Art and Design (Photography)

Course summary

Through expressive and theoretical studies, A Level Art and Design leads to a fuller understanding of the visual arts. Emphasis is put on the importance of recording the creative process. This is done through creative experimentation with media and processes, as well as keeping a work journal which tracks the development of ideas. The course encourages experimentation in Year 12 and is full of practical workshops. This enables students to demonstrate an understanding of past and contemporary art and design practice. Year 13 builds on these skills as students specialise and focus on a personal theme. Year 12 is a skills-building opportunity, in which students embark on a series of short practical projects to develop their understanding of photography, particularly the creative use of manual camera settings. They also learn about off camera flash lighting using our purpose made photography studio space. Digital creativity using industry standard Adobe Creative Cloud, which includes Photoshop and Lightroom, also forms a large part of the course and helps students explore exciting creative outcomes inspired by contemporary Art Photography practice. In the Lent Term they begin an independent project in which they have an opportunity to direct their own creative practice through the study of contemporary photographers, which leads to a series of imaginative experiments. This work sits on a solid foundation of strong practical skills and encourages creative risk-taking. During the summer term students are introduced to the Year 13 Personal Portfolio Unit. They are free to choose their own influences through research, gallery visits and open studios. They go on to develop and refine imaginative and ambitious personal outcomes supported by in-depth critical and contextual understanding.