NCEA Level 3 - Visual Arts 2007

1. NCEA Level 3 - Visual Arts 2007 Examples of Candidate Work - Photography

2. Achieved

6. Achieved The proposition for this submission is indicated by the concerns of the six images that start panel 1. Viewpoint, cropping, lighting and depth of field make it clear that characteristics particular to photography combined with formal pictorial issues underpin the drawing study. • These concerns are analysed and clarified in a straight forward and systematic way for the remainder of panel 1 and the top of panel 2. • The idea of sequencing, introduced on panel 1 is analysed and clarified on panel 2, whilst changing depth of field to manipulate focal area. • Using the cards to draw through space was introduced on panel 1 and is used to regenerate ideas about the subject matter for panel 3. These ideas are used to produce original work for panel 3 that continues to work with its concerns of photographic practice. • Work produced shows a good knowledge of black and white photographic practice and the layout is clearly considered as an integral part of the communication of the pictorial ideas. • In order to reach Merit, this submission would have needed to be clearer about the purposeful clarification of its options. In some ways, the candidate seems to have ideas on panel 1, then explores one of these for panel 2 and another for panel 3. There is insufficient evaluation of these ideas for the award of Merit.

10. Achieved This submission sets out as a rather descriptive narrative or documentary of the pizza from making, cooking and selling through to eating. Many submissions of this kind have predetermined outcomes and are linear by their very proposition and therefore do not meet the criteria for regenerating ideas. • This submission does meet the standard as it carefully considers pictorial concerns throughout. Images are sequenced, viewpoint and depth of field are explored and on panel 3 and the joined image of the couple eating the pizza explores a different option for the communication of ideas and uses a further characteristic of contemporary photographic practice. • Purposeful clarification of this as an option for the production of work earlier in the submission to show the evaluation of this idea may have allowed the candidate to move to Merit.

11. Merit

15. Merit • This submission begins with a documentary approach to the sports game with several options for development considered by half way through panel 1 which are further analysed by the bottom of this panel. • The beginning of panel 2 reiterates some of these ideas and actually seems somewhat laboured until the pattern and repetition sequences, which clarify these ideas and regenerate options for further development. • Panel 3 reinforces this direction and the patterns are considered for their formal pictorial qualities as ends in themselves. • To reach Excellence, there would need to have been more done with this option on panel 3 to show depth and range. Perhaps using the patterns from the jerseys or numbers in addition to the shoes may have helped build an understanding of this range and depth. • The energy and vibrancy of the sport and action is reinforced by the candidates knowledge and understanding of the use of colour, and this aspect is operating above Merit level with fluency and purpose.

19. Merit Drawing is used to purposefully generate and analyse visual information on panel 1. There is sustained investigation of the subject matter and ideas are systematically evaluated throughout the sequences at the bottom of panel 1 and the top of panel 2. • The introduction of colour is purposeful and particular to the light bulb and explores the idea of the colour of light itself. Black and white and colour images are successfully integrated and the use of colour is subtle and considered through the gridded image at the bottom of panel 2 and the installation sequence on panel 3. • Making the candidate’s own photographs part of a further installation is an interesting proposition for regeneration of the subject matter. • In order to gain Excellence a greater depth and range of ideas needed to be understood as although there is lots of exploration through drawing on this panel, there is insufficient critical evaluation or synthesis of these.

20. Excellence

24. Excellence Drawing is used to purposefully set up and explore a range and depth of information about sight and seeing. Ideas regarding this information are analysed through the sequence of works half way through panel 1 and by the bottom of the panel a range of options have been considered and ideas regenerated to include optics, optical devices and prisms. • The introduction of colour at this point is consistent with the conceptual development and adds to the pictorial intentions within the works. Black and white and colour are integrated with understanding and purpose. • There is sustained engagement with both ideas and pictorial issues throughout panel 2 with tight, intelligent formatting and editing adding to the engagement with the individual pictures and the actual panel layout. This is reinforced on panel 3 where the submission itself becomes part of the subject matter and the act of “looking at” or “examining” the panel is the subject of the multi layered, complex works on the second half of the panel. • There is a feeling that the student is consistently engaged in their practice, thoroughly understands everything they are doing and at the same time, are having fun making their work.

28. Excellence This submission considers and questions notions of personal and family history, identity and self portraiture in a wide range of ways. • The candidate has looked at a wide range of established practice and has used and synthesised these with great insight in the production of their own work. • Sustained throughout is a quiet, reverent approach reinforced by the processes employed – sepia toner and crumpled “antiqued” prints selectively used with traditional darkroom black and white printing. The characteristics particular to this kind of photography are acknowledged and understood with fluency. • The grid format is used and understood through a range of established practice and pictorial approaches, adding to the criticality shown in the candidate’s work. • Underpinning the technical and formal considerations is a very real engagement with the conceptual issues being explored and the search for identity is clarified and information regenerated throughout this personal and highly engaging submission.