Overview

Students will explore photographic techniques using a variety of methods and media. They will be taught how to exploit the creative potential of photography through four successive units of study over two years - portfolio work, a personal investigation and two externally set assignments. These units develop sound understanding of practical techniques as well as building a critical foundation for all work, relating photographic explorations to the work of contemporary and historical photographers and artists. Students' sketchbooks/ workbooks/ journals will demonstrate understanding of different styles, genres and traditions through a range of practical and critical exercises.
This will lead to a body of work over the course of the 'A' level that can be used at interview should the student wish to pursue the subject at degree level.

Content and Assessment:


AS Course - First Year

Unit 1 - Portfolio (50% AS mark, 25% of total A Level mark) AS students should submit a selection of thoughtfully presented collection of work, based on an idea, concept, theme or issue.

Unit 2 - Externally-Set Assignment (50% AS mark, 25% total A Level mark)
Question Paper containing a choice of five starting points. Five hours supervised time to produce a body of prep work.

A2 - Second Year of Course

Unit 3 - Personal Investigation (25% of total A Level Mark)
Students develop work in response to an idea, issue, concept or theme of their choice. Students must include written material of a critical analytical nature.

Unit 4 - Externally-Set Assignment (25% of total A Level marks)
Question Paper containing a choice of eight starting points. Fifteen hours supervised time to produce a coherent response.

Areas of Study

Students will work in one or more area(s) of Photography, such as those listed below. They may explore overlapping areas and combinations of areas.

• portraiture
• landscape photography (working from the urban, rural and/or coastal environment)
• still-life photography, working from objects or from the natural world
• documentary photography, photo journalism
• experimental imagery

Students will learn to demonstrate skills in all of the following:

• the ability to explore elements of visual language, line, form, colour, pattern and texture in the context of Photography
• the ability to respond to an issue, theme, concept or idea or work to a brief using Photography
• appreciation of viewpoint, composition, depth of field and movement; time-based, through such techniques as sequence or 'frozen moment'
• the appropriate use of the camera, film, lenses, filters and lighting
• understanding of techniques related to the developing, printing and presentation of photographic images.
• the working vocabulary and specialist terminology which is relevant to their chosen area(s) of Photography.

During the course we will take advantage of the city centre location to visit the numerous galleries on our doorstep, as well as visiting The National Media Museum in Bradford to undertake focussed research. Tutors are friendly and approachable, and units of work can be tailored to suit individual student's area of interest.

Claire Rigby
Subject Leader