Art & Design Photography
This course is a buzzing visual feast where you experiment with types of photography from ‘Street’ to ‘Fashion’ in an individual and highly creative atmosphere. There are some costs attached to this course. The Art Department sells a pack of equipment at the start of the year including an SD card, an SD card reader, a portfolio, a memory pen and a sketchpad and glue.
To get started
You will develop a series of projects using digital cameras (DSLR’s) that allow you to become familiar with the different types of photography (genres) from landscape photography, portraits, fashion, street and fine art photography. You will start off with a thorough grounding in the functions of the camera and then develop your own work based on the themes above. You will be taught about editing; however the best shots are those that don’t need editing. You will need to be imaginative and energetic! You have to keep sketchpads full of thumbnail shots and edited shots. Students will be given the opportunity to go out on location for various shoots. You will build on the acquisition of skills and develop your own distinct style and ideas based on themes developed by you. As well as practical coursework for the A Level you have to produce a ‘Personal Study’ which is a written/illustrated study about a theme closely related to photographers’ work that will influence your own. This has a minimum of 1,000 words of continuous prose which will be illustrated. The theme would be broadly the same as the practical work. You will look at and respond to a variety of photographers related to your own work and be expected to research thoroughly at home.
Exams and Assessment Information
EDEXCEL – 9PYO For the A Level, 60% marks = Coursework (Personal Investigation). 40% = Exam (Externally set assignment) with a 15 hour exam at the end of the course. Photography teachers examine all your work and this is externally moderated.
What Next?
The qualification enhances applications to other creative courses and is a good complement to the Art and Design A Level course. You can go on from here to do a one year Foundation course where you focus on an area you could study at degree level (e.g. photography or fashion photography). The A Level also allows you to apply directly for a degree course and is important for degrees such as advertising, film studies, and photography. Careers stemming from the A Level Photography course include film making, advertising, film and T.V. and museum curators amongst others. Sixth Formers have their own dedicated studio to work in during lessons and study periods.
