NEW PLYMOUTH GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL VISUAL ARTS DEPARTMENT
2026
‘Photographic Constructions’
Assessment: Internal Credits: 4 Version: 2
Develop ideas in a related series of drawings appropriate to established photography practice
Assessment Criteria
Achievement
Develop ideas in a related series of drawings appropriate to photography practice.
Achievement with Merit
Clarify ideas in a related series of drawings appropriate to photography practice
Achievement with Excellence
Extend ideas in a related series of drawings appropriate to photography practice.
Student Instruction Sheet
Introduction
This assessment activity requires you to develop ideas in a related series of drawings appropriate to established practice.
You will be introduced to a range of ‘modes of presentation’ and editing which will be investigated through workshops to produce a series of photographs that develop ideas. You will have access to a selection of appropriate established practice, and this will be used to inform their own ideas and methods. Firstly, you will establish a proposition based on a concept of interest to them.
You will have approximately 8 weeks to complete this activity.
Your Environment photoshoot
Your first photoshoot is based on your environment and could involve your home, workplace, sport, hobbies and/or family.
You will use My Environment task sheet as a guide. You will consider exterior and interior space, light source and still life objects. You will also explore various compositional and pictorial devices including viewpoint, depth of field, selective focus, distance from subject matter and horizon line.
Brainstorm and Proposition
This will be completed in your Visual Arts Diary OR Class Notebook. Activities will be provided to assist with the development of a Proposition. You will establish a Proposition (a direction in which you intend to head) to help develop and extend your ideas. Provide details of your ideas, selected pictorial devices, techniques and artist models that you intend to refer to.
Some Topic suggestions:
· Using self, expression, wellbeing
· Personal history, ancestry, culture
· Documentary of a particular place or person
· Personal interests (e.g., sport, music, dance)
· Photography room still life objects and themes (Medical, travel, photography)
You will be introduced to AS 2.4 and shown previous external folios.
‘Modes of Presentation’ Photoshoots (your choice of subject matter)
You will complete a series of photoshoots to generate and develop your photographic skills and present an example of each ‘Mode Type’.
You will need a series of images which explore the ‘Mode Type’ of Sequence, Grid, and Digital Manipulations. You will be given information about each ‘Mode Type’ and shown examples.
Complete an example of each:
1. Sequence
2. Grid
3. Digital Manipulation
Go through each photoshoot and edit out unsuccessful images. Print a copy of each proof sheet, cut up and assemble a series of work linking to the genre listed above. Glue stick into your visual diary.
Proposition Photoshoot no: 1
Take a photoshoot (min: of 60 images) based on your Proposition. Consider using a range of pictorial devices. Photograph at different times of the day.
Digital Editing and Hand Craft Workshops
From your proof sheets select your most successful images to use in the Digital Manipulation and Collage/Photomontage workshops. The chosen editing techniques are aimed at extending and clarifying your ideas linked to your proposition.
Your teacher will facilitate workshops based on various Digital Manipulations and you will be provided with detailed handouts of guidelines.
Print your images 6x4” size only on the laser printer and present on your A1 portfolio panels.
Proposition Photoshoot no: 2
Reflect on your Photoshoot no: 1 and think how you could clarify and extend your ideas. Take a second photoshoot (min: 60 images). Consider using a range of pictorial devices. Photograph at different times of the day.
Photomontage
You will research the convention of photomontage and make two Photomontages from your own Proposition photoshoots. View the slideshow for examples and instructions.
Formative Assessment: Week 8, Term 2
Summative Assessment: Week 2, Term 3
Resource A
Sequencing
Duane Michals
Lorna Simpson
Tracey Moffat
David Hilliard
Kelli Connell
Collage/Photomontage
Abigail Reynolds
Amy Friend
Paul Butler
Jerry Takigawa
John Stezaker
Christopher Relander
Natalia Wiernik
Lisa Reihana
Grid
Bernd and Hilla Becher
David Hockney
Nate Larson
Tatana Kellner
Gerhard Richter
Starn Twins
Robert Frank
Explanatory Notes (91317) 2.3
1 This achievement standard is derived from The New Zealand Curriculum, Learning Media, Ministry of Education, 2007, Level 7 strands, Understanding the Visual Arts in Context, Developing Practical Knowledge in the Visual Arts, Developing Ideas in the Visual Arts and Communicating and Interpreting in the Visual Arts; and is related to the material in the Teaching and Learning Guide for Visual Arts, Ministry of Education, 2010 at http://seniorsecondary.tki.org.nz.
2 Definitions:
Develop ideas refers to responding to and building on a concept, subject matter, problem, or situation, in drawings appropriate to established practice.
Clarify ideas refers to analysing, reflecting on, and further developing a concept, subject matter, problem or situation, in drawings appropriate to established practice.
Extend ideas refers to critically analysing, evaluating, and further developing a concept, subject matter, problem or situation, in drawings appropriate to established practice.
Related series refers to a set of drawings that demonstrate a connection.
Drawings refers to ongoing thinking, working and decision-making, which may involve different processes, procedures, materials and techniques.
Appropriate to established photography practice refers to the use of particular characteristics and constraints from established practice within the field.
3 Conditions of Assessment related to this achievement standard can be found at www.tki.org.nz/e/community/ncea/conditions-assessment.php.
Assessment schedule: 2.3 Photography (91317) ‘Photographic Constructions’
Evidence for Achievement
· The student develops ideas in a related series of drawings appropriate to photography practice.
· The student’s body of photographs demonstrate the development of ideas and are informed by established practice.
For example:
The student selects and develops a series of photographs based on their proposition about decay and deterioration.
Photographic images are based on the exterior space of an old shed explore light at different times of the day and uses pictorial devices such as viewpoint, texture and depth of field. Ideas are generated through devices and moving around the outside of the space. Landscape around the shed supports idea development.
Evidence for Achievement with Merit
· The student clarifies ideas in a related series of drawings appropriate to photography practice.
· The student has generated ideas with a series of photographs. Informed by established practice, they have selected their most successful drawings for clarification and further conceptual development.
For example:
The student analyses and further develops a series of photographs based on their proposition about decay and deterioration.
Photographic images are based on the interior and exterior space of an old shed explore light at different times of the day and uses pictorial devices such as viewpoint, texture and depth of field. Objects inside the shed expand on subject matter. Ideas are generated through devices and moving around the inside and outside of the space. Landscape around the shed supports idea development.
Evidence for Achievement with Excellence
· The student extends ideas in a related series of drawings appropriate to photography practice.
· The student has generated ideas with a series of photographs. Informed by established practice, they have selected their most successful drawings for clarification and extension.
For example:
The student further develops, critically analyses, clarifies, and extends the series of photographs based on their proposition about decay and deterioration.
Photographic images are based on the interior and exterior space of an old house and shed explore light at different times of the day and uses pictorial devices such as viewpoint, texture, perspective and depth of field. Objects inside the house and shed expand on subject matter. Ideas are generated through devices and moving around the inside and outside of the space. Landscape around the house and shed supports idea development.