1. Written Essay
1500 words for the exam

2. Written Essay
Written Essay of 1500 words.
• Compare and contrast two different
photographers work that fit with your concept.
• You must analyse 2 different images from each
photographer in depth.
The more artist research you have the better –
remember the essay is worth 25% of your overall
grade.

3. Structure
Title
• What is the title of your essay? For example…A study comparing and contrasting the work of Martin
Parr and Sophie Calle, looking specifically at how they use still life within documentary
Introduction
– briefly state what exam question you are doing and how the photographer’s work you’re analysing
connects to this. Include a short synopsis of what each photographers body of work is about.
Main content
• Conceptual practice of each photographers body of work. What common themes do they have?
What differences?
• Understanding of the genre – how does the photographers work your analysing fit into the genre?
How do they compare? Are they a particular sub genre? What are the conventions of that
genre/sub-genre.
• Analyse the camera techniques and extract the concept from 2 images from each photographer.
Compare and contrast how they use camera techniques and composition to show their concept.
• How does their work connect to your ideas and work. How and why?
Conclusion
- summarise the findings of your essay. What inspiration and ideas are you going to carry forward
into your own practical work?

4. Written Essay - example titles
Spend 10 minutes in your group thinking of a study question to
help focus your study. Use the following as examples and replace
the words to suit you:
• “A study looking at the insider and outsider’s approach to
documentary photography. I will specifically compare and
contrast the work of Nan Goldin and Diane Arbus.”
• “A study comparing how landscape photography can
represent idealised fantasies and the real world, by looking at
photographers such as Joe Cornish and Simon Norfolk.”
• “How has fashion photography developed from 1950 – 2010?
Focusing on photographers like Richard Avedon and Nick
Knight.”

5. Timothy Archibald compared to
Evi Numen
Comparing and contrasting two
photographers that explore mental
disorders

6. A study comparing and contrasting the work of
Martin Parr and Sophie Calle, looking specifically at
how they use still life within documentary

7. Martin Parr and Sophie Calle
Read the example paper and
highlight key aspects and what
type of analysis it uses? Use
these categories to help:
•
•
•
•
•
Meaning behind the work
Historical and social context
Technical details
Genre
Quotations – from who and
how are these used?

8. Documentary Photography
• “A study looking at the insider and outsider’s
approach to documentary photography. I will
specifically compare and contrast the work of Nan
Goldin and Diane Arbus.”

9. Diane Arbus and Nan Goldin
Read the example paper and
highlight key aspects and what
type of analysis it uses? Use
these categories to help:
•
•
•
•
•
Meaning behind the work
Historical and social context
Technical details
Influences
Quotations – from who and
how are these used?