THIS COURSE CANNOT BE TAKEN AS WELL AS DT TEXTILES or ART AS AN OPTION CHOICE 

Photography - GCSE

Duration of course: 2 years

Course type: GCSE

Examination Board: EDEXCEL

Overview: 

How can I become a skilful photographer and develop my creativity and creative thinking?

Photography develops the ability to look at the world around us and respond to it in our own individual way using visual language through a variety of ways: taking and manipulating photographs; using digital and practical methods, as well as understanding how images are captured and using imagination and skills to edit, manipulate and develop photographic ideas into artwork.

Assessment Method and Component Percentages: 

• 60% Coursework ‘Portfolio’ Unit.  Ongoing assessment / 108 marks
• 40% Exam Board ‘Set Task’ Unit. Ongoing assessment / 72 marks. Includes a 10 hour controlled assessment.

What will I learn? 

You will cover:

• Investigating and developing a command of skills, knowledge and understanding in the following:
• The formal elements of art and design – pattern, colour, tone, line, composition, form, texture.
• How cameras work and how we can use traditional and modern methods, old and new technology, to explore and develop ideas.
• How to develop film and produce black and white photographs using our darkroom.
• How to manipulate and edit photographs using Affinity Photo.
• How to develop ideas through a creative process.
• How to present strong ideas and responses to what we see and understand about the world around us.
• Accurately record what we see through photography and drawing;
• How other artists/ photographers explore the themes, subjects and ideas that we are interested in ourselves.
• Research and analysis of how photography practitioners’ work.
• Evaluation and analysis of artists’ artwork and practice.
• How will I learn?

How will I learn? 

You will learn:

Art and Design: Photography is mostly practically based, and focuses on the main skills:

• Taking photographs of subjects of interest.
• Experimenting with different photographic processes, materials and techniques.
• Analysing the work of other artists
• Developing ideas using a creative process
• Producing final outcomes/ artwork that displays learning
• Written analysis and evaluation of your own work as it progresses.

Departmental Expectations: 

Respect and maintain a creative environment in the classroom and support other pupils in their studies.  Look after the photographic kit and equipment. Be willing to take risks with ideas and media used to learn new things. Present work with commitment and care. Work outside of lessons to develop, improve and complete classwork.

Career Potential: 

Photography, Graphic Design, Film and Television, Fashion, Media, Freelance Photography, Animation, Journalism, Advertising and other non-art related university courses and professions.

Future Progression routes possible: 

Art will count towards entry requirements for any educational pathway including sixth form entry.

Entry Requirements:

In top 180 in the Art rank order or one of the best 4 subjects.