Photography Projects, Coursework and Portfolio

What this unit covers

This unit is a collection of project plans made by GoConqr users. Most are mind maps that show how a photography idea moves from first thoughts to a finished set of images. You will find themes, locations, equipment lists, techniques and research all laid out in branches.

Where to start

Begin with Weather Photography Ideas. It breaks a theme into sunny, cloudy, rainy, windy, stormy and snowy conditions, then adds development ideas such as lightning, water drops in puddles and throwing water at a window. It shows how one theme can grow into many shots.

Next, look at Final Major Project Ideas. It explores portraits that hide the subject's face, fashion photography, playing with gender roles, and lighting and colour.

Planning a location-based project

• Coastal Landscapes lists places such as Arbroath, Crail, Auchmithie, Stonehaven and Anstruther, plus kit like a tripod, warm clothes and memory cards.
• Final Project names castles and other locations, along with influential photographers and equipment.
• Visual Elements in Nature covers possible locations, lighting, research and a camera kit checklist.

Technique and style

Abstract Still Life looks at technical considerations, including storage and file formats. Food Still Life in Colour covers compositional and visual techniques, contrast, lighting and camera angle. Another map explores black and white urban scenes with the ambiguity of people's journeys. Others cover zines, juxtaposition, storytelling and magazine covers.

Using maps and the quiz together

Read a map, then write your own plan in the same branch pattern: theme, locations, equipment, lighting, research. The note headed September 7th asks you to explain why you like photography and what you want to improve, which is a handy first reflection. The quiz, Headshot crew eye training, then gives you a quick check on what you have noticed.

This unit sits in the Photographic Genres and Projects strand of Photography and film. Pick a map that matches your theme and see how far its ideas take you.