“If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” Robert Capa
Getting Focused
The word photography literally translates to “drawing with light.” For nearly two centuries, photographers have sought new means of expression while grappling with the increasingly complex tools and techniques that shape the medium.
Now it was the turn of our Year 10 art students, who recently embarked on an exciting project to hone their technical skills and demonstrate their potential. The Mise-en-Scène initiative aimed to combine foundational photographic techniques while fostering creative interpretation and personal style.
Mastering the Golden Trinity
The students delved into the «golden trinity» of photography: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Through practical workshops, they manipulated these settings to achieve many desired photographic effects. Extended shutter speeds created ephemeral images in the school corridors, while macro close-ups produced frozen moments at 1/1000 second – catching the instant when an apple impacted a glass of water.
Inspiration from the Masters
Each student was then challenged to research a prominent photographer. The selection included Ansel Adams, surrealist Man Ray, war journalist Robert Capa, and social commentator Annie Leibovitz. The ingenuity of these artists served as inspiration for the students’ own work.
Creative Interpretation and Mise-en-Scène
Armed with this inspiration and their newfound technical knowledge, the students embarked on projects that challenged them to interpret the style and approach of their chosen photographers. They planned mise-en-scène photo sessions – designing studio spaces, selecting models, coordinating make-up, and gathering props to bring their visions to life.
One student opted to shoot on location – choosing settings such as Dehesa deer park to enhance the compositions he found in Sebastião Salgado’s sprawling landscapes. With the aid of her obliging model (and fellow art student), another student used a period fashion piece to explore the interpretations of light in Adams’s photography.
Post-Production and Results
After wrapping up their photo shoots, it was time to refine their images using Photoshop. The resulting images were a striking blend of technical skill and creative expression, especially considering the brief timeframe in which the students acquired and applied their expertise.
This project has undoubtedly laid a strong foundation for these budding masters of light, who stood on the shoulders of giants and saw new paths to pursue their artistic quests. The Richmond Park School community congratulates their endeavours and eagerly anticipates the future works of these shooting stars!
Greg Williams
IGCSE Art Teacher and freelance artist
