In The Branching the tree and the figure have similar elements, which are presented like a mirror image in this composition. The limbs of the tree and the limbs of the figure create a dialogue between the two panels, heightening the sense of the uncanny.

Responding through discussion and making
List the similarities and differences between the two images. How are they related? How would you describe the stance of the person? What gives these images a sense of movement?

Find an object from the natural environment and photograph it. Have a friend emulate the natural object and photograph the person. Present the two images together, either on screen or in print. Reflect on the correlations between the images, considering their appearance and the mood created.

This unusual image has elements that look like both the positive and negative of a photograph. It is obviously a person but there are very few things that give us that information.

Responding through discussion and making
Find clues that suggest this is a person. What is the effect of the light that is seen in the top right-hand corner? What sections of the photograph look like a negative image?

Set up a portrait shot by using low lighting and a spotlight on part of the background. Manipulate the resulting image to make the portrait appear to emerge from the background. Reflect on the mood created by your photograph.

The person in this image is male, which is unusual for Pat Brassington's photographic practice. However, it is difficult to discern the gender as it seems like we are looking through a haze.

Responding through discussion and making
Consider the composition of this photograph and comment on the position of the person and the effect it gives the work. What is the person doing? What mood does it give the work? Find clues that indicate the position of the light source.

Imagine this is one scene from a short story. Write the story then create a storyboard to illustrate it. You could then interpret your story as a film or series of photographs.

Pat Brassington's photographic works conjure a world where odd elements are introduced into familiar scenes to create a world of fantasy. This photograph is no exception.

Responding through discussion and making
What is happening in this photograph? What part of the human body is depicted? Why does it look disturbing? What is the effect of the symmetry? Describe the use of symmetry in other photographs in this exhibition.

Create a series of photographs depicting symmetrical composition that occurs naturally in the environment. Create a second series where objects or elements of the composition are arranged asymmetrically. Compare the effect.

Some parts of this image are in sharp focus and other parts are blurry. The photograph is one of a collection of six, titled The permissions #1-6. They have within them objects that are partially concealed, giving the images a sense of mystery.

Responding through discussion and making
Describe who this person might be: age, gender, personality. What type of plant is in their mouth? What is the effect of having only part of the image in sharp focus?

Create an image expressing the theme of ‘masking and hiding’. Make part of the image in sharp focus and contrast this with a soft focus elsewhere in the image.

Many of Brassington’s images make use of the human form. Through distortion, Brassington re-codes the familiar with the fantastic.

Responding through discussion and making
How has the head of this person been changed and what is the effect? Explain the similarities and differences between this image and a conventional portrait.

Create a series of portraits where the sitter's face is somehow obscured. Reflect on how the mood of the portrait is impacted by not revealing the face.

Here we have a collection of images appropriated from 19th-century photographs of female patients diagnosed with hysteria and cinema.

Responding through discussion and making
What links can you find in this set of images? Which do you think are the images of female patients and which are from cinema? How is the title related to the work?

Research the genre of film noir and discuss how these photographs are visually similar to stills taken from this type of film.

Find images from social media that portray dramatic emotions. If necessary, manipulate the images to make them into a cohesive set through the use of a tonal or colour filter for example. Collage the images into a mood board. Give your work a title.