School of Arts & Media

Module Information Summary (MIS)1

Exploring Photographic Practice
Academic
Yr:
2015/16
Credits:
20

Programmes on which offered2:

Level:
4

BA Photography
3

Duration :
6 weeks

Staff:
Module Leader

Teaching staff4

Support staff5

Matthew Andrew

Anna White

John Boothe

Internal verification
complete?6
External verification
complete?8

Yes
NA

Internal
verifier7
External
verifier9

Moira Lovell

Risk Assessment10:
Date completed

Completed by

Special instructions

12.09.15

Lawrence George Giles

Refer to hazard groups A, B & C

Module aims11:
To introduce the principles and delivery of photographic practice in three foundation skills areas:
A1: To provide an introduction to visual communication and photographic practices
A2: To develop an understanding of the various type of photographic practices that constitute and define
photographic communication
A3: To assess how historical photographic practices can inform contemporary approaches
A4: To develop students visual and critical awareness of the historical and contemporary contexts of photography
and the design aesthetic
Module intended learning outcomes12:
Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
ILO 1: Demonstrate an understanding of compositional theory in respect to photographic practice and outputs
ILO 2: Research and problem-solve compositional and design techniques related to photographic practice
ILO 3: Apply visual communication techniques to a variety of studio and photographic work scenarios
Transferable/Key Skills and other attributes (as indicated on MS1):
On completion of this module students will have had the opportunity to:
ILO 4: Identify key issues and trends in photographic communication
ILO 5: Apply new learning to production and photographic practice
ILO 6: Apply knowledge to create new visualisations
ILO7: Present using media & communication tools that can apply to photographic practice

Module schedule or scheme of work (content, dates, activities, interim deadlines, lecture programme, etc.):
Teaching
Week
1.

Day

Time

Group

Activity

Aims & Objectives

Monday 16 November 2015

10.00

All

Briefing

To introduce students to the module

aims and Intended Learning
Outcomes (ILOs). Learners will be
given a brief, which will help them
realise the modules ILOs.

Tutor-led
presentation
1:
The
photograph
as an
evidential
force.

2.

Students will be shown the work of a

number of photographers who work
with the theme of evidence. This will
help learners form their first
responses to the brief, which can be
evidenced in their blogs and
developing visuals.

13.30

Technical
skills
session:

This session will introduced students

to blogs and blogging. By the end of
thes session learners will understand
how to set up and appropriately use
a blog, and how blogs have been
used effectively by photographers
and others to showcase their
practices.

Tuesday 17 November
2015
Thursday 19 November
2015

10.00
13.30
13.30

B
C
A

Technical
Technical
Critique

See above

Friday 20 November 2015

10.00
13.30
10.00

B
C
All

Critique
Critique
Tutor-led
presentation
2:

Monday 23 November 2015

From
straight to
postmodern:
a look at
composition.

13.30

Technical

Students must bring early

photographic sketches and initial
research for peer feedback to help
them move their project forward
See above
This session will help students
understand the context in which
they are working as well as
introduce you them to themes and
practices within historical and
contemporary practices which, they
can apply to their own developing
project. This session looks varying
approaches to composing images.
This session will look at
composition, tripod usage and
controlled environments. Students
will use their cameras to frame and
move around their subjects.
Learners will look at how to
correctly use a tripod to steady their
camera and eliminate camera shake.
They will also look at how to control
the environment in which they are
working. By the end of the sessions
students will have the knowledge and
confidence to use the equipment

appropriately and effectively to

compose and createn images.

3.

Tuesday 24 November
2015
Thursday 26 December
2015

10.00
13.30
13.30

B
C
A

Technical
Technical
Critique

Friday 27 December 2015

10.00
13.30
10.00

B
C
All

Critique
Tutor-led
presentation
3:
Truths and
untruths:
editing,
manipulation
and ethical
questions

This session will help students

understand the context in which
they are working as well as
introduce them to themes and
practices within historical and
contemporary practices which, can
be applyed to their own developing
project. This presentation looks at
the debates surrounding manipulated
images in documentary practice.

13.30

Technical

This session will look at importing,

cropping and editing of images
(including adjusting file sizes and
histograms) in Photoshop as well as
file size and output. By the end of
the session students will have an
important yet basic set of skills for
working on images.

Tuesday 01 December
2015

10.00
13.30

B
C

Technical

See above

Thursday 3 December
2015

13.30

Crit

Friday 4 December 2015

10.00
13.30

B
C

Crit

Monday 30 November 2015

See above
Students must bring their work in
progress and research to date for
peer feedback to help them move
their project forward
As above

Technical
Learners must bring work in
progress and supporting research for
peer feedback. They should be
prepared to discuss their project
intentions and how they have
developed and where they will take
it next, to help move them move
their project forward
See above

Crit

4.

Monday 7 December 2015

10.00

All

Tutor-led
presentation
4:
From the
objective to
the
subjective: a
look at the
changing
face of
documentar
y practice.

13.30

Technical

This session will introduction

students to moving image capture on
smartphones. After this session
students should have a basic moving
image skill set to apply to their
developing projects.

10.00
13.30

B
C

Technical

See above

Thursday 10 December
2015

13.30

Crit

Friday 11 December 2015

10.00
13.30

B
C

Crit

10.00

All

Tutor-led
presentation
5:

Tuesday 8 December

5.

This session will help students

understand the context in which
they are working as well as
introduce them to themes and
practices within historical and
contemporary practices which, they
can apply to their own developing
project. This lecture looks at early
objective documentary approaches
and the recent shift to the personal
and subjective.

Monday 14 December 2015

Technical

Crit

From
Aftermath
to
Aftermath:
the changing
face of war
photography
and
photojournal
ism.

Tuesday 15 December
2015

Learners must bring work in

progress and supporting research for
peer feedback. They should be
prepared to discuss their project
intentions and how they have
developed and where they will take
them to, to help them move their
project forward
As above
This session will help learners
understand the context in which
they are working as well as
introduce them to themes and
practices within historical and
contemporary practices which, they
can apply to their own developing
project. This session considers the
shifts in photojournalism and war
photography to the embedded
photographer, conceptual
photojournalism as an art practice.,
amd the rise of the citizen photo
journalist.

13.30

Technical

This session will introduction

students to moving image editing and
output on smartphones. After this
session students should have a basic
moving image skill set to apply to
their developing projects.

10.00
13.30

B
C

Technical

See above

Technical

6.

Thursday 17 December
2015

13.30

Crit

Friday 18 December 2015

10.00
13.30

B
C

Crit

Leaners must bring work in progress

and supporting research for peer
feedback. They should be prepared
to discuss their project intentions
and how it has developed and where
they will take it next. The feedback
provided will help them prepare for
hand-in.
See above

Crit

Monday 11 January 2015

Self-directed

Use this time to prepare for hand-in

Tuesday 12 January 2015

Self-directed

Use this time to prepare for hand-in

Thursday 14 January 2015

Self-directed

Use this time to prepare for hand-in

Friday 15 January 2015

Hand-in

Deadline
Students will discuss the work
handed-in for assessment and receive
peer feedback.
As above

Monday 18 January 2015

10.00
13.30

A
B

Crit

Thursday 19 January 2015

10.00

Crit

Assignment details (project outline, essay questions, submission information, etc.):

Brief

Produce a series of photographs (between 6 12 images) or equivalent around the theme of

evidence.
Evidence may be interpreted in its widest sense of photography concerned with supporting a
body of facts or information indicating a belief or proposition that is true or valid.
You are required to produce your photographs in a variety of controlled environments,
however they must hold together as a cohesive series. Your work must demonstrate carefully
considered, deliberate and appropriate composition choices.
Your research, development and a final project statement must be evidenced in a blog. You must
pay particular attention to:
A. Demonstrating your understanding of composition (i.e. how others compose their
images, how you have experimented with composition and the decisions you have made
about composition in regard to your developing project and final work).
B. Your understanding of key issues and trends in contemporary and historical
photographic practice, thus evidencing your participation in the tutor-led presentations,

and research undertaken after these sessions, in imperitive.

C. Your week by week project development consisting of at least 6 shoots. Present all of
your ideas, experiments and reflection. You should show your reflections after
attending the weekly crits.
D. Your technical understanding and application. You should evidence your participation in
the technical sessions and how you have applied your developing skills to your project
work
E. You must evidence at least 10 critically acclaimed photographers whose work has had
influence upon your own. You must demonstrate how you have understood, engaged
with and utilised their work.
F. Showing your understanding of what you have done by writing a short project
statement (200 words). You should resent this at the end of your blog.
Submission

HT011/HT006 tbc
Series of images (6-12) 10 x 8 (or equivalent i.e. moving image by negotiation with staff)
CD (containing all deliverables) The images in your disc must be Tiff files at 10in x 8in at 300dpi
Your files should be saved to the following format:
Your first name_Your surname_Evidence_1.Tiff
Your first name_Your surname_Evidence_2.Tiff
Etc.
Blackboard:
PDF download of your Blog saved as:
Your first name_Your surname_Evidence_Blog.PDF
Series of images (6-12) jpegs 5in x 4in at 96dpi. Your files should be saved to the following
format:
Your first name_Your surname_Evidence_1.jpeg
Your first name_Your surname_Evidence_2.jpeg
Etc.
IMPORTANT INFO FOR HAND-IN

Please ensure all of the items you submit clearly state your name
All work must be submitted to the School officemby 4pm to avoid penalties

Dont forget to submit work to Blackboard by the deadline other wise your submission
will be classed as late

Dont forget to submit a CD

Assessment criteria for module13:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Creatvity
Critical Judgement and analytical skills
Enquiry and use of sources
Knowledge and understanding of subject matter
Technical skills
Visual Communication

Bibliography
Linfield, S. (2010) The Cruel Radiance , London: The University of Chicago Press.
Tagg, J. (1988) The Burden of Representation , Basingstoke: Macmillian.
Rosler, M. (1992) In, Around and Afterthoughts (On Documentary Photography). In Bolton, R. ed The Contest of
Meaning: Critical Histories of Photography, Boston: MIT Press, pp.303-340.

Richin, F. (2013) Bending the Frame: Photojournalism, Documentary, and the Citizen. New York: Aperture
Sawdon, R., Langford, M. and Fox, A. Langfords Basic Photography: The Guide for Serious Users, Oxford:
Focal Press
Seawright, P. and Coppock. C. ed (2006) So Now Then. Manchester: Cornerhouse Publications
A comprehensive reading list can be accessed at http://lasu.salford.ac.uk

Component description

Weight

Deadline

Submission
location14
(if excepted from esubmission)

Specific
assessment
criteria15

Final assessment
Components
Component 1:
6 -12 photographic prints (60%)
100%
Component 2:
Research (40%):

Friday 15
January
2016

Blackboard
HT006/HT011 (tbc)

Component 1:
1,5,6
Component 2:
2,3,4

This is how the deliverables will be assessed and how you should evidence the module
learning outcomes:
6 -12 photographic prints (60%)
Demonstrate an understanding of compositional theory in respect to photographic practice and outputs
Apply visual communication techniques to a variety of studio and photographic work scenarios
Apply new learning to production and photographic practice
Apply knowledge to create new visualisations
Research blog (40%)
Research and problem-solve compositional and design techniques related to photographic practice
Identify key issues and trends in photographic communication
Apply new learning to production and photographic practice
Present using media & communication tools that can apply to photographic practice
Information about feedback:
Formative feedback points
within the module16

19 Nov15/20 Nov 15, 26 Nov 15/27 Nov 15, 3 Dec 15/4 Dec 15, 10 Dec 15/11
Dec 15, 17 Dec 15/18 Dec 15

Date of summative
feedback17

05 February 2016

Please complete this form in reference to the approved Module Specification form (MS1) go to the online repository for the latest
version: https://collaboration.salford.ac.uk/ops/pmsc/SitePages/Home.aspx. Guidance notes are provided for staff benefit these can
be removed as you finalise the document for student use.
2
Please indicate the programmes the module forms a part of.
3
Duration of the module should not exceed 12 weeks for modules that operate within a semester. Long, thin modules should not
exceed week 12 of the second semester in which they operate.
4
Please list other teaching staff involved in delivering the module (if applicable).
5
Complete where applicable.
6
Please indicate yes once internal verification is complete. The standard verification template must be completed in addition to this
form.
7
Please provide the name of the internal verifier who should be an academic who is independent of the module.
8
Please indicate yes unless the module is not subject to external verification where NA should be indicated. (Refer to the policy
Assessment & Feedback for Taught Awards for further guidance:
http://www.governance.salford.ac.uk/cms/resources/uploads/File/AQA/Assessment_and_Feedback_for_Taught_Awards.pdf.) The
standard verification template must be completed in addition to this form.
9
Please provide the name of the external verifier who should be the relevant External Examiner.
10
Please complete in reference to the Schools Health & Safety policies and procedures.

11

Ensure information provided here matches the approved detail as it is outlined in the relevant MS1.
Ensure information provided here matches the approved detail as it is outlined in the relevant MS1.
13
List all assessment criteria to be utilised within the module here and number cross-reference to specific assessment criteria box.
14
Use the following standard statement here unless the component is formally exempted from e-submission: Not applicable
submission is electronic see assignment details for further information.
15
Complete by listing numbers of relevant assessment criteria, in reference to assessment criteria for module box. Refer to footnote
10.
16
Provide information here on formative feedback opportunities for students that are provided within the module.
17
Please record the date by which feedback will have been returned to students ensuring you adhere to the policy of return of feedback
to students within three weeks of submission. Where you have one component only please remove reference to component 2.
12