UNIT 3 - Personal Study

"The personal study should take the form of a written and illustrated dissertation."
The focus of the study should be specific and personal - related to your practical work for Unit 3. It should examine
in-depth the art work of particular photographers to whom your work relates.

DateDue
Title
This should tell the reader in brief what your study is about.
A two-part title can work well, perhaps with a big question
e.g.: Bang and Blast! - Machine imagery in the work of 3 British
modernist photographers
Less is more? Chaos vs Minimalism in Contemporary
Photography
Titles that pose problems or challenges can be good too
e.g.: The relationship between Documentary and Commercial
Photography Relationship to the truth
Introduction Start by writing 400-500 words of
Explain the personal connection and your interest in the subject analysis of a single artwork by an
and photographers you will be writing about. Include references artist that relates and has
and images to explain. influenced your own practical
Explain your intentions - what you hope to learn from the study. work.
o Mention where you are finding the information you need Put the artwork in context.
(i.e. where you have seen the art work). A mixture of
-who influenced the artist?
primary (galleries etc) and secondary (books, internet) What art movement are they
sources is ideal a part of (if at all)?
Explain your personal
Research and analysis connection to the work. i.e.
Investigate a few examples (5 or 6?) of how it relates to your own
o particular pieces by an artist you have investigated for studies
your practical work or Make a close FORMAL
o the specific work by 2 or 3 related artists analysis of structure,
Make a close analysis and evaluation of those pieces. composition, methods and
Relate your evaluation of the pieces to the focus of the personal materials with a focus
study on VISUAL QUALITIES and
Use criteria that relate to your title/subject artistic IDEAS/ MESSAGE
Consider the context of the work and find out how it connects to behind its making
other art movements and/or major artists of the period Use diagrams and visual to
Use diagrams and visuals to make your written points clearer make your points clearer if
appropriate. Present with
image of the artwork
Structure of essay
Divide the essay into sections in which you analyze each of the
artists work in turn.
o Develop an argument
o Answer the question that is at the heart of your title.
At the end of each section explain what the analysis has helped
you find out.
Link to the next section.
Conclusion
Summarise the conclusions you have come to from the research
and analysis
Make a personal judgment which shows that it is your own
viewpoint.
Relate your conclusions to your developing practical work
Bibliography: Keep a record as you go along of websites, galleries
you visit and books you read.
Presentation: Make sure the presentation of the illustrated
dissertation is immaculate. Word-process all the text. Lay the whole
book out before sticking anything down. Consult your teacher before
proceeding.
Notes: