Art and Design (Photography)

Course summary

A-level Photography provides students with opportunities to develop personal responses to ideas, observations, experiences, environments and cultures in practical, critical and contextual forms. Students must have their digital camera and access to Photoshop. Students will develop: • independence of mind in developing their ideas • an interest and enthusiasm for art and design • the experience of working with a range of media, including traditional and new media and technologies • an awareness of different roles, functions, audiences and consumers of art and design practice Students will be introduced to a variety of experiences exploring a range of photographic media, techniques and processes. They will be made aware of both traditional and new technologies, but new technologies will be prominent. They will explore relevant images, artefacts and resources relating to photography and a wider range of art and design, from the past and from recent times, including European and non-European examples. This should be integral to the investigating and making process. Their responses to these examples must be shown through practical and critical activities which demonstrate their understanding of different styles, genres and traditions. They will use sketchbooks/workbooks/journals to underpin their work where appropriate and can use traditional methods and/or digital techniques to produce images. Pupils should be aware of the four assessment objectives to be demonstrated in the context of the content and skills presented and of the importance of process as well as product. When reflecting on their progress students should consider whether they have just, adequately, clearly or convincingly met the objectives. AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding AO2: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress A level options 2023–25 41 AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements.