ART and DESIGN: PHOTOGRAPHY - GCSE Option

Head of Department:	Ms Muddyman
Examining Board:	AQA

 

What will I study?

The key focus in this creative subject is for students to understand and express yourself through the visual form of photography. Students will need to be committed to learn, motivated to work outside of the classroom and able to develop your own project ideas.

In Year 9, students will study the basic concepts of photography and experiment with new techniques and media. Students will develop core skills though completion of mini projects and workshops which will culminate in varied outcomes.

During Year 10 and the start of Year 11 students will focus on one sustained folder of coursework that will develop over time taking into consideration the main course objectives. These will cover the following; developing ideas being informed by the work of others, exploring varied media and techniques, refining recording skills and finally, presenting outcomes. Students will be expected to work independently outside of the classroom.

What skills will I develop?

• Knowledge of digital SLR cameras, lighting and printing.
• Exploration of some darkroom wet processing techniques.
• Understanding of Adobe Photoshop.
• An appreciation of the work of a range of photographers.
• Development of written skills in order to analyse and understand varied photographic concepts
• Ability to produce independent research, and to work in a highly deadline-driven creative environment.

A very important part of the subject is being able to work independently and being prepared to go out and take Photographs out of school time. You will need to work outside of the lesson in order to prepare for lessons.

Extra sessions after school to support students and access the materials they may not have at home is available weekly.

Visiting galleries and museums is advised.

How will I be assessed?

Photography is a non-exam assessment (NEA) subject. There are two components which are therefore assessed internally by Arts Staff and then by the Exam board moderators.

Component 1 (Coursework) makes up 60% of the total marks and Component 2 (Externally Set Task) makes up 40% of the total marks.

Students will be given their marks at Christmas in Year 11 for Component 1 and then in May for Component 2.

 

For more information, view the video below: