Work sample
Media Production and Analysis
Stage 2
Work sample: MPA/ST2/R5/09
Grades are allocated at the end of a unit or
semester based on the rank order of
students. Grades should not be allocated
to individual assessments.
Assessment type: Response
Performance associated with Grade A, representing excellent achievement.
Work sample summary
The student was asked to choose a photographer and repond to the effectiveness of codes and conventions in
portraying people, and an issue, through a series of photographs.
The student addressed the following aspects:
• codes and conventions and the construction of meaning
• preferred meanings and alternative readings
• cultural values and ideologies presented and challenged by the texts.
2009/23965 PDF:2009/28936
Media Production and Analysis: Stage 2 Grade A Work sample
1
Work sample
Media Production and Analysis
Stage 2
Grades are allocated at the end of a unit or
semester based on the rank order of
students. Grades should not be allocated
to individual assessments.
Media 2B Response Task:
Dorothea Lange
(All images removed due to copyright restrictions)
Dorothea Lange was employed by the Farm Security Administration, to
document the effects of the Great Depression, mostly on farmers and their
families. Her photographs were evidence of the human hardships that
had occurred due to the stock market crash in the United States of
America.
Concise introductory
statement explaining the
context (purpose and time
period).
QUESTION 1:
Photograph 1:
FSA Rehabilitation Clients
This photograph is showing a young girl leaning over a barbed wire fence,
with a lady in the background, likely to be her mother, looking towards her.
The body language is a key element in this photograph, as it is highly
effective in creating the intended emotional response from the viewer. The
girl's body is slumped over and her hands are gently pushing against the
barbed wire. This represents the girl's lack of hope and her desire for
escape. This is relevant to the context of the photograph, as during this
time period people were struggling to maintain life as there was not
enough money to support the population. The mother's body language is
also important in creating a response from the viewer. The mother in the
background, has one hand on her hip and the other shielding her eyes
from the sunlight, this is symbolic of the mother being tired and worn out
from the events of this time period. As the mother is staring at her
daughter, the viewer also feels a sense of concern from the mother,
about her daughter and her daughter's future. The object in this
photograph, the barbed wire, is symbolic of a barrier that is stopping the
girl from reaching happiness and freedom. This was relevant to the lives
of the majority of society during the Great Depression. The clothing of the
mother and daughter in this photograph are old, worn out, this reflects the
lack of money during the Great Depression, and the sacrifices people
made in order to survive. The lighting in all of Dorothea Lange's
photographs is natural, this creates a sense of realism, but is also a
constraint in the way in which Lange was forced to work.
The framing of this photograph is a long-shot, this was used to include the
mother in the photograph, which helps create the atmosphere as wornout, and also emphasises the child's loneliness. This photograph, like
many of Dorothea Lange's photographs, is on eye-level with the subject.
This creates a sense of equality between the subject and the
photographer, rather than looking up or down at the subject. When a
photographer changes the camera angle to either high or low, they can
distort the message of the photograph. Dorothea Lange rarely did this, as
she factually documented the effects of the Great Depression rather than
representing people in different ways that would effect the response from
the viewer.
2009/23965
Media Production and Analysis: Stage 2 Grade A Work sample
Identifies a wide range of
codes and analyses the
preferred meanings. Makes
further possible
assumptions and
interpretations.
Discusses the way that
codes and conventions
reflect societal values.
Discusses the integrity of
the photographer by
analysing codes used that
created realism.
2
Work sample
Media Production and Analysis
Stage 2
Grades are allocated at the end of a unit or
semester based on the rank order of
students. Grades should not be allocated
to individual assessments.
Photograph 2:
Man beside Wheelbarrow
This photograph shows a man sitting on a pile of bricks with a turned-over
wheelbarrow on the ground next to him. The main object in this
photograph, the wheelbarrow that has been turned over, is symbolic of
the man giving up hope and no longer feeling as though he should bother
to work or care about the situation he is in. The wheelbarrow seems to be
old, worn-out and overused, this represents the way in which the man is
feeling. The man's body language is a key element of this photograph as
he is curled over and looking down towards his feet, and he seems to be in
pain. This symbolises the man giving up hope and being in agony from all
of the work he has done to try and fix the situation he is in, but now he has
given up. The setting of this photograph is important in establishing an
emotional response from the viewer, as there is a lot of dirt and sand, the
environment looks very dry and there is a lack of warmth This is a
representation of the man's life. The man's clothes seem very dark in
contrast with the sand and wall around the man, this is symbolic of the
way the man is feeling, dark and depressed. The contrast in this image
looks as though it has been brought up, this emphasises the darkness of
the man's clothing and the dryness of his surroundings. The lighting in
this photograph is natural, to create realism.
The head line in this photograph has been extended. This makes the
man seem smaller and more overpowered. Again, Dorothea Lange
created equality between the photographer and the subject by using an
eye-level camera angle. This also represents how the man is expressing
the pain that everyone was feeling during the Great Depression.
Explores the anticipated
audience response to the
use of codes and
conventions, and how they
reflect the cultural context.
Identifies and explains
technical processes
undertaken by the
photographer in the
darkroom.
Photograph 3:
Damaged Child
This photograph is of a young girl standing in front of an old canvas. The
canvas in this image is creased and seems to be rugged and old, this is
symbolic of the imperfections of the child and the damage of the girl. It also
represents the harsh lifestyle in which she is living. The girl's body language is
very strong in creating a response from the viewer in this photograph, The
girl's facial expression is unhappy and her eyes are staring straight down the
lens of the camera. This creates a sense of fear in the viewer as the subject
seems to be targeting you. The girl's clothes are dirty, old, torn and stained.
This emphasises the damage caused to the child from the circumstances of
her life. The lighting in this image is natural, as it is again an outdoors
photograph. This helps in creating realism, but also creates a shadow over
the subject's eyes. This is symbolic of the girl seeing too many devastating
things during her life, that has left her damaged and traumatised.
Analyses the way the
photographer has tried to
connect with the audience
by using eye line/gaze.
The camera angle of the photograph is eye-level between the photographer
and subject. This enforces the sense of equality between the subject, the
photographer and the viewer. The framing of this photograph is a close to
mid shot. The closeness of the photograph allows the viewer to see the
girl’s facial expression and the shadow over her eyes. The slight mid-shot
situates the viewer to be able to see the subject’s clothing and the
environment in which she is living in.
2009/23965
Media Production and Analysis: Stage 2 Grade A Work sample
3
Work sample
Media Production and Analysis
Stage 2
Grades are allocated at the end of a unit or
semester based on the rank order of
students. Grades should not be allocated
to individual assessments.
Photograph 4:
Ex-slave with a long memory
This photograph shows an old African-American lady standing in a field,
holding an old stick. The object in this photograph, the old broom or stick,
symbolises the lady's labouring past. This photograph is set in a field
and this represents the lady's history of working as a slave in fields
throughout her life. The lady seems to be very frail, worn out and
damaged from the conditions of her life. Her body language suggests
that she has been mistreated and forced to work harder than her body could
cope with. The lady is wearing an apron, this symbolises that the woman is
still working/labouring hard. The fact that the lady is wearing many layers
of clothing makes her seem as though she doesn't have many items of
clothing so she carries all that she has with her. Her clothes are all dirty
and old, which emphasises how she is worn out and has worked
incredibly hard. The lighting in this image is again natural, as it has
been taken outdoors. This assists the photographer in creating a sense
of realism.
This photograph has a shallow depth of field, this means that the subject
is in focus but the field in the background is out of focus. This symbolises
how throughout her life as a slave, the lady would not have been the
focus of her boss, but the field would be the focus, as her boss would
have been thinking about their farming and money. Now she is receiving
attention and affection from the photographer. This photograph is a midshot, this allows the photograph to be close enough to the subject to be
able to distinguish the facial expression and body language of the
subject, but far away enough from the subject to be able to include the
setting in the photograph. This photograph was taken on eye-level with
the subject, this creates equality between the viewer, photographer and
subject. This is important as it is likely that the subject has rarely been
treated with equality.
Links use of camera angle
to audience response.
Reflects on the cultural
context evident in the
meaning.
Photograph 5:
Woman of the High Plains
This image is of a woman standing in the middle of a field. This
photograph is set outside in a field, which relates to the woman being a
farmer, and also creates a sense of loneliness as the woman is alone in
a large area.`'`] he woman's body language helps in expressing her
emotions. The woman has one hand covering her forehead while her
other hand is resting on her neck. This makes the woman seem to be
stressed and exhausted. The woman's clothing is old, worn out and
overused, this reflects the way in which the woman is being represented.
The lighting in this image is natural, which again represents realism, but
also emphasises the wrinkles and lines on the woman. These lines are
symbolic of her physical and mental scarring from excessive work.
This photograph has a slightly low camera angle. This is likely to have
been used by Dorothea Lange to be able to include the woman's clothing
in the image. This camera angle also allows the viewer to see the cloud
that is above the subject’s head. This cloud symbolises the pain and
burden of responsibility that is on the subject, as she seems to have a big
weight on her shoulders that is pushing her down. The framing used in this
photograph was a mid-shot. This was chosen by Dorothea Lange, so that
the viewer could see the emotions of the subject through facial
2009/23965
Media Production and Analysis: Stage 2 Grade A Work sample
Detailed analysis of the
technical and symbolic
codes used to construct the
intended message.
Comments on framing and
the perspective created for
the viewer.
4
Work sample
Media Production and Analysis
Stage 2
Grades are allocated at the end of a unit or
semester based on the rank order of
students. Grades should not be allocated
to individual assessments.
expression and body language, but also be able to view the setting and
clothing in the image. These are important to include as they assist in
creating the intended message from the photographer.
Photograph 6:
Migratory Cotton Picker
This photograph is a close-up of a man with his hand shielding his mouth.
The main element in this image is the man’s body language. The man's
hand covering his mouth, is symbolic of the shock, devastation and pain
caused from the Great Depression. The man's clothing is worn out,
stained and messy, this is a reflection of the man and the way in which
he is feeling. The lighting in this photograph is harsh natural lighting. This
lighting creates realism, while also emphasising the lines on the man’s
hand and face. These lines are a reflection of the man’s excessive work
and his scars from doing so. The natural lighting also formed a shadow
over the man's eyes. This shadow symbolises the way in which the man
has seen so many damaging things throughout his lifetime, that were the
effects of the Great Depression.
The camera angle in this photograph is slightly low, but mainly on eyelevel between the photographer and the subject. This creates equality
and makes the man seem as though he is a reflection of everyone and
their hardships during the time of the Great Depression. This
photograph was taken as a close-up. This situates the viewer to be
able to see the man's emotion and expression on his face and allows
the lines and wrinkles on his hands and face to be more prominent.
QUESTION 2:
Photograph 1:
FSA Rehabilitation Clients
The people in this photograph are represented as depressed and looking for a
way to escape, but also they seem to have given up hope. This photograph
seems to support family values, as it shows the mother worried for her
daughter, without the mother being included in the photograph this value
would not have been supported. This photograph has been constructed
to represent the mother and daughter as helpless, this was created so
that when the photographs were published, the viewers would be able to
sympathise with the subject. It is a representation of how people were
struggling emotionally and physically during the time of the Great
Depression.
QUESTION 3:
Photograph 1:
FSA Rehabilitation Clients
The mother was selected to be included in this image, as it creates the
sense of concern. The shallow depth of field, putting the girl in the
foreground in focus, and the mother in the back out of focus,
emphasises the struggle of the girl and creates more of a focus on the
girl, her facial expressions, her body language and the barbed wire.
2009/23965
Media Production and Analysis: Stage 2 Grade A Work sample
5
Work sample
Media Production and Analysis
Stage 2
Grades are allocated at the end of a unit or
semester based on the rank order of
students. Grades should not be allocated
to individual assessments.
Photograph 2:
Man beside Wheelbarrow
The selection of including the wheelbarrow in this photograph has helped
to create the reflection of the man in the overused, worn out
wheelbarrow. The photographers selection to increase the headline of
the photograph makes the man seem smaller and less significant. The
emphasis in this picture is on the man and his dark clothing, this occurs
because of the contrast between the colour of the wall and sand and the
darkness of the man’s clothing. This symbolises the man's mental state.
Photograph 3:
Damaged Child
The selection of the setting in this image was important in enhancing the
intended message of the photographer. The wrinkles in the canvas are
symbolic of the imperfections and hardships of the subject. The
emphasis in this photograph is on the subject's eyes. This was created
through the use of natural lighting and shadows. This makes the
subject seem more tormented, and enhances the message produced
by Dorothea Lange.
Photograph 4:
Ex-slave with a long memory
In this photograph, Dorothea Lange selected to frame the picture so that
you could see the subject holding what seems like a broom or stick.
This was used to symbolise the labour in which the subject has done.
The shallow depth of field in this image, emphasises the importance of
the subject. It also emphasises the subject’s facial expression, body
language and clothing.
Photograph 5:
Woman of the High Plains
The camera angle used in this photograph was selected by the
photographer so that the viewer would be able to see the cloud above
the woman’s head. This enhances the representation of the woman
being under pressure and her struggles. This camera angle also helped
in creating an emphasis on the subject’s clothing and body language
This helps to construct the representation of the woman as overworked
and tired.
Analyses meaning of
individual codes and draws
conclusions about the
overall meaning.
Photograph 6:
Migratory Cotton Picker
The photographer selected to use a close-up on this photograph. This
was effective in creating the representation of the subject as shocked
and depressed. This framing also assisted in bringing out the lines on
the subjects face and hands. This enhances the construction of the
representation intended by the photographer, as the man seems
overwhelmed, stressed and as though he has been overworked.
2009/23965
Media Production and Analysis: Stage 2 Grade A Work sample
6
Work sample
Media Production and Analysis
Stage 2
Grades are allocated at the end of a unit or
semester based on the rank order of
students. Grades should not be allocated
to individual assessments.
QUESTION 4:
The purpose of Dorothea Lange's images were to document the effects
of the Great Depression on farmers and their families. Her photographs
were used to expose the harsh reality of what was happening throughout
the country, which weren't images that the people were accustomed to
seeing. It is likely that during the Great Depression, people with lower
socio-economical careers would have been struggling the most, and
often dismissed by the middle to higher class people, as these people
were worrying about their own economical status. This is why it was
important that Dorothea Lange photographed people who were suffering
more than the majority of society, and representing these people as
equals, showing the American people how easily it could have been
them. The impact of these photographs were likely to create a lot of
sympathy for the farmers by the public. The people would sympathise
with the farmers as they can relate to their struggles. During the Great
Depression a lot of people were struggling to survive, and these people
can relate to the farmers and sympathise with them. Because with every
text, alternative readings occur, it is likely that some people may have
rejected the photographs and tried to protest the publication of the
images.
Connects the text with the
cultural context. Identifies
the social attitudes of the
viewers and discusses why
the audience would be
sympathetic toward people
in the photographs.
Suggests alternative
readings.
This could occur as there are images of young children who seem to be
in a very poor physical and mental state, and some people in society
may not want these images to be published as they are too controversial.
The reasons why Dorothea Lange's images were published are because
they were factual, and a real documentation of what was happening
during the Great Depression. Some of Dorothea Lange's more
controversial images would also be published as people would become
intrigued if there are some photographs that question the ethics of the
photographer published. Dorothea Lange's images were also published
because they were a way to document the history of the Great
Depression, as during these times photography was the key medium
within the media.
2009/23965
Media Production and Analysis: Stage 2 Grade A Work sample
7