Photography
A level Photography will particularly appeal to students who want to communicate their ideas visually, who are interested in the relationship between art and photography, enjoy looking at and discussing photographic work and want to engage with practical project-based photography. Students will be offered a variety of experiences that explore a range of photographic media, techniques and processes.
Students will explore relevant images and resources relating to a range of photography, art and design, from the past and from recent times. This will be linked to the investigating and making processes. Students’ responses to these examples will be shown through practical and written activities that demonstrate understanding of different photographic styles, genres and traditions.
Students will use sketchbooks/journals to present their work and show the development of their ideas. They may wish to develop their drawing skills in order to produce storyboards, thumbnail sketches and diagrams.
Students will use digital techniques to produce images, from taking photographs to digital manipulation with software.
Areas of study
Students are required to work in one or more area of photography, such as those listed below. They may explore overlapping areas and combinations of areas including:
• 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, photojournalism
• Experimental imagery
• Multimedia
• Photographic installation
Method of assessment
Students will be required 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.
• Awareness of intended audience or purpose for their chosen area of photography.
• The ability to respond to an issue, theme, concept or idea, or work to a brief or answer a need in photography.
• Appreciation of viewpoint, composition, aperture, depth of field, shutter speed and movement.
• Appropriate use of the camera, film, lenses, filters and lighting for work in their chosen area of photography.
• Understanding of techniques related to the production of photographic images
• Understanding of appropriate presentation and layout of work in sketchbooks, portfolio boards and exhibitions.
The course consists of:
Personal Investigation (60%)
Externally Set Assignment (40%).
Topic areas covered
Students must show knowledge and understanding of:
• Relevant materials, processes, technologies and resources.
• How ideas, feelings and meanings can be conveyed and interpreted in images created in their chosen area.
• Historical and contemporary developments; different styles and genres.
• How images relate to social, environmental, cultural and/or ethical contexts, and to the time and place in which they were created.
• Continuity and change in different styles, genres and traditions relevant to photography.
• A working vocabulary and specialist terminology
that is relevant to their chosen area of photography.
