WHAT IS PHOTOGRAPHY?
This is a two-year qualification. Throughout the course, students will explore, research and acquire techniques and develop their skills, knowledge and understanding in a range of photographic media. Students will work toward particular themes, ideas or issues and are encouraged to be experimental, innovative and enquiring in their approach. The course enjoys very high achievement rates and the quality of the work produced has been recognised by external moderators. A recent report states that the students produce “high quality, exciting and lively work that is extremely personal, mature and travels beyond the normal expectations and boundaries of traditional photography”. Opportunities to enter national competitions and exhibit work offsite are continually offered for which we have had much success in recent years. Students can also apply to undertake roles of responsibility in the department such as Subject Ambassador or become a member of the Art Collective. |
SKILLS
Throughout the course students will explore, research and acquire techniques and develop new skills, gain knowledge and understanding in a range of photographic media. Students will work toward particular themes, ideas or issues and are encouraged to be experimental, innovative and enquiring in their approach. As well as developing their creative talents, students also learn to problem-solve, think analytically and creatively. This subject encourages students to develop a deeper unserstanding and awareness of the world around them.
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THE COURSE DETAILS |
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INDUCTION PROJECT
In the first year, students will focus on learning and developing the skills required for the subject through a series of workshops and projects. This will include learning how to use DSLR cameras, software, use photographic lighting and darkroom practice. Along side this students will be introduced to the work of a range of photographers and will cover portraiture, location, still life and experimental photography. They will then apply the skills they have gained in an increasingly independent way, leading to a personal investigation at the end of year one. In the second year, students will complete two units of work (as outlined below) which will be internally and externally moderated. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a range of departmental extra-curricular events and activities. Students are encouraged to enter competitions and exhibit their work. We have had great success with this, extending learning opportunities and providing invaluable experiences which cannot be taught in the classroom. Students also have the opportunity to undertake roles of responsibility as a subject ambassador or as a member of the art department collective.
COMPONENT 1: PERSONAL INVESTIGATION. (60% OF A LEVEL)
Learners will produce two elements:
- A portfolio of practical work showing their personal response to either a starting point, brief, scenario or stimulus, devised and provided by the learner or centre.
- A related study: an extended response of a guided minimum of 1000 words.
COMPONENT 2: EXTERNALLY SET TASK (40% OF A LEVEL)
Learners will respond to an externally set task which will provide a number of starting points. A response will be based on one of these options.
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CAREERS/DESTINATIONS |
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Magazine Editor
Medical Photographer Press Photographer TV Camera Operator Advertising Digital Marketing Film/Video Editor |
Visual Merchandiser
Web Designer Picture Researcher Freelance Photographer Photographic Technician Portrait/Wedding Photographer Multimedia Specialist |