Photography (A Level)

Photography will develop your ability to see the world in a different light and from a different angle; identifying the unusual in the mundane; developing your technical and creative skills through personal investigation; delving into the work and ethos of other photographers, artists and designers to enhance your creative growth. This is an exciting and creative course that uses Adobe Photoshop software to its maximum capability.

What you will learn

You will learn different ways to set up your camera to develop your photographic skills and to achieve the specific effects you want. You will learn to develop your ideas through studying the work of others and making a series of critical and visual responses. Learning to create your own digital book will enable you to develop presentation skills and you will learn to organise your work to evidence and convey your creative journey.You will learn to use wet processing methods and how to make enlargements on the enlargers. There will be an introduction to different lighting techniques and you will quickly master the basics and be able to book the lights for use in your own time. You should expect your editing skills to develop throughout the course.

We will encourage the use of a wide range of specialist tools, techniques and processes and help you realise how to apply these to your creative vision.

How you will learn

We strongly encourage students to take ownership of their own learning. As teachers our aim is to facilitate your learning rather than dictate it. We will help you learn the skills you need for your idea and as you progress you will take more ownership over your thematic project. We use a mixture of whole class delivery, peer assessment and collaboration combined with tutorial style teaching that is a two way constructive discussion on your work and how best to realise your intentions.

Year 1

Initially students build on the transition work from the summer, editing preliminary photographic studies, developing the use of a digital book evidencing their photographic skills, critical analysis and presentation skills. During Terms 1 and 2 students will explore key camera skills including composition, viewpoint, depth of field and shutterspeed. The thematic Personal Investigation project (coursework 60%) runs throughout year 1 and the majority of year 2, up until January of the second year. Students choose their own individual theme and will develop three different concepts on that theme during the course. Students will explore lighting set ups and experiment with wet processing techniques in the darkroom including chemigrams, photograms and using enlargers. The first outcome is a narrative journal which is the culmination of both digital experimentation and physical manipulation of photographs. From this students will take a successful aspect of their work and independently develop the concept further to lead to their Concept 2 outcome.

The third concept which contributes much of the work for the Personal Investigation practical submisssion and the Personal Study essay is begun in term 6.

Year 2

The concept for the Personal Investigation practical project and the Personal Study essay are set by the students themselves. This is a personal line of enquiry which links research and practical work directly to their critical study, exploring and investigating a chosen title question. Students will rely heavily on their experiences from year one of the tools, techniques and processes they have used in order to develop their project independently. They will work on the project through to term 3 when they will produce a final outcome.

In Term 3 of year 2, students will start their final externally set assignment which is 40% of the final grade; the theme for the project is set by the exam board. Students will work through a preparatory phase of approximately 3 months supported by their teachers. They will explore the theme in different ways and develop a sense of what they want to create for their outcome before sitting a 15 hour exam during which time they will produce their final design.

Assessment 1. Personal Portfolio, non-examined assessment, 60% of final grade.

This component allows students opportunities to generate and develop ideas, research primary and contextual sources, record practical and written observations, experiment with media and processes, and refine ideas towards producing personal resolved outcome(s).

Students must work within one of the following titles:

• Film-based photography
• Digital photography
• Film and video.

Assessment 2. Externally Set Assignment, examination, preparation studies and 15 hour exam, 40% of final grade.

This component allows students opportunities to generate and develop ideas, research primary and contextual sources, record practical and written observations, experiment with media and processes, and refine ideas towards producing a personal resolved outcome(s) in response to an externally set theme during a 15-hour exam.

College basic entry requirements

• Grade 5 or above in GCSE Photography or Art

Where Next?

Art foundation course, photography or art related degree. Careers in fine art, commercial photography, fashion photography, graphic design, marine photography, fashion journalism and promotion, reportage, studio and documentary photography.

Course Combinations

The course combines well with A levels in Art, Design Technology, Creative Media, Psychology, English, Geography and History.