Let's bring assessment to life.
How do we use imagery and photography?
This guide focuses on the use of people in AQA imagery but doesn't limit you to learners and teachers.
- Above all, imagine yourself a fly on the wall and grab those authentic moments where you see a spark.
- For UK collateral, use images of learners in school uniform.
- When searching for images, first try using the emotions you want to the audience to feel as a result of what you're illustrating. Eg if you're running a webinar, search 'enlighten' or 'confidence' or other similar terms. If it's a subject specification, try 'inspired', 'nurture', 'enthuse' or even 'delight' and then try adding 'student'/'teacher'/'school' etc.
- We recommend a candid style of photography, where people are either engaged in activity or with another person and at eye level. For example, a learner chewing their pen and other informal moments offer a more realistic and authentic view of life in the classroom.
- To convey warmth, support and positivity, we recommend images with warm sunlight in the background.
- As we're recommending an emotion-based style, we suggest a mix of absorbed and engrossed learners. This will help cover themes integral to AQA, such as joy in learning and expanding knowledge.
- Composition should be uncluttered, with a good amount of people-free space – even when more people are featured.
- To reflect AQA's inclusive approach, we recommend featuring diverse learners and teachers, as well as learners using different learning aids. To avoid appearing tokenistic, including people from underrepresented groups needs to feel like they're a natural part of the setting. For example, a learner's wheelchair should feel part of the classroom furniture, rather than the focus of the image.
How do we get most out of commissioned photography?
Directing subjects
Make use of the teachers accompanying the actors to direct the subjects, so the photographer can concentrate on crucial moments. The teachers need to provoke the spontaneous moments we're looking for and will have to:
Make use of the teachers accompanying the actors to direct the subjects, so the photographer can concentrate on crucial moments. The teachers need to provoke the spontaneous moments we're looking for and will have to:
- Provoke laughter - be prepared to tell jokes
- Encourage different expressions - ask them to imagine reacting to a situation
- Ask subjects to interact with each other
- Encourage subjects to relax
- Encourage subjects to interact with props
Diversity
Do take and use photos of learners and teachers from underrepresented groups individually, as well as in groups.
Do take and use photos of learners and teachers from underrepresented groups individually, as well as in groups.
UK adapted
Make sure you get shots with learners in school uniform to reflect the UK
Make sure you get shots with learners in school uniform to reflect the UK
Include different props
- Stationery (pencils/pens/sharpeners etc)
- Learning aids to include those with disabilities (whether hidden or obvious disabilities)
- School bags/laptops/PCs/phones
Locations
Use a variety of locations, and create scenes appropriate for that setting such as:
Use a variety of locations, and create scenes appropriate for that setting such as:
- School canteen
- Classroom
- In the corridor
- By lockers
- In an examination hall
- At the school gates
- Coming in to and leaving the school entrance
- In the playground
- Library
What poses and interactions work best?
Two learners chatting to each other
- Engrossed in conversation with books in their hands
- One person showing something to the other (either in book or on computer)
Sitting down in class
- Learners sitting in a row, with focus on one learner absorbed in an activity and blur others.
- Learners in class listening to teacher with focus on one learner and others blurred.
- Learner listening to and interacting with teacher who is just off camera.
- Learner listening to and interacting with teacher (both in shot).
Examples:
How do we use imagery without people?
There will be times when you'll want to use images of school buildings, grounds or spaces, or of school related objects such as stationery, books and other items.
- Even though people aren't the principal focus here, do make sure there are some people visible in the photos. This is essential for aerial shots and helps avoid an 'abandoned' feeling.
- We recommend the images look very natural, like a snapshot of school life. If it's not possible to have any people at all, ensure we see some signs of life such as, school bags, books and pens.
- For close-up shots of objects, feature a hand holding an object to avoid looking like the space has been evacuated.
- Make sure images remain uncluttered.
- To convey warmth, support and positivity, we recommend images with warm sunlight in the background.
How do we compose headshots?
Internal headshots need to project warmth, confidence and support.
- We recommend images from the waist up with the subject looking directly at the camera.
- Ideally take the photograph in an educational setting with an interesting backdrop, rather than a plain one.
- Ensure the subject is in focus whilst the background is blurred to provide depth.
- To get a natural as possible shot, ask the subject to imagine they're greeting someone warmly and want to put the person they're meeting at ease.
- To convey warmth, support and positivity, we recommend images with warm sunlight in the background.
