understand conventions of photography and genres such as portrait, landscape and documentary

Photography – IGCSE Art & Design (0400)

Learning Objective

Students will:

• Understand the main conventions of photography.
• Research and record visual ideas (first‑hand and secondary).
• Experiment with a range of photographic media (minimum 2 media for the coursework).
• Create work in three key genres – portrait, landscape and documentary – while considering social, cultural, ethical and audience contexts.

1. Visual Research & Recording

1.1 Sources of Research

• First‑hand: school environment, local community, personal experiences.
• Secondary: online archives (e.g., Magnum Photos), museum collections, photographer monographs, social‑media platforms, books, documentaries.

1.2 Organising the Sketchbook

• Page layout: thumbnail sketch + date + source + personal response + cross‑reference number (e.g., “see image #12”).
• Colour‑coded tabs for each genre or theme.
• Technical notes: lens, aperture, lighting, ISO, filter, media choice.
• Research entries must be numbered so they can be referenced in the final commentary.

1.3 Annotation Tips

• Photographer’s name, year, cultural background, observed symbolism.
• Brief reflection: “What feeling does this image evoke? How could I adapt it?”
• Identify the intended audience for the image you are planning.

1.4 Quick Checklist – Visual Research

• ☐ First‑hand and secondary sources recorded.
• ☐ Each entry dated and numbered.
• ☐ Cross‑references to later images added.
• ☐ Audience and cultural context noted.

2. Technical Foundations – Core Conventions

2.1 Composition

• Rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, balance, symmetry, negative space.
• Scale: use focal length and distance to control perceived size of the subject.

2.2 Lighting

• Natural vs. artificial.
• Direction – front, side, back.
• Quality – hard vs. soft.
• Colour temperature – warm vs. cool.

2.3 Focus & Depth of Field

• Aperture choices (f‑numbers) and their effect on background blur.
• Focal length influences perspective and depth.

2.4 Perspective & Angle

• Eye‑level, high, low, bird’s‑eye, worm’s‑eye, tilt‑shift.

2.5 Exposure (The Exposure Triangle)

• Shutter speed, ISO, aperture – each affects the other.

2.5.1 Simple EV Reference Chart

EV	Aperture (f)	Shutter Speed (s)	ISO
12	f/4	1/125	100
13	f/5.6	1/250	100
14	f/8	1/500	100
15	f/11	1/1000	100

Use the chart to find a starting point; then adjust one element while keeping the EV constant.

2.6 Colour & Tone

• Colour balance, white‑balance, colour temperature.
• Black‑and‑white conversion, contrast control.

2.7 Post‑Production

• Cropping, retouching, colour correction, tonal grading.
• File formats: RAW (for flexibility), JPEG (final output).
• Printing techniques – inkjet, silver‑gel, darkroom prints.

2.8 Quick Checklist – Technical Foundations

• ☐ Composition principles applied.
• ☐ Lighting plan recorded (type, direction, quality).
• ☐ Aperture, ISO, shutter speed chosen using EV chart.
• ☐ Scale and perspective considered.
• ☐ Post‑production workflow noted.

3. Media & Process Exploration

The Cambridge syllabus recognises six photographic media. Students must use **at least two** different media in their coursework (digital, film, camera‑less, photomontage, animation, mixed‑media). Recycled or alternative materials are encouraged.

Media	Description	Quick Classroom Trial
Digital photography	Electronic sensor; immediate review; RAW workflow.	Capture a 10‑image series on a smartphone, edit in free software (e.g., GIMP).
Film (35 mm or medium format)	Light‑sensitive emulsion; requires development and printing.	Shoot one roll, develop black‑and‑white prints in the lab.
Camera‑less (photograms, pin‑hole)	Image created without a lens; direct exposure of light‑sensitive material.	Make a pin‑hole print on black paper using a cardboard camera.
Photomontage	Combining multiple images (digital or analogue) into a new composition.	Cut and paste printed photos to create a narrative collage.
Animation (stop‑motion or time‑lapse)	Series of stills displayed in rapid succession.	Record a 5‑second time‑lapse of clouds moving over a landscape.
Mixed‑media (photo + drawing, painting, collage)	Integrating photographic prints with other art media.	Print a portrait and overlay charcoal shading to emphasise mood.

Media Checklist for Coursework

• ☐ Minimum two different media selected.
• ☐ Recycled or alternative materials noted (if used).
• ☐ Process photographs or notes recorded for each medium.

4. Photographic Genres

4.1 Portrait Photography

Goal: reveal personality, mood or status of a person or group.

• Typical focal length: 85 mm – 135 mm (full‑frame) for flattering perspective.
• Key conventions: eye‑level focus, shallow depth of field (f/1.8‑f/2.8), controlled lighting (Rembrandt, split, butterfly), simple background.
• Considerations: pose, expression, cultural markers (clothing, setting), relationship with subject, intended audience.

4.2 Landscape Photography

Goal: convey the character, atmosphere and scale of a place.

• Typical focal length: 14 mm – 35 mm (full‑frame) wide‑angle.
• Key conventions: foreground interest, leading lines, golden‑hour lighting, deep depth of field (f/11‑f/16), use of polarising or ND filters.
• Considerations: weather, time of day, sky‑to‑land ratio, cultural landmarks, environmental impact, audience (e.g., tourism vs. conservation).

4.3 Documentary Photography

Goal: record real events, social issues or everyday life with honesty.

• Typical focal length: 35 mm – 70 mm (standard) for candid shooting.
• Key conventions: context, storytelling, minimal staging, ethical practice, decisive moment.
• Considerations: timing, consent, relationship with subjects, narrative sequence, cultural sensitivity, audience (public, policy‑makers, community).

Genre Comparison Table

Aspect	Portrait	Landscape	Documentary
Primary Goal	Reveal character or emotion	Show beauty or character of a place	Record reality and tell a story
Typical Lens	85 mm – 135 mm	14 mm – 35 mm	35 mm – 70 mm
Depth of Field	Shallow, subject isolated	Deep, everything in focus	Variable – chosen to support narrative
Lighting	Controlled, often artificial	Natural, often golden hour	Available; flash only when ethically justified
Composition Focus	Eyes, facial features, pose	Foreground interest, leading lines, sky‑land balance	Context, environment, decisive moment
Scale & Perspective	Subject size controlled by focal length & distance	Wide angle expands depth; foreground emphasizes scale	Standard focal length keeps subjects life‑size
Intended Audience	Personal, editorial, commercial	Travel, environmental, artistic	Community, news media, advocacy

5. Cultural, Social & Ethical Lens

5.1 Research into Artists & Cultural Influences

• Choose **one historical** and **one contemporary** photographer whose work relates to your chosen theme.
• Investigate how history, politics, tradition or technology shape their visual language.
• Record findings in the sketchbook with image examples, citations and a short commentary (150‑200 words).

5.2 Ethical Checklist for Documentary Work

• Has informed consent been obtained?
• Are subjects represented respectfully and without stereotyping?
• Could the image cause harm or reinforce negative narratives?
• Am I avoiding staging or excessive manipulation that would alter the truth?

5.3 Social & Cultural Context Prompt

When you begin a series, answer the following in your sketchbook:

1. Who is the intended audience?
2. What cultural or social issue am I addressing?
3. How do my technical choices (lens, lighting, colour) support that message?

5.4 Cultural & Ethical Checklist

• ☐ Historical & contemporary photographer cited.
• ☐ Cultural background of subjects researched.
• ☐ Consent and representation issues documented.
• ☐ Audience identified for each image.

6. Knowledge of Artists & Historical Styles

Familiarity with key photographers helps situate your work within a tradition.

Photographer	Genre / Style	Suggested Classroom Activity
Ansel Adams	Landscape – Zone System, black‑and‑white	Re‑create a classic Adams scene using the Zone System for tonal control.
Diane Arbus	Documentary – intimate, marginal subjects	Photograph a local community group, reflect on power dynamics.
Vivian Maier	Street/Documentary – candid, self‑portraiture	Spend one hour on campus shooting candid moments; edit a 5‑image narrative.
Steve McCurry	Portrait – vibrant colour, cultural context	Create a portrait series highlighting cultural dress and environment.
Humans of New York (@humansofnewyork)	Portrait / Narrative – digital, text‑image hybrid	Combine a portrait with a short interview caption; print as a mini‑zine.

7. Key Techniques for the Exam

1. Plan a series that explores a single theme across the three genres; record the plan (research, thumbnails, media, audience) in the sketchbook.
2. Use thumbnail sketches to test composition, lighting, lens choice and media before shooting.
3. Depth of field guide:
   • Shallow: f/1.8 – f/2.8 (portrait, isolate subject).
   • Deep: f/11 – f/16 (landscape, keep foreground‑background sharp).
4. Apply the exposure triangle. Start with the EV chart, then adjust one element while keeping the EV constant.
5. Develop a consistent post‑production style (e.g., colour grading, black‑and‑white conversion) and document each step with before/after images.
6. Write a reflective commentary that links technical decisions to artistic intent, cultural research and audience.

Reflection Template (to attach to each genre series)

1. What was my original intention?  
2. Which technical choices supported that intention (lens, aperture, lighting, media)?  
3. How did cultural/social research influence the final image?  
4. What worked well and why?  
5. What would I change in a future iteration?  
6. Who is the intended audience and how might they interpret the work?

8. Suggested Classroom Activities

• Portrait Light Lab: set up three‑point lighting, record ratios, mood, and compare results.
• Mini‑Landscape Walk: use a fixed focal length (e.g., 24 mm) and natural light only; produce 5 images showing foreground interest.
• Storytelling Sprint: create a 5‑image documentary sequence on a school‑related theme; write a brief narrative caption for each.
• Media Rotation: each week try a different photographic medium from Section 3; add a thumbnail + process notes to the sketchbook.
• Artist Comparison: select a classic image from the “Knowledge of Artists” table and produce a modern reinterpretation using a different medium.
• Peer‑Critique using the Conventions Checklist: exchange work and assess composition, lighting, depth of field, cultural relevance and ethical handling.

9. Assessment Tips

• Show clear evidence of research, planning and visual recording in the sketchbook (checklists ticked).
• Demonstrate consistent use of genre‑specific conventions through composition, lighting, depth of field and media choice.
• Include a reflective commentary that links technical decisions to artistic intent, cultural context and audience.
• Maintain technical quality: sharp focus where required, correct exposure, accurate colour or tonal balance.
• Document experimental media (film, pin‑hole, photomontage) with process photographs or detailed notes.
• Ensure at least two different media are evident in the final portfolio.