80084 Photography and Fashion
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Description
This subject facilitates an approach to thinking around, and practical application of, the language of fashion photography. The subject introduces students to a wide range of contemporary and historical references within fashion photography and relates these histories to globally relevant technical developments in the field. The subject aims to help students develop their own ideas by researching and collating reference material with aesthetic and conceptual considerations? and translating these references in ways that have industry applications. The subject also broaches industry standard practices such as pitching to clients and communicating concepts to a team who help execute industry ready outcomes. Students work individually and collaboratively to develop their own fashion shoot, through independent and guided research, as well as instruction in technical knowledge.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
| 1. | Innovatively approach and utilise photographic and media technologies and techniques in fashion-based photography projects |
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| 2. | Communicate ideas effectively in a variety of ways including oral, written and visual, and to engage in discussion in studio contexts |
| 3. | Initiate and execute self-critique, critical thinking and self-directed iterative processes, taking responsibility for actions and decisions in academic and fashion industry contexts |
| 4. | Engage with and respond to subject learning activities, and produce outcomes that integrate these learning activities in inspirational and innovative ways |
| 5. | Develop and demonstrate a knowledge of photography and fashion history and theory, sourcing and utilising references from photography, fashion and broader disciplinary and fields |
| 6. | Position creative work in photography, fashion and extended practical and technical contexts |
| 7. | Work cooperatively and professionally as part of a team in order to contribute to peer learning, and work in ways relevant to fashion and photography industries |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:
- Work cooperatively and professionally as part of a team, initiate partnerships with others, take a leadership role when required, and constructively contribute to peer learning. (C.1)
- Communicate ideas effectively in a variety of ways, including oral, written and visual. (C.3)
- Create designs that respond to their context in formally or conceptually innovative ways. (I.1)
- Advance ideas through an exploratory and iterative design process. (I.2)
- Independent development of high level technical and craft skills for the production, presentation and documentation of work. (I.3)
- Ability to innovatively and critically use a variety of digital technologies. (I.4)
- Awareness of and/or engagement with the local and global design community. (P.2)
- Independently engage in self-directed learning and select and apply appropriate methodologies specific to the project. (P.4)
- Source, evaluate and utilise appropriate academic and professional references. (R.1)
- Demonstrate knowledge of design history and theory and to place creative practice within a historical and theoretical framework. (R.4)
- Reflect and engage in self-critique and critical thinking. (R.5)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:
C = communication and groupwork
A = attitudes and values
P = practical and professional
R = research and critique
I = innovation and creativity.
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).
Teaching and learning strategies
An intensive studio based workshop running over two weeks combining historical, theoretical and technical instruction to guide students in producing new photographic work in response to the language, themes and techniques of fashion photography. Each week students will be asked to familiarise themselves with a range of different online written and visual resources that relate to the topic; these are included in the program descriptions. Students will then attend tutorials and workshops and must be prepared to ask questions, raise ideas and apply their understanding of the topic in a collaborative learning environment.
Preparation in advance of workshops is crucial. All resources related to preparation are accessible via Canvas and as indicated by the studio tutor. Workshops will allow students to work with peers to collaborate on projects directly relevant to the assessment tasks, and develop photographic skills in a practical context. The collaborative activities undertaken by students reflect industry practice.
Studio tutorials will provide students with the opportunity to take ownership of the ideas encountered in preparatory reading and research provided on Canvas and independently sourced by students. The tutor will help facilitate discussion and offer expert insight and direction where needed, but students are primarily responsible for the collaborative and participatory nature of the tutorial. Students are responsible for recording feedback received during studio sessions. Outside of class time, students are expected to extend the enquiries made in the collaborative learning session with the independent development of their assessment projects. Students are supported in these projects by access to level 2 photo media facilities.
Assessment for this subject is both formative and summative. Formative is provided through iterative feedback in studio sessions. Formal grades, marks and feedback on submitted tasks will be provided through Canvas or ReView.
Content (topics)
Subject content generally includes:
1. The history of fashion photography in relation to cultural contexts and technical advancements in the field. In particular, the subject will look at historical and contemporary fashion photographic references through the thematic lens of subcultural, photojournalistic, gender & sexuality play, artifice and vulgarity
2. Photographic and lighting skills such as those required to use the Canon 5D mk 111 in studio and outdoor fashion photographic shoots, as well as the use of a variety of lenses and lighting equipment
3. Styling for the camera: including different approaches to extend, accentuate, deconstruct the physical body using costume, hair and makeup to develop characterisation, sell products and develop narrative through the photographic medium
4. Directing a model: strategies for directing a model to camera to execute the desired effect in form and motion that is of industry standard and allows for a variety of shots from which to edit
5. Digital post-production skills: tools in shooting to, and editing within, Capture One Pro both for in-studio shoots or on location, and retouching skills using Adobe Photoshop
6. Means of integrating critical thinking and self-directed research into technical execution
7. Different approaches to research for fashion and photography outcomes, including the sourcing and use of textual and visual material
8. Tools and techniques for the presentation and communication of ideas to clients/art directors
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Group devised shoots in response to themes
| Intent: | In task one students work in groups to experiment with styling and composition. Students will be encouraged to use makeshift materials and to emphasise performativity to create dynamic photographic imagery. This task encourages students to explore how to extend, accentuate and deconstruct the body in creative and innovative ways relevant to fashion photography. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 3, 4 and 7 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): C.1, I.2, I.4 and P.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Project | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 20% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Mood boards pitch to client
| Intent: | Drawing on experiments from task one, students will refine and qualify their interests relating to the subject’s core themes by undertaking a mood board. In this task, the students explore an in-depth analysis into a particular photographic language and create their own fashion shoot from the rigorous collection and use of reference material. Mood boards will then be used to form the basis of an ‘industry ready’ presentation or pitch. Here students will develop and demonstrate the skills needed to communicate their concept for a fashion photographic shoot. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 2, 5 and 6 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): C.3, P.2, R.1 and R.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Project | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 30% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Self-directed fashion shoot
| Intent: | Working from your pitch document / mood board developed in assessment Task 2, you will create your own advertorial photographic shoot through building a sequence of images that convey a narrative surrounding your elected product. This advertorial will communicate the technical and critical knowledge gained throughout this unit’s learning activities. The task facilitates experience in styling, set building or location scouting, costume construction, lighting design, composition and directing a model. You are expected to attempt numerous iterative processes to achieve a final three double page spreads of images for presentation. You may also consider making a Fashion Film of 4 minutes duration. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): C.1, C.3, I.1, I.3, I.4 and R.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Project | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 50% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.