Art and Design (Photography)

Course summary

In Year 12, students follow a teacher–led program until October half term. Through a series of tasks and exercises, they develop technical skills in the use of a camera (shutter speed, apertures, depth of field, iso, etc.) and digital image processing (layering, curves, dodging, burning, etc.). They also develop a greater understanding of the formal elements of visual language (color, shape, line tone, texture, and composition) and how these can be applied effectively in their image-making. As well as practical skills, students also develop their critical understanding of the work of photographers by applying rigorous methods of analysis and interpretation. Students are guided in their understanding of the A-level assessment criteria with its emphases on development, experimentation, recording, and realization. They also develop research and presentation skills to effectively tackle the more independently driven work that commences after the autumn half term. Year 13 commences in June after the Year 12 coursework is completed. During this ‘summer plan,’ period students tackle a series of teacher-led exercises based on the theme of ‘Viewpoints’, which allow students to work in portrait, still-life, and landscape genres. In this second half of the summer term, students are allowed to produce some film work and develop skills in editing and the use of sound. Students can then continue the course either focusing on stills photography or film work or a mixture of the two. During this period, students begin to devise personal projects that they will continue over the summer holidays during which time they produce at least one sustained photographic sequence.