Course Description

Students are taught how to use a variety of photographic techniques relating to different genres. A digitally based curriculum, using a variety of software but focussing on Adobe Photoshop. Students will be required to demonstrate skills in visual analysis, through exploring imaging techniques such as composition, framing, depth of field, shutter speed, lighting, exposure and viewpoint. They will experiment with processes, techniques, abstracting, designing, illustrating and documenting  and will learn to demonstrate an expressive and personal response in their work, appropriate for the given task or stimuli.

Assessment Structure

Using their new found photographic and digital imaging skills from Year 10 students will move on to the formal assessment structure in Year 11.

60% Coursework: Students will produce a portfolio of work showing their personal             responses to a variety of starting points, briefs, scenarios and stimuli. This will include a more sustained project demonstrating their ability to draw together different areas of knowledge through the creative process. Students have approximately 45 hours (15-18 school weeks as a guide) in which to produce their portfolio.

40% Final Examination Project: Question papers are issued to candidates on or after 

January 1st in their final year - Students have a range of written and visual starting points, briefs, scenarios and stimuli, from which they must choose one to base their personal      response.

Special Features

Although a practical course, students also produce a substantial portfolio of evidence         including in depth written annotations, observations and research. Students will also need to have demonstrated an aptitude for Art in KS3 and have a good understanding in ICT as much of the course is computer based.

Why study this subject

The skills developed during GCSE Photography can be applied and used to support       studies and learning in a wide variety of subjects and can lead into Photo Journalism,  Wildlife Photography, Conservation, Media, Scientific research and many other fields.

Students MUST have access to a good quality digital camera at home as it is essential to meet the requirements of this course and complete homework. Independent photo shoots will be required from September. A camera on a phone will not be sufficient as due to safeguarding rules students cannot upload images from their phones onto academy computers, they must use SD memory cards.