To broaden your understanding of a variety of light and lens-based photographic techniques and processes, utilising both traditional and new technologies, including photograms, pinhole, black and white printing, digital photography, collage and photomontage, animation and filmmaking.
Why take this course?
Photography is an exciting medium that can be used in many different ways. This course will teach you to look at the world in a creative way. The innovative potential stimulated in this course will enable you to apply creative, analytical and critical thinking to any other course that you do. You will develop an awareness of critical analyses of artists’ work helping to develop your own ideas through practical application and written reflections. You will have the opportunity to document your work successfully online, creating your own digital ePortfolio.
GCSE Photography could lead to entry into ‘A’ Level Photography in the Sixth Form as well as other creative courses within the school.
Course Structure & content
Areas of study In Component 1 and Component 2 students are required to work in one or more area(s) of photography, such as those listed below:
portraiture
location photography
studio photography
experimental imagery
installation
documentary photography
photo-journalism
moving image: film, video and animation
fashion photography. They may explore overlapping areas and combinations of areas.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS A true interest and enthusiasm for the subject as well as an awareness of the need to carry out research and homework in your own time and attend Photography Workshops on a regular basis.
Assessment The course is broken down into two sections: The Controlled Assessment – worth 60% of final grade and the externally set assignment worth 40% of final grade. In the Controlled Assessment you will be introduced to a variety of experiences exploring a range of photographic techniques and processes, including traditional and new technologies. You will explore relevant images, artifacts and resources relating to a range of Fine Art from the past and recent times, which should be integral to the investigating and making process. You will produce responses to these examples through practical and critical activities, which demonstrate understanding of different styles and traditions. The Externally Set Task – worth 40% of final grade. During the Externally Set Assignment you will be introduced to a range of topics and stimulus materials from which you select one. You are expected to develop your own work with evidence, which covers all four assessment objectives. The questions will be available from January 1st in the year of the examination. You will be allocated a set time to complete the developmental work and then have 10 hours of supervised time to complete a personal response to the chosen topic.