u10 digital imaging & photography

U10: DIGITAL IMAGING &

PHOTOGRAPHY

Health Warning Please remember that the Exam Board

doesn’t provide MAs for anything beyond U4, so this is my best interpretation of the markgrids and other paperwork…

Note: this one needs easy and frequent access to a decent digi camera.. Or two… and lenses… and printers… and paper…

Scenario Well this is basically a Show And Tell Unit.

Here you are providing instruction and guidance on the techniques and skills involved in digital imagery – and the impacts of different elements on the outcomes. So this is a portfolio, culminating in something like the one I showed you in class, on the power of the digital camera combined with modern image manipulation software.

Task 1: The Kit Here you establish the ground rules:

Functions of a digital camera (detail depends on level)

Produce photographic evidence supporting statements made○ Basically, showing how file size, resolution,

focus and exposure change the image

Task 1: The Kit So start with an outline of what a decent

digi camera does. NOT a smartphone camera, not a hugely expensive SLR with bells and whistles.

How do you control each of these features?

And what happens when you do?

Markgrid – AO1 PASS

Candidates demonstrate some knowledge of the functions of a digital camera and how to control them.

They choose and set file size, resolution and selectively set focus and exposure.

They produce a range of images that demonstrate a sound knowledge of digital photography, taking account of the characteristics of a digital camera.

Markgrid – AO1 MERIT

Candidates demonstrate a good understanding of the digital format and its strengths and limitations.

They use the characteristics of the digital camera to enhance a chosen photographic situation.

They show a competent understanding of adjusting camera settings to achieve desired file size, resolution, focus and exposure.

They capture creative visual images that take advantage of the digital camera format.

Markgrid – AO1 DISTINCTION

Candidates demonstrate a thorough understanding of digital image creation and production.

They use the characteristics of the digital camera to enhance a chosen photographic situation.

They show an advanced understanding of adjusting camera settings to achieve desired, resolution, focus and exposure.

Candidates capture creative visual images that take advantage of the digital camera format.

The candidate’s digital photographs will show a thorough understanding of the digital format and its strengths and limitations.

Task 2: Nuts & Bolts So you took the photo. Great. Now what

about storage? What about formats for best effect/ smallest storage/ easiest sharing??? More explanation here – and as always, if you’re not sure whether to say it, remember it’s better to be looking AT it than FOR it when you’re talking coursework!


Candidates demonstrate a good knowledge of file types for digital photographs and data storage formats.○ Yeah, straightforward, but even at Pass this

means more than ‘uh, the camera stores it in, uh, jpeg, so I guess that works…!’


Candidates demonstrate a detailed knowledge of file types for digital photographs and data storage formats.

They explain and compare the different file types.


Candidates demonstrate a thorough understanding of file types for digital photographs and data storage formats.

They explain clearly and compare the different file types and identify the situations when each type is most suitable for use.

Task 3: New stuff for later Here you collect your images, looking

specifically at the next couple of AOs, when you have to manipulate them to create the portfolio. Think of a project image, incorporating a number of images you’ve created and some you’ve collected, and collect those new images now.


Candidates identify and collect new images from other sources and save them in appropriate file formats.

They should use these images in conjunction with their own images to produce new images for Assessment Objectives 4 and 5.


Candidates identify and collect new images from a range of other sources and save them in appropriate file formats.

They will use these images in conjunction with their own images to produce a range of new images for Assessment Objectives 4 and 5.


Candidates identify and collect new images from a wide range of other sources and save them in appropriate file formats.

They will use them in conjunction with their own images both digital and traditional to produce new, creatively rich images for Assessment Objectives 4 and 5.

Task 4: Pulling bits together Here you create your images showcasing a

range of skills and techniques: the number & range depends on your level. But here are those skills:sizing images, cropping and scaling/changing resolution/

adjusting image colour attributes, saturation / rotating, straightening / brightness, contrast / built-in effects

○ e.g. embossing, pencil/charcoal sketches


Candidates demonstrate a good understanding of manipulating digital images and modify them suitably using digital software.

They will use each editing technique listed at least once.


Candidates competently manipulate digital images and creatively enhance them using digital software.

They will use each editing technique listed appropriately at least once.


Candidates demonstrate mastery of digital image creation and enhancement, using industry standard software tools to a professional level.

This will include effective use of all the editing techniques listed.

Candidates will annotate their printouts to explain the choice of editing technique.

Task 5: New Stuff More techniques to exhibit this time – using your

own images:adding effects,

○ e.g. morphing, ○ using filters, ○ layers, ○ masks, ○ paths / photo enhancements / juxtaposition and

superimposition of images and text / multiple images / ○ photo restoration e.g. noise removal, lasso, feathering,

cloning, healing and correcting patches / palettes / changing colour balance / sharpening and softening / changing contrast

Task 5: New Stuff Things to note here:

Candidates should be aware of the rapid market changes in this field and of any new software and digital tools that may affect their creative toolbox. (so use ‘em!)

Candidates should produce before and after images as well as annotated screenshots showing a range of tools and techniques used on a range of photographs.

They must also explain why they have used those particular tools and techniques.


Candidates carry out complex image manipulation and creation using image manipulation software using a variety of advanced editing techniques.

They will use each of the techniques listed.



They will use each of the techniques and examples listed



They will use each of the techniques listed in the knowledge, understanding and skills as well as additional techniques.

They will independently source professional standard images and combine these with their own creative images to produce new, original pieces of work.

Task 6: Showing Off! Now you have to put it all into a portfolio

– one that makes the best of every effort, design, skill and technique shown.

You need to include feedback from others about the images (not me!)

You must annotate the images with the techniques used – preferably including the word ‘because’!

Task 6: Showing Off! We need to think about the impact of

paper type, printer style and ink/toner quality in this too.What effect is had by changes in dpi

setting?What about print size, and quality?How can printer settings change the effect?What impact is had by paper quality?


Candidates present the edited and unedited photographs in a portfolio and produce limited or no evidence of feedback.

The photographs are not presented to give the best effect and are accompanied by short annotations identifying the techniques used in creating, editing and printing the images


Candidates present the edited and unedited photographs in a portfolio and produce some evidence of feedback.

The photographs are clearly presented and accompanied by annotations describing the techniques used in creating, editing and printing the images.


Candidates present the edited and unedited photographs in a portfolio and produce detailed evidence of feedback.

The photographs are presented in an interesting and creative way and accompanied by annotations describing and justifying the techniques used in creating, editing and printing the images

Task 7: Was it good for You? So now look at this portfolio.

Look at its fitness for purpose, as well as the quality of the work

Compare it to the work of a professional in the same arena

Comment on your work, showing understanding of the photographic process & how it is used professionally


Candidates provide a review of their work covering quality rather than fitness for purpose.

They make few comparisons between their own work and that of professional photographers.

Their evaluations show a basic grasp of the photographic process and how it is used professionally.


Candidates provide a review of their work covering quality and fitness for purpose.

They make some comparisons between their own work and that of professional photographers.

Their evaluations show a sound understanding of the photographic process and how it is used professionally


Candidates provide a detailed analysis of their work in terms of quality and fitness for purpose.

They make critical comparisons between their own work and that of professional photographers.

Their evaluations show a complete understanding of the photographic process and how it is used professionally.