OCA Assessment Criteria
Knowledge
Knowledge can be defined as: The extent to which knowledge of relevant concepts, practices, theories, and contexts are demonstrated.
Assessment Criteria that applies to Knowledge:
Practical knowledge: Demonstrate the use of technologies, methods, practices and processes related to the subject. As I would visit the location regularly, finding a place close to where I live made sense. The road entering the community of One Arm Point lies at the bottom of the street where I reside. For quick access, if any events were to occur, for example, storms, rain etc. My camera was always ready will three batteries at total capacity to pick up on any occasion. In addition to my camera, I utilised an app 'Willie Weather' to assist in predicting and forecasting weather changes. The app proved very useful as a bushfire occurred close to my home. I recorded this event in the Ngalandany section of this assignment. A timescale of over 12 months provided many images (see fig 2 below). Having taken so many ideas, I used Photo Mechanic and systematically edited the photos to the 12 selected.
Contextual knowledge: Identify, define, and describe contemporary and historical practices, theories, and debates. According to Berger's book, Understanding a Photograph by John Berger, he quotes, “Photography situates landscape in a physical context, as well as in relation to us. “When we ‘see’ a landscape, we situate ourselves in it”. Berger, J., pp.572-573. I agree with Berger's interpretation of the landscape where we place ourselves in it. A modern comparison would be Google's street view, picking up the little orange character by the hand and dropping him onto the map, transporting us to the destination.
Reminding me of Richard Salkeld's questioning of realism and reality by stating, "A further complication in the use of the term 'realism' is to emphasise, not just the persuasiveness of the reality of the scene represented, but the reality of the medium itself." Salkeld, R., pp.77.
Comparing both ideals reinforces my belief that this assignment should concentrate on accurately representing the scenes and not sway to the pictorial imagery discussed in exercise 3.1, reflecting on the picturesque.
Subject knowledge: Identify, define, and describe appropriate principles, concepts and subject knowledge. Having minimum experience in landscapes before starting this course, I considered several photographers from different backgrounds as a good foundation for this assignment. I looked at the following practitioners as a good variety of styles and locations to assist my research.
Thomas Heaton - From the North East of England, Heaton has covered the United Kingdom extensively and worldwide. I'm familiar with classic landscape photographers such as Ansel Adams. These photographers aside, Heaton was one of my first introductions to landscape photography. Although his imagery spans the world, his simplistic style of the United Kingdom influenced my style for this assignment.
Fay Godwin - Born in 1931 Born Berlin, Germany, her father was a British diplomat, mother an American artist. Godwin did not have any formal photography training. I have no formal training in Photography, and everything I have learned from listening and books. Godwin is very similar, with no academic assistance. Reflecting on my style, I can see similarities to hers.
Jem Southam - Born in Bristol in 1950 and studied at the London College of Printing from 1969 to 1972. He is now a Professor of Photography at the University of Plymouth. I have chosen Southam's direction of less is more in my approach for this assignment. The impact images used in his techniques are compelling.
Andy Lee - Specialising in shooting 5x4. This Welsh photographer also experiments with large format, digital and infrared images. His experimentation is in direct contrast to the previous artists. Using different approaches has made me consider the best way to record my landscapes.
Hongkiat website is an online blog specifically for images of roads. What surprised me most was the number of manipulated photos posted up. The pictures looked beautiful but unrealistic, prompting me to concentrate on producing the most natural records of the area.
Subject boundaries: Acknowledge emerging practices and wider contexts, that shape subject knowledge and boundaries.
Reflecting on the photographers, I researched made me realise the diversity in landscape photography. I considered that landscape photography was a theme that was essentially the same. However, studying for this assignment has opened up my thoughts to a broader viewpoint.
Understanding
Understanding can be defined as: The level of understanding demonstrated through the testing and application of knowledge.
When first considering this assignment, I learned that Indigenous Peoples have six seasons, unlike western (British) culture having four, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. I felt this would be an exciting concept to submit for this assignment due to the cultural aspect but also as an informative piece. Handed down over thousands of years provides a wealth of knowledge about the land and its inhabitants.
Assessment Criteria that applies to Understanding:
Research: Select, question, test, interpret and synthesize relevant knowledge to inform intentions, ideas, and outcomes. Researching for more information about the area was challenging as it is sacred ground. I thought there would be an abundance of information about the place. Understandably, the community are reluctant to speak about the area, so I had to talk to the Elders respectfully.
Critical thinking: Apply critical thinking to develop an informed personal position. For this assignment, I have to produce a series of images showing transitions in a place or area of our choosing. After several months of communication between myself, the community and Elders. I formed a mutual relationship and was permitted to photograph the area with specific guidelines. I had to be mindful of my location and conduct myself with the highest consideration. The ability to visit the site at a time of my choosing allowed me to have the opportunity to capture moments that wouldn't be possible otherwise. For example, I recorded the bushfire nearby or the lightning storm later in the year. Without consultation, this is something that would not have been allowed.
Creativity: Apply curiosity, creativity, and intellectual enquiry to initiate, test, and articulate ideas and outcomes in inventive and individual ways. After establishing an agreement, I explained how I wished to approach the creative content by presenting sketches of the road and surroundings. I requested to use time-lapse but was refused but agreed that I could video short clips to use during the seasons. I felt that an audio/video combination would assist the viewer in immersing themselves more effectively. It would aid the viewer in understanding the changes better than a still image would.
Application
Application can be defined as: The degree to which knowledge and understanding are demonstrated through the application of technical, communication, personal, transferable, and graduate skills.
Assessment Criteria that applies to Application:
Personal and transferable skills: Use personal and transferable skills to effectively sustain independent learning and reflect on progress
Graduate skills: Apply transferable and graduate skills in establishing appropriate professional practices and standards. I initially thought there would be abundant information about the area, and obtaining details proved complex. I did discover some literature about the plant life in One Arm Point assisting my identification there. I did benefit from the time spent with the Elders establishing a good working relationship with them in producing my work.
Practical skills: Select, test and use materials, media and techniques to realise and present ideas and solutions. I combined the iPhone and DSLR cameras to produce the visual media for this assignment. Living near the places I photographed was an advantage, and permission from the community also helped. My cinematography skills are limited so this was a good learning experience for me and it's certainly a medium I will experiment with more in the future.
Technical skills: Apply appropriate technical skills and processes to develop and produce outcomes. I carefully orchestrated my timeframes to shoot in the area to coincide with the Bardi seasons and the most appropriate times to visualise the changes during the year. I soon realised that I shot far too many images of the same thing, so I reduced my images per shoot to speed up the process.
Communication skills: Employ communication skills to effectively present ideas, intentions, and outcomes. For this assignment, I combined visual and text-based presentations as I felt only visual-orientated representation wouldn't thoroughly explain how striking the area is and how the transitions took place over time.
It's only a Road
Fig 1
Fig 2
The Six Seasons culturally work as a series which allow for harvesting of food throughout the year at different time but allow for the stocks to replenish themselves. This sustainability has been part of their culture for thousands of years and has been proven model used in conventional farming today.
I chose to record the changing seasons on the main road entrance to the community at One Arm Point (Fig 1). I felt this was an exciting location that would reflect the community's culture and act as a metaphor for the transition between my culture and theirs. It also provided places along the road which would help me illustrate the changes throughout the year. Now that I had decided on my location, I took several images throughout the year as shown in the short video clip (Fig 2).
Mankai
Mankal - Dec Jan
Strong winds, heavy rainfalls and storms off the ocean characterise Mankal as the wet season. The beginning of the rain usually signifies the end of turtle hunting season as they leave the area. However, the last of the turtle eggs are still collected. Due to the rainfall, there is little fruit, with only some roots dug out from the red pindan soil.
Ngalandany
Ngalandany - Feb March
The least favourable time of the year is commonly known as 'rubbish time' as no fruit is available, no wind, temperatures and humidity are high. There was minimal movement between the community during this period.
Iraboo
Iralboo - April May
At the time of enormous and low tides, the area has one of the fastest tidal shifts globally, perfect for reefing. The start of Iralbroo is usually still windless, but as April progresses, the South-Easterly breezes build up, bringing swarms of mosquitoes. Families living near the beaches move more inland, avoiding the insects as much as possible. With food sources plentiful, local wildlife, for example, Goannas (lizards), caterpillars, grasshoppers and kangaroos, are known as fat (well-fed). Iralboo is the start of the Dugong season.
Barrgana
Barrgana - May June July
Strong South-Eastly winds appear during this time "cold season'. Resources are plentiful at this time. As a result, fish are fat, and fishers take boats out during the day and at night. The months of May to July are Dugong season, and inland fruits are flourishing. In the bush, lizards, honey, snakes and wallaby are some of the resources obtained.
Jalalay
Jalalay - Aug Sept Nov
Dugong season comes to a close as the West winds warm up the area. The spring tides are shallow, allowing locals to go reefing (exploring the reefs for food, shells and seaweed) and catch stingrays which are now fat.
Lalin
Lalay - Nov Dec
West winds begin to come in from the coast, signifying the wet season is approaching. People move back to living near the coastline as Turtle mating season "married turtle time' occurs, and turtle hunting season starts again. A hot and humid time of the year also brings tropical storms and strong winds.
Fig 1 Depicts the road I chose to observe over the course of several months. I've tried to produce images that reflect the changes in the six Bardi seasons in a year but feel that the images need the text to fully explain my choices of photographs.
Fig 2 This movie shows some of the images I took during this period. My tutor advised he'd like to see my contact sheets to see how i was working. I will include these but wanted to show just how many images I had to look through to choose my final 12. It seemed that the more images would give me better selections, however, in hindsight I think this gave me more issues as there were too many, making my final photographs difficult to decide which ones were the most appropriate.
I revisited a lecture for OCA by the artist Elena Brotherus who quotes "It's better to work than sit and home and think". This was the approach I took when photographing the road.
After reviewing my images for this assignment, I'm undecided if I have chosen the best route taking individual photographs of the area. After taking over 9000 images I may have too many to make an informed decision which work best for the assignment.
I have as a backup as suggested images from a predetermined point but need to discuss this with my tutor. He's currently on vacation so in the meantime I will prepare an alternative selection of images in case we decided that the second option is more appropriate for this assignment.
As there isn't a great deal of resources I could collect about the community, I decided the best course of action would to interview local members with experience about the six seasons.
Assignment Interviews
Name: Daniel Oades Former Bardi Rangers Manager now working with Kimberly Land Council. (Declined to be photographed).
Location: Broome Dampier Peninsula
I – Hi Daniel, it’s great to catch up with you in Broome and hope your new position is going well?
D – Yes Ian it’s going very well and nice to see you too. How can I help you?
I – For the benefit of the readers, could you tell me a little about yourself?
D – I’m Daniel Oades and previously managed the Bardi Jawi Rangers at One Arm Point in Ardyaloon. My responsibilities included managing administration staff and Bardi Rangers , monitor threatened species, patrol the land protecting it by controlled burning and record erosion from visitors and tourists. We also take scientific samples of the surrounding vegetation, monitoring the Dugong and turtle population. You know Ian that’s the basics as we do so much more than that.
I - I know only too well how much work the Rangers and everyone involved there does and how important the job is too. Everyone from the outside sees the beautiful boat but doesn’t realise the 12 hour days you have to do keep the ship running.
D – Well said, I’ve trained you well. (Laughs).
I – As you know from your time in One Arm Point, I’ve been working on my assignments as part of my ‘Landscape’ course with the Open College of the Arts. Could you tell me about your job at the Rangers and what the difference between our four seasons and your six season years.
D – No worries. Traditionally our Indigenous culture has the year split into six seasons instead of your four. You said you’re seeing Bibido later today, so I’ll leave him to give you all the Bardi names for each season as I have a meeting to go to. The seasons are different depending in what area and clan you come from. If you haven’t already read it, there’s a great book called ‘Our World’ at the school which you might find useful.
I – Thanks Daniel, I am already aware of that as the family down in Perth work at Notre Dame University. I found out about the six seasons when they asked me to take photographs of the resident artist there (Auntie Netta). You asked me earlier where I wanted to photograph? It’s the entrance to community where Annie and my house sits around the corner.
D – That wounds like a good spot you’ve chosen for what it was you said you must do. One thing first to know is check in with Wossie (Head Elder for the community) for permission to do any photography there as either side of the road is sacred ground. Secondly don’t walk on the area too for that reason and lastly look out for snakes as there are a lot in the area and they like a snooze when it’s hot next to the road.
I – Ha ha, yest I am familiar with the snakes there when I walk the dog as I’ve come across a rather large King Brown recently. Just as well I’ve don’t my snake handling course.
D – When do you plan to take the photographs?
I – As it’s an ongoing project I don’t have a specific time or date. For example, if it starts to rain, or there’s a storm, I will run out to photograph or video to show the viewer what it is like and get a widest range of images. I’m hoping later these will be able to be shown to others who will never get the chance to see something like this.
D - Sounds interesting, let me know when you have finished the assignment, I’d like to have a look what you’ve discovered.
I – My pleasure, it’s an honour to get the opportunity to do this even if it wasn’t for my degree. I’ll let you head off to your meeting Daniel and thank you so much for your help.
D – You too, I’ll pop in and say hi next time I’m back up in One Arm Point. Take Care.
I – You too.
Bibldo (Phillip McCarthy)
Assignment Interviews
Name: Bibido (Phillip McCarthy) Manager Bardi Rangers Office
Location: - Bardi Rangers Office One Arm Point
I – Good morning Bibido.
B – Good morning to you too.
I – I spoke with Daniel (previous manager for Bardi Rangers) who explained a little about the work you do up here in One Arm Point so first of all can you give me some background as to your role within the Bardi Jawi Rangers.
B – Sure, I took over from Daniel around 12 months ago when he moved to Broome with the family to take up his position with the Kimberly Land Council. I’d been deputy manager for several years and it seemed like a good idea to see how I would go with the manager’s position here considering how long it’s been.
I – Thank you, I asked Daniel about what the role entails here so I’d like to ask you a bit more about the environment we live in at Ardyaloon.
B – We live in a sub-tropical climate in the Dampier Peninsula of Western Australia. Temperatures during the year average around 18 degrees centigrade to 33 however the past few years have shown a spike in the temperature and have gone as much as 42 degree’s.
Summer here hot and sometimes cloudy with long days and the Winter is short and dry. It’s windy throughout the year but increases during the wintertime.
I – Can you tell me some more about the Bardi Six Seasons?
B - There are six. mankai, nagladany, iralboo, barrgan, jalalay and lalin. I can go into further detail for you but if you read the schools book ‘Our World’ it explains the names and climate very well. Are you going to document the seasons?
I – Yes, as part of my degree, I plan to write and photograph each season and hope to present it on an online blog for my learning log and assignments.
B – Now I understand when I see you all over the place with your camera.
I – Thank you, I have had a peek at the book before I saw you so I will read it through. I have one last question for you? Why did you join the Bardi Jawi Rangers.
B – Well, as I’m a big boy. (Bibido is a huge person, a gentle giant, but looks intimidating if you didn’t know him). I could have gotten into some trouble when I was younger. Instead, I was steered by my father to try something to keep me out of trouble and I ended up here.
I – Thank you Bibido for the introduction to the six seasons and also for an insight to your life.
B – See you soon.
Retrospective
Researching for this assignment I came across some images I took in 2011. I was living in Glasgow and across from my apartment they started to build new flats. I used a compact camera to record the progress at the time. (see video below). I feel that this was a precursor for this assignment, even though I didn't know it at the time.
Reflection:
Producing my final assignment, I was surprised at how much more work and writing at this level required. During this time, I've moved countries, had Covid and changed cities in Australia for work.
Aside from this, it has been a fantastic experience to be in contact with, live, and work in a remote Indigenous community. I have seen and learned new skills met Elders of the community, and had the opportunity to hear stories about their histories, the land and sea where we live and what the future holds for the community.
The six seasons in this assignment have taught me about sustainability and nature differently.
Describing what I'm
in my head seems more straightforward than writing it on paper. I found writing about the subject incredibly demanding, so this is an area that I have to work more on in the future.
This unit has been very effective and has highlighted my strengths and weaknesses. In the future, I plan to improve my writing skills and my photography techniques.
References:
(9) Thomas Heaton - YouTube [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfhW84xfA6gEc4hDK90rR1Q (accessed 9.20.22).
Berger, J., 2013. Understanding a Photograph: Penguin on Design, 1st edition. ed. Penguin.
Daniel Oades was the previous Bardi Rangers co-ordinator and respected member of the local communnity. Daniel advised me of the local animal and plantlife and helped me with researching the six seasons., n.d.
Davey Russel, n.d. Russel Davey, known locally as Wossie, is the main Elder in the community. Russel deals with an all manner of agendas from the local running of the community to cultural awareness and information. Russel advised me on the cultural aspect of the area and sacred areas.
Discover the amazing Dampier Peninsula in Australia’s North West. [WWW Document], n.d. . Broome Visitor Centre. URL https://www.visitbroome.com.au/see-and-do/dampier-peninsula (accessed 7.28.22).
Elina Brotherus student talk - The Open College of the Arts [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.oca.ac.uk/weareoca/photography/elina-brotherus-student-talk/?cn-reloaded=1 (accessed 9.20.22).
Emeric’s Timelapse (@emerictimelapse) • Instagram photos and videos [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.instagram.com/emerictimelapse/ (accessed 9.20.22).
Fay Godwin Homepage [WWW Document], n.d. URL http://www.faygodwin.com/bio.html (accessed 9.20.22).
George, K., 2021. Kevin George is senior Bardi Ranger and well respected member of the local communnity. Kevin advised me of the local animal and plantlife and helped me with researching the six seasons.
Godwin, F., 1989. Meall Moir, Glencoe (from Our Forbidden Land series).
Hunter, J., n.d. Jacquie Hunter is a teacher at One Arm Point Remote Community School and teaches the students the Bardi Language. Jacquie advised me on the Bardi names for the six seasons.
Hunter Vivienne, n.d. Vivian Hunter works at the Bardi Rangers office as advisor for horticultural manners. She is a respected member of the local communnity. Vivienne advised me of the local plantlife and helped me with researching the six seasons.
Irene, A., n.d. Auntie Irene is a respected Elder in the community and advised me of some of the local stories (yarns) surrounding the road that I photographed.
Jem Southam | Artists | Collection | British Council − Visual Arts [WWW Document], n.d. URL http://visualarts.britishcouncil.org/collection/artists/southam-jem-1950 (accessed 9.20.22).
Jem Southam [WWW Document], n.d. . Huxley-Parlour Gallery. URL https://huxleyparlour.com/artists/jem-southam/ (accessed 9.20.22).
LINKS - Emeric’s Timelapse, 2022. URL https://emerictimelapse.com/links (accessed 9.20.22).
New Zealand Time Lapse Photography Adventure | Behind The Scenes, 2019.
One Arm Point - Attraction - Tourism Western Australia [WWW Document], n.d. . Western Australia. URL https://www.westernaustralia.com/en/pages/attraction (accessed 7.28.22).
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“Phantom of the Raptor” - F22 Filmed at 1000FPS, 2021.
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"It's better to work more than sit at home and think", 2014.
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Violet, A., n.d. Auntie Violet was a founding member of One Ar point Remote Community School and a respected Elder. She advised me on the cultural aspects of One Arm Point.
Welcome to Cambridge, 2022.
Woodman, C., n.d. Col Woodman is the CEO of the community at One Arm Point. Col advised me of the cultual rules and regulations I had to adhere to when photographing within the community.