Art and Design (Photography)

Course summary

Photography pupils are encouraged to develop their technical and creative abilities. We enjoy a purpose-built darkroom for traditional black and white 35mm photography, Canon E0S digital cameras, studio lighting and a suite of computers running Adobe Photoshop. However, perhaps the greatest value of the AS and A2 courses is that they teach the aesthetic skills used in a whole range of visually orientated careers, from architecture to fashion, television and digital media to graphic or theatre design, marketing and product development. Pupils mount and present their work creatively and professionally. Through both manual and digital platforms, pupils gain an understanding of composition, tonal values, focussing, aperture and shutter speeds. Learning to analyse the work of other photographers becomes a valuable support to the development of the pupils’ work and aesthetic sensibilities.