Erik Knudsen

As part of our session today we have a guest lecture by Erik Knudsen this will be at 2pm as part of this you are expected to take notes either via notebook or iPad.
Also the session will be filmed via a flip video camera to allow you to evidence the talk into your blogs. The film will load into iMovie after today and be easily compressed to upload onto your websites.

http://www.onedayfilms.com/page/erik-knudsen

Blog Link, please attach to your own blog to aid learning;

http://www.onedayfilms.com/blog

Some of the films produced are;
The Silent Accomplice.
http://www.onedayfilms.com/page/silentaccomplice
Heart of Gold.
http://www.onedayfilms.com/page/heart-of-gold

plus many more viewable here;
http://www.onedayfilms.com/page/erik-knudsen

And the school of Media, Music and Performance;
http://www.smmp.salford.ac.uk/

Street photography gallery;
http://www.onedayfilms.com/page/streetphotography

Lesson Plan 2011/2012
Staff Name:	Stephen Davies	Location:	UC 207				No. of students:	5 year 1/ 9 year 2	Week:	8
Subject/ topic:	Guest Lecture – ERIK KNUDSON	Course:	Foundation Degree Digital Media Production				Date:	7th December 2011 1:15 - 4:30 pm
Aims:	Research – gather information and images Students are expected to take notes during the lecture Notes are required to be reflected upon				Objectives:		Learners will be able to: research and write notes on the visiting practitioner discuss the context of the work research – cultural influences write about the function, purpose and qualities of the work evaluate their findings by writing a critical review
Context statement: teaching assistant will take notes for learner who has disclosed autism and receives 1 to 1 classroom support. Visiting speaker themes cover E&D, personal and cultural experience examined though film-making
Teaching and Learning Strategies
Stage	Teaching/Learning Procedures/Activities			Group Work/ Small Group/ Individual Work		Differentiated Student Activities & Extension Opportunities			Resources to be used
Introduction 1:15 – 1:20	Take register, record absences Introduce aims and objectives All of this lesson is on the following tutor support website, www.fdcourse.blogspot.com Please refer to this to see all course info and network of student blogs / plus also available via tutor ipad please ask to see this.			Group		Listen and respond; teaching assistant will take notes, will have paper copies of information All students have their own personal blog websites which receive formative feedback on a regular basis ask to see student websites to see evidence of this all available on ipad.			Whiteboard blog websites via blogger
Development 1:20-3:00 (break) 3:00 – 3:15	All learners will attend the guest lecture in the H.E lecture theatre. Learners are expected to take notes and ask questions. All site are networked into tutor support website all student work is evidenced  on their own websites after the talk to aid reflective practice			Group		Tutor will speak to all of the learners individually or in small groups while monitoring the whole group. Aims and objectives will be read aloud and written on the board (Audio and Visual learners).			Handouts are available on Moodle and on blogger websites
Development 3:15 - 4:20	All learners will return to their classroom. Tutor recaps objectives			Group / Individual		Research and review tips will be required for some students, most students will reflect on the work, all students will make notes			Macs, blogs, journals
Consolidation 4:20-4:30	Tutor gathers the class together to reflect upon the learner’s outcomes and briefly discuss what the next session will involve.			Group		Listen and respond; teaching assistant will take notes, will have paper copies of information Add reflections and associated research, thoughts and ideas onto blogger websites that each student has to evidence all their course work for the units that I deliver.			Macs, blogs, journals

Blog Link to Studio

After our visit I now have set up a way to keep in touch with the studio via a blog, which you can connect into and follow;

http://adrianheapyphoto.blogspot.com

Please follow this and keep in touch with them as part of this course and the units that you have to meet.

Case Study

Based on the studio visit last week to Adrian Heapy Photography I want you all to start and put together an in depth response to that visit. In this way you will be meeting the requirements of the course.
It needs to take the form of an analysis of each area of the business clients and professional practices.

Year 1 
It fits with a portfolio of information relating to legislation and industry guidelines describing its impact on the sector.(1,000 words) also read the units carefully to make sure to do what it says on the tin.

Year 2
Exploring professional responsibilities and qualities required for leadership and management, adrian had alot to say about this (did you take notes?, bet you wish you had now!).
This also meets the module for Personal Development in Specialist Pathway, offering the opportunity to investigate processes and skills associated with positions of responsibility in the workplace, and also the associated legal, ethical and practical constraints.
Plus expand further with the usual reflective writing to explain fully the impact, influences, thoughts and ideas this visit will of surely caused.

What were the questions that were asked and what replies were given to your questions and that of others, evidence all of this on your blogs with supporting images and videos that you took.

Studio size and location (why there)?
Type of work they undertake and why?
How has he been in photography and where did he start?
What areas have been profitable over the years and why?
Client depth and breadth across uk?
Requirements of kit, type and suitability to subject and why?
Etc...etc...etc...

Type of cameras used and why?
What does he use now, what processes used to exist before digital and where were they done?
Digital Workflow and how it is managed, what methods do they use and why, security, Archive systems etc...
Photoshop and it uses within the studio..etc...best practice
Brochures and client work that you saw...what style was it, etc...etc.

Client confidentiality, dealing with clients, being professional and what this means.
Client expectations and examples of pressure and working to tight deadlines
Repercussions of not meeting deadlines...what was said and in what context
Copyright issues and examples of infringement / breaches
Intellectual property rights, ownership , plaigarism, etc etc..
Health and Safety at work and public liability.

Roomsets
Client typical brief
Layouts and design methods
Mood boards
Construction by stages, chippy, builders, etc...
Wallpaper and painting / prep area...
Props and prop stores and their useage
Working with stylists benefits and costs, search fees..etc..(what company do they use)
Lighting Arri type, why this type...etc
etc...etc...etc....

Plus upload all your images and videos to your blogs please.

Studio Visit - Part 1-23rd November - Part 2- 26th November

                                                     www.adrianheapyphoto.co.uk


The visit to this studio will happen in 2 parts, the date / times will be from 9am until 4.30pm Wednesday 23rd November, and 9.00am until 1.30pm on Saturday 26th November.
The post code is DE56 1UP also use this link for visit information;

http://www.adrianheapyphoto.co.uk/contact.html

As this is a professional studio the expectation is that you arrive no later than 9- 9.30 am so we can start on time, arriving on time is vital please.

The expectation is that you arrange all the travel yourself by 'car sharing' or by train (the railway station in  Belper is very close to the studio). A nearby landmark is the Lion Hotel and you can park in the pay and display car park nearby. Look at the directions map on the website please for further information.

Take time to look around the website to get familiar with what they do and specialise in, so that you are aware also of the types of clients that they have and in what genres of photography.

The day will consist of seeing how a professional studio works and what workflow they use to resolve a variety of client work from concept to output. You will need to bring your cameras just in case we need them along with any laptops and ipads as wifi is available. Lunch can be bought nearby in the high street or bring your own.

The studio is a 'live' working environment and as such we will have to respect any last minute changes to what they are able to provide and show to us. The main subject will be the concept and construction of a room set, and will include whatever stage it is at when we arrive, it should be in its early stages and will allow you to see how the studio prepares and constructs this from its resources.
Also we should be able have a short intro to the studio from the Director Adrian Heapy supported by access to previous client work, brochures and images.

On Saturday you can come back for the return visit to see how it has come together as a final styled roomset along with preferred lighting style. You may get chance to experiment with how you would light this will the studio lighting. This is subject to approval.

Please respect the fact that this is one of the studios where I have worked in the past and I am a close associate of, and you are representing the college and not just yourselves.

Online Exhibition

Before xmas I need to have all the images you have produced for me on this course so far, and they will be on a webpage which will showcase all of your work. The internet will act as a permanent gallery space for your very best images that you have taken working with your clients and prospective creative photography.

Any ideas on the design and layout of your work will be greatly received, current websites that you may have can also play a part in how you show your work.

Students are expected to provide a least 4 final images at A3 300 dpi and given to me 1 week before the end of this term.

Week 8 - Return of the Prodigal Son

After a juggling of timetable I am now back on this course on a weds afternoon. The course I was running before will continue with the same units and outcomes.
You will need to revisit the work that you did before half term and pick up where you left off. It is vital as a photographer that you are able to keep momentum with your work, and with this in mind you need to get back up to speed with your links with clients.

From time to time I will act as a client and give you a brief to resolve which will be either specific to your theme, or broader for the whole group to resolve. I like to give warning for these but they may happen out of the blue.

I will be expecting a broad range of research of your client and thematic approach to your work which explores and examines the specific genres of your photography. In line with the lack of previous research the assignment paper has been altered to rectify this.
Also whatever kit and equipment you come into contact with you will need to evidence clearly in your blog website.

Also I would expect that in response to research and equipment that you initiate experimental test shots of your own in preparation and readiness for working in the area that you are aiming to find clients in,
ie, If you have prospective clients or would like to target, you are taking photographs at all times in preparation for working with them. These images can then be sent to these clients as loss leaders backed up with current, relevant images that you have taken.

If its fashion you are setting up fashion shoots to build your portfolio in this area, this needs to be ongoing and evaluated against original research to benchmark how well you are doing. These shoots have to be self initiated and to do this you must be as per all professional photographers, continually producing images as part of your continued professional development. Do not wait to be asked in order to produce these, you need to be very proactive (an attribute you need to develop to succeed in any area of photography).

Can you also look at what we did on week 5 and make sure that this is also underway and investigated fully and evidenced fully on your blogs. In this way we can cellotape over the small gap we have had between our classes. The Hasselblad professional investigation needs to be done to understand the context of its use throughout the decades this provides the ideal opportunity to meet the outcomes of the units you must cover.

Last thing can you all make sure that you are following this tutor support website. Also can you check that you are all following and able to comment on each others work throughout the duration of this course as this is vital and improves your network skills (and choosing of correct vocabulary to talk about each others work). This communication acts as a rolling critique of all your work as it is produced and evidenced allowing time to react, change and adapt work in response to it.

Week 5

Following on from last week in the studio, I have the images on the studio computer that I can give to people, can you all document fully what we did alongside your images please. Extended research from these sessions should be happening, such as an exploration of the brand Hasselblad and a historical investigation into the past uses and by whom should reveal a lot of landmark images from a rich variety of different areas of photography.
Populate your work with a liberal sprinkling of images and research to support your investigation of this iconic brand. Also a technical investigation into the kit equipment and techniques that have been used over the decades should reveal some interesting discoveries.

NB,
(If you read the unit descriptors on this site you will see this will go towards meeting creativity and social context).

Also by the way are you all following this tutor support site, by the end of this session can you make sure that you are all following this site along with everyone's else within the group please.

The whole linked system will allow you to comment and critique work that other people are producing in this way we have a permanent rolling critique of work and not leaving it until the end of a course when there is no time left to improve your work.

Can you all start to do this please as it will inform and drive you to develop quicker as an informed photographer who is also able to react, adapt and change their work in response to constructive criticism and feedback.

New to help your research


Again research in general is very poor in most cases, (not all), when you do research on this section of this course I am expecting you to search for photographers who work in and around the area you are working in with your clients. For example if you in the area of food or portraits you need to produce a minimum of 6 different photographers and analyse how they work with a minimum of 6 supporting images. These images will then need to be discussed and deconstructed using visual vocabulary to identify the value you can add to your own work.

Your research of the work of other photographers is a vital part of this process. It is the 'value' that you identify from this that you are able to add to your own work and photography. For example you must see what clearly shows in their work from a range of their work. These photographs you grab from the internet and upload to your blog. Then looking at these images you may see any of the following showing through as predominant throughout their work;

Composition, Colour, Shapes, Patterns, Lines, Tonal Range, Frames, Rule of thirds, Texture, Form, Focal Point, Perspective, Scale,  Denotation, Connotation, (literal and implied meanings)

Once you have used these words to help identify what value you can add to your own work. For example if one photographer uses colour, or patterns , or perspective in their work you could try adding this value into your own work.

For example the work of Rut Blees Luxemburg and her night time photography;

This image shows the use of colour, shape, lines, patterns, and also the deeper meanings of the aspirational artwork images of an ideal home within that community.

Whereas this image is more about composition and frames within frames, colour, scale, perspective, but also is a social comment on how people live stacked one upon the other.

Week by Week guide

A new week by week guide will be employed to inform and direct students as to what is happening each week as a stand alone section on this website.(see tabs at top of this website).

By using this you will be able to see all up and coming sessions. Sometimes they will change and adapt in response to how much we get to cover each week. But as a general rule they will support the assignment paper and the units you are required to cover.

They are set up so they can be 'Learner Responsive' and able to react to changes in demands from you the students.

Research what Research??

As an overview of all the work being produced their seems to be a lack of research of other photographers work, in the context of the areas you have chosen / or found clients in.

Can this be addressed please across the board as very little is being done. These research images should never stop appearing throughout this course. Only in this way can you successfully measure and gauge the level of work you are producing. This applies equally to both first and second years.

Please read the units carefully and what is required.

work production

Can you all ensure that you continue to produce, plan and prepare for you photography with written blogs outlining all of your research along with analysis of  photographers work in your chosen areas. I will expect to see uploaded sketches, drawings, ideas, themes, images and concepts starting to appear on your blogs.
For those of you aiming for the fashion photographer of the year competition you need to move very quickly with the deadline being the 14th October.

Also any prospective clients are well documented within a blog dedicated to what they produce and examples of the standard of work that they currently find acceptable.
Alongside this I need to see the images / test images that you are producing at a level you feel will beat this work.

Can you all populate your websites with this information for next week. The people that were not at the last session I will expect to see you websites caught up by next week as some hold very little work, from day one this is not acceptable.

Origination

Can I just let everyone know that all client leads have to be originated by you and cannot under any circumstances be ones that have been given to you from another source / tutor or project.

All clients have to be sourced and approached by yourselves in order to for you to appreciate the value of the whole project once it is completed. Also in this way you will be able to gauge the success or failure of your own advertising and marketing.

The origination of these leads and the capability to do so will single you out amongst other photographers, as I always say "no point having a nail without a hammer "

Attendance

Just so we all have a transparent understanding it is also expected that you 'attend all' of my sessions as this is a vital part of your professional approach to working with clients and industry.
This session is not a casual option it is mandatory, anyone who does not attend on a regular basis will be challenged.

Can you all make sure that you are following my tutor site as well as each other, so that everyone is connected and can comment on each others work, etc... as and when you are producing your photography. This is very important as you will extend you knowledge and creative networks faster if you give and receive feedback that can inform and direct your work.

Expected for next week

Will everyone adhere to what we discussed during the first session and populate their blog with previous work they have done for other people, such as photographed friends, relatives, portraits, models, products, weddings or broader projects for clients, etc..etc... I need to see what you have done that you are proud of.
Also I need to see any work that you have got planned or areas / clients you could begin to target.

Also for your chosen areas I will need to see expanded information on clients, advertising agencies, pr companies and information on local, national and international photographers who work in your chosen areas. All this needs to be appearing on your blogs for next week. It is expected that you all produce work both in class time with me and away from college.

Feedback and comments will need to be happening all the time between all students, even if you don't normally sit or speak with them, nobody should be working in isolation, as this constructive criticism and input will be valuable in your development as a photographer. Also you will all be getting feedback from me, as and when I can give it. 

Here we go....hang onto your hat....

This first session is all about setting a firm foundation in more ways than one. You will be looking at how best to set up to work online, to do this you will need to set up a blogger website. By setting this up you will be able to connect to this tutor support website. This not only allows connectivity to each other but also to a transparency as to what is happening across the whole course. Following each other allows you to see each others work at any time to suit you. By the same token I can see all of your work and offer support and guidance at any time.

Comments and feedback are expected to be happening between everyone on this network all the time. Also you will be getting feedback and comments from me as regards your images, research and development as a photographer. Only by working in this way can you progress and achieve higher.

You are expected at this level to be producing work very independently and proactively and taking complete ownership of all of your work and the meeting of the learning outcomes involved in this course.

This part of the course will be all about contact with the photography industry and its clients. You are expected to be contacting prospective clients and providing photography for them. This can be someone you know, or a friend, neighbour , relative, who works in whatever line of work and produce photography for them.

Initially this can be done via what is commonly known as a 'Loss Leader' this is a method by which you do a totally free job in order to build contacts and confidence in each other without the added pressure of the costs being involved. However you will still have to meet deadlines in a very professional manner if you expect to work for these clients.This is a key way in which to get your photography in front of clients and should not be underestimated in any way.

I will taking the part of a buffer between you and your client, you will have to get the work that you produce past me first before it is returned to your client. This is to ensure a high quality of image is produced at all times. Don't be surprised if I tell that the work isn't good enough and I will be asking for work to be reshot if its not of the required standard (in a constructive manner that will help you to improve).

Remember you must find these clients they will not be provided for you, if you find you haven't got any then you must work harder . Each client you try to work with and contact must be listed on your blog, alongside the date, time and response from the client, positive or otherwise.

All blog entries that are produced will require to be 'labelled' accurately so you know what and why you are writing them. This takes the form of the outcome number appearing at the bottom of each blog. The labels will automatically stack on your blog once the labels gadget has been added. In this way you can focus on exactly what is required, or what is covered sufficiently and appropriate your time management as you see fit.

Opposite the labels you will see a location add feature which allows you to exactly post code reference where you are working, I shall expect to see this when to show me where you have been shooting.

Read all of this site today, set up your blog websites, I will support this so you have a nice new blog to start this part of the course. Start to write about how you could approach this assignment over the next few weeks and beyond. List the people you know, what do they do for a living and search that on the net and evidence this all on your blogs, etc.. Look at the companies you could approach or indeed have already approached and list these as well.
Also I need to look at the type of work you have done connected with industry if indeed any, so I can get a feel for the type of work you produce, or have produced in the past.

Context

A small part of the Foundation Degree program will be part delivered on a weds evening from 5pm until 8pm. This tutor website is to support all those students who are studying at these times.

Take time to read the module descriptors that are on this site and to understand exactly what is expected of you throughout this two year program.