This document outlines the tasks and requirements for Unit 1.1: Portrait Transformations of the GCSE Photography course. Students are asked to take and manipulate digital portraits, complete tasks on the MLE, and conduct visual research collecting 12 portraits related to the theme. They must produce a brief explaining their ideas, analyze the work of two artists, take observational photos of a chosen photographer's work, and create a final response that brings together their research, observations, and creative presentation of their portrait transformations. The unit aims to have students experiment with techniques and show technical improvement over multiple sets of observations.

1. GCSE Photography
Unit 1.1: Portrait Transformations
1. Preparatory Tasks 3. C&C Tasks
a) Digital: Take a close up portrait of
a) Visual Research: Collect a minimum of
12 different portraits that are relevant to
someone (i.e. head and shoulders) using
the theme of ‘Portrait Transformations’.
your digital camera. Transform it by cutting
Label them with the name of the
it up and re-configuring it. Manipulate four
photographer, title of image and date taken.
portraits.
Add five keywords to each image.
b) MLE: On the MLE, complete two of the
tasks under ‘Set Tasks’ under Portrait
b) Brief: Type out a 150-word brief, explaining
your ideas and which photographers you
Transformations.
will be analyzing and why?
c) Artist Profiles: Choose two artists
whose work fits in with your ideas and
2. Independent Tasks complete a ‘Form, Process and Content’
analysis using the sheet provided.
a) Choose one photographer from your visual
research in which to make a practical
response. Take a set of observations (i.e.25
pictures). 4. Final Response
b) Make a selection of six of your favourite Produce a final response to the theme of
images, print out and mount in PD. Portrait Transformations that brings together your
research and recorded observations.
c) Annotate/comment on your ideas and
technical considerations. Finally end with a Be creative with your presentation: Consider
statement about how you are going to whether it should be window-mounted, a relief,
improve/develop your ideas in the next set a mini installation, etc..
of observations.
d) Take a further 3 set of observations
improving on your previous work and
remembering to annotate your selections.
Resources Success Criteria
Visit the VLE and Flickr GCSE Photography area ✓ ensure that your research is relevant to the
for links and advice about how to develop your theme of portrait transformations
ideas further.
✓ experiment with a range of techniques and
ideas rather than just focusing on one idea
✓ show a technical improvement between
each set of observations Above: Examples by other GCSE
Photography students