Marriotts Ridge High – Photo IV Independent Inquiry - Materials and Meaning Making – AP \[Studio Art:\

Mar 2026 · 2nd Semester

\ In this course, students develop and refine a body of work informed by independent research of culturally diverse, contemporary, and historic photographers, and peer dialogue to support an identified personal direction and inquiry. Students maintain a sketchbook/ journal to accumulate and investigate ideas, themes, and media. The portfolio reflects a breadth of experiences, the documentation of the photographic process, concentration on a specific theme, and the quality execution of artworks defended by a personal artist’s statement. The course continues the development of the body of work, which began in Phot III. It is recommended that students in this course take an AP Exam when it is offered in May (2-D Design). VA-830-1 The course challenges students to take risks, experiment with and expand upon photographic media competencies, and explore personal concepts in developing a thematic body of artwork. Students research the work of contemporary photographers employing studio processes that enable them to communicate personal concepts and ideas. Each student in the course is expected to handle photographic media with a sense of quality, breadth, and concentration on a particular interest or problem as evidenced in a thematic cumulative portfolio and sketchbook/journal.