A2 – Evaluation against criteria

Demonstration of technical and visual skills – Materials, techniques, observational skills, visual awareness, design and compositional skills. (40%)

In this assignment I have used a variety of technical and compositional skills throughout the images. I wanted to show raw emotions of what I still have to deal with as an adult, from something that happened over 20 years ago.

I used a variety of materials that related to me and the context of the images, such as the use of a childhood teddy to show the feeling of “lonely”.

With the overall design of my images, I used text within a white canvas border. I have not used this technique before. However, I believe I executed it well.

While taking the images I played around with different angles:

Image 1,2,3 & 4 were all taken at eye level.

Image 5, 6 & 7 were taken from a higher level.

All images were edited in Lightroom to create a darker, dramatic feel. I also cropped each image to 8×10, I then transferred them to Photoshop where I added a white canvas border approx. 400×600 pixels (I wanted to the width of the canvas smaller than the height). I then added the text to the bottom of each image.

Quality of outcome – Content, application of knowledge, presentation of work in a coherent manner, discernment, conceptualisation of thoughts, communication of ideas. (20%)

I always knew I wanted to add text to this assignment with a canvas border around each image. I used my knowledge of Photoshop and Lightroom to do this. I believe my work is presented well and in a coherent manner. I presented them in a way I believe works best for my overall idea by considering each image’s composition as an individual and as a set.

Demonstration of creativity – Imagination, experimentation, invention. (20%)

My aim was to tell my story in a way that wasn’t too obvious, in a more creative way. I had to use imagination to produce images without physically describing what I wanted to say. I have used my creativity with the lighting of each image as I wanted to remain a dark feel however appropriately lighting the object. I also used my creativity with the different use of objects I used to explain my struggles, for example, the tap and the dandelion. I also experimented with reflections with images such as the pocket watch and the apples. I think these two images in particular strengthened with the use of reflection, as a way of self reflecting, is what I see in the mirror, really what others see?

I also experimented with the shutter speed, in particular, the tap image. I wanted the water drop to be as sharp and in focus as I could make it, being the most importance part of the image. I wanted the viewers to not only see the drip but to hear it as well.

Context – Reflection, research, critical thinking. (20%)

I have researched a few photographers work for this assignment. I have found Brooke Shaden’s work, in particular, relating to what I wanted to portray. She focuses a lot on intense childhood imagination and fear. Her images are a lot darker and more “fine art” than me. This is something I would like to ty in future assignments, to increase my confidence. However, I do believe mine tell the story I wanted to achieve.

I posted my work on the OCA C&N forum for the first time to receive feedback from fellow students. I also posted a link to my assignment on my personal Facebook page. I am very reluctant and excited to put my work out there for the community, my friends and family to view my vulnerability and to comment upon it.

Although I am still waiting for my feedback from Andy at this point, I am happy with my work and the outcome. I believe this is my best work of OCA yet. I have thoroughly enjoyed this assignment.