PHOTOGRAPHY

Do you enjoy taking photographs? Are you motivated to improve your skills with the camera and software? Are you good at using your creativity to develop personal ideas and responses? Do you love the visual arts and have dedication?

If your answer to the above is “yes” then perhaps you should consider AS Photography.

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• A grade C in Art is desirable but not essential- it is important that you are a creative person who can respond to artistic challenges.
• You cannot choose both Art and Photography.
• You must have access to a camera with full manual controls eg DSLR or Rangefinder camera (small compacts or cameraphones not suitable).

• You must have access to a laptop or desktop computer.



What will I study?

 

We offer a broad course which will start with the basics of DSLR photography. You will be shown how to operate your camera in manual mode and experiment with shutter speed and aperture settings to achieve different effects. You will learn how to edit your work with post processing software where you will experiment creatively in image manipulation. The study of the work of contemporary and historical photographers is an important part of this course and you will need to show evidence of this in your portfolio. Your work will include portraiture, landscape photography, still-life photography and experimental imagery.

 

AS LEVEL

 

Unit 1 Coursework Portfolio

You will produce a portfolio of photography which will be your response to themes or topics that we will provide. You will include all the best examples of your work and your portfolio will show how you have responded to the work of other photographers.

 

Unit 2 AS Externally Set Assignment (exam)

This unit takes the form of a timed test (5 hours) responding to a theme set by the AQA exam board, where you produce preparatory studies leading to a finished set of work. Again, you build on existing skills using relevant photographic techniques of your choice.

 

How will I be assessed?

 

AS LEVEL

 

Unit 1 – Coursework Portfolio

50% of AS, 25% of A Level- No time limit - 80 marks

 

Unit 2 – AS Externally Set Assignment (exam)

50% of AS, 25% of A Level Supervised time 5 hours 80 marks

 

Entry Requirements

 

Route 1 – Grade C in Art (desirable but not essential)

Route 2 – Grade C in Art (desirable but not essential)

Route 3 – Not available

Route 4 – Not available

 

Career Opportunities

 

Studying Photography can lead to a number of careers areas such as news journalism, scientific photography, advertising and commercial photography, fashion photography, freelance photography (weddings, portraits etc.).