Art and Design (Photography)

Course summary

The Visual Arts Department at Gosforth Academy offers several specialist A levels in Arts subjects. The courses are not just for those who want to be Artists, creativity is an important problem-solving skill and design permeates contemporary society. The Arts encourage analysis of our surrounding environment and community and teach valuable life-long skills. The courses are all practical so if you take a course in the Art department you should enjoy making, playing and getting stuck in. During this A level course you will have the opportunity to work with a wide range of lens-based techniques. Firstly you will learn how to use a camera through a series of workshops. You will then learn how to used digital programmes such as Adobe Photoshop to adjust, manipulate, and create images. You will study different genres of photography such as documentary photography, portraiture and still life, as well as more fine art based work using techniques such as collage and installation. In year one you will learn lots of new processes and skills as well as learning about how to develop a successful project. At the end of the year you will begin your Personal Project which will form the basis of your Coursework Portfolio. In the Spring term of year two you will work on your Exam Project, which is again, practical based work.