Using a Sketchbook
What is a photography sketchbook for?
For Photography lessons, ‘sketchbook’ might be a misleading term. You don’t have to sketch in it (although you can, if you wish – when relevant). It’s also important to know there’s not just one way to do things: Some students might be very ordered in their sketchbooks, others more experimental. The challenge is to find your own way – the one that presents your work and ideas most effectively. |
To keep all my classwork and homework in…?
Not necessarily. If you want to make a photobook, film, animation, sculpture, installation…then brilliant. No need to wait to be asked either, initiate those conversations to get things going. Think beyond ‘classwork’ and ‘homework’; the boundaries should blur as your independence grows. Your book is just one potential tool to document your ideas and experiments. But it is important. It needs to be looked after and will be submitted as coursework.
Not necessarily. If you want to make a photobook, film, animation, sculpture, installation…then brilliant. No need to wait to be asked either, initiate those conversations to get things going. Think beyond ‘classwork’ and ‘homework’; the boundaries should blur as your independence grows. Your book is just one potential tool to document your ideas and experiments. But it is important. It needs to be looked after and will be submitted as coursework.
To experiment within and make mistakes…?
Yes, definitely. However, mistakes – like feedback – should be valued and acted upon. It is not sufficient to say a photo that you took didn’t work. Why didn’t it work? Try to unpick your errors and highlight learning. What were your intentions? How could it be improved? And then, importantly, IMPROVE!! Show progress in a new way, or ask for further help if unsure.
Yes, definitely. However, mistakes – like feedback – should be valued and acted upon. It is not sufficient to say a photo that you took didn’t work. Why didn’t it work? Try to unpick your errors and highlight learning. What were your intentions? How could it be improved? And then, importantly, IMPROVE!! Show progress in a new way, or ask for further help if unsure.
To present my photography in a creative and imaginative way…?
Not necessarily. And certainly not with bells and whistles attached. Your sketchbook can be a straightforward, ordered presentation of your work, research and insights: Let your images do the impressing. Overly designed pages can often take too long and be a distraction to the viewer. Either way, you’ll need to carefully consider the flow of your book: How do the pages – and images upon them – connect and contrast? How might you engage and ‘play’ with the viewer to provoke thinking? How can you lead the viewer’s eye to the strongest work or ideas, yet still include the important developmental stages? There are lots of challenges here, and plenty of creative fun to be had; no glitter required.
Not necessarily. And certainly not with bells and whistles attached. Your sketchbook can be a straightforward, ordered presentation of your work, research and insights: Let your images do the impressing. Overly designed pages can often take too long and be a distraction to the viewer. Either way, you’ll need to carefully consider the flow of your book: How do the pages – and images upon them – connect and contrast? How might you engage and ‘play’ with the viewer to provoke thinking? How can you lead the viewer’s eye to the strongest work or ideas, yet still include the important developmental stages? There are lots of challenges here, and plenty of creative fun to be had; no glitter required.