sometimes, a single
image is produced which tells a story through a number of clues. Make reference to the work
of relevant photographers and filmmakers and produce your own work.
2 Reflections
Photographers and filmmakers have recorded reflections that they have observed. Their work
has often revealed surprising and abstract results. Study appropriate examples and make
your own response to this theme.
3 Personal Comment
Photographers and filmmakers have often created work that makes a personal comment about
the society in which they live. Make reference to the work of others and create your own
images that make a personal comment about the society in which you live.
4 Freezing Motion
Photographers often use fast shutter speeds and other techniques to freeze motion.
Their work can often reveal that which the eye cannot see. Investigate relevant techniques
and appropriate examples and produce your own images.
5 The Natural World
The forms, textures and patterns that exist in the natural world have provided a source of
inspiration for many photographers. Their work has revealed unexpected qualities of the
chosen subject. Produce your own work based on this theme, making reference to the work of
others.