Self Evaluation

Self Evaluation

Professional Frameworks

Laura Jane Parkinson

This brief has been a journey of self-progression and the meeting of targets, which has been both successful and unsuccessful. My fashion work has developed significantly since the beginning of the academic year, but my video production work has taken a backseat through lack of interest and opportunities. I have heavily focussed my photographic work upon fashion and portraiture, whilst I took an interest in analogue film photography in the town of Blackpool. I have also focussed heavily upon my future teaching education and career at Edge Hill University, making sure I am up to date with syllabus changes and amendments, as well as obtaining necessary volunteer and shadowing work in the FE sector.

My most successful fashion and portraiture work began to develop at the end of the module, when I brought my developed lighting skills and creative ideas together. My confidence has developed significantly over the course of the academic year, allowing me to be more confident and professional when asking high end agencies for access to models to test with, and networking with local models, make up artists and stylists. I stuck to my target of one fashion or portraiture photo shoot a week towards to end of my module, but the Christmas period proved more difficult to maintain this target, because of growing pressures from my part time job, as well as looming deadlines. Although the module has drawn to a close, I still plan to continue this target of one photo shoot a week until the end of the summer months, to make sure I stay motivated and creative after I leave University.

I did have some unsuccessful shoots that proved to be learning curves in regards to lighting, and myself not being prepared. The shoot with the students from MMU was one of these, where the lighting setup was not compatible with my camera. I failed to check this prior to the shoot, so captured some terribly lit imagery that took a lot of post-production to look presentable. Since then, I have been in talks with the group to reshoot at the University studios, where I feel comfortable with my lighting and studio setup. In a commission environment, this could have damaged my reputation and name, so I need to be careful in the future to make sure I am prepared for every single shoot; paid or unpaid.

My passion for teaching has only developed over the academic year, as I was accepted onto a highly sought after PGCE programme at Edge Hill University in Ormskirk. I have attended workshops at the University to prepare me for the studies ahead, and have also obtained a volunteer placement teaching art and design to various ages in my local area, to help me gain the skills I need before venturing into the classroom. My last workshop concentrated on creating my teaching CV to send to placements, and also highlighted room for improvement that was noted in my interview. I know now that I have to develop my knowledge on the FE sector of teaching, as well as learn more about legislation and law around teaching.

I have been keeping on top of my work for other modules, and my time keeping has become a lot better since last academic year. There is still room for improvement, but I will have to continue with my first task on my PDP to make sure that my standard and quality of photographic work does not slip for my final major project. I need a classification of a 2:2 on my degree to continue ahead with my PGCE studies, but always remember that the hard work and dedication I am putting into each module will be worth it in the end.

My business card design has improved significantly since last year, where my cards had a logo on one side, and text on the other. They were not visually pleasing and interesting, and I received some comments asking if they could see my work, as it was not on the business card. I made me feel unprofessional, and I am very happy that this mistake has been rectified. My portfolio looks professional and neat, and I plan to print more images off in the future.

Overall, this module has been a success, and I have managed to create a strong portfolio of work that I can show to potential clients, and even the students at my placement next academic year, that looks professional and established. My PDP does not stop with this module, as it has proved to be a useful tool. I plan to renew it every six months, even outside of University, to make sure I am constantly improving and growing as both a photographer and a teacher.