ART & DESIGN:  PHOTOGRAPHY

Head of Department:  Mrs C Fidler
Teacher in Charge:  Ms E Townsend

Photography A-level
Edexcel Syllabus 8034 (AS) 9034 (A2) (Edexcel Examinations Board)

The main purpose of a course in photography is to develop the student’s ability to appreciate and respond to the visual world in a personal, critical and creative way. Work in photography should form a means of personal enquiry and expression involving the selection and manipulation of images. Students must employ imaginative approaches which go beyond mere observation and recording.
Photography includes artwork in film, video and digital imaging.
The skills we will develop will be varied, but students will be expected to develop a knowledge and understanding of: SLR cameras, light, film types, viewpoints, composition, and depth of field. It will also be possible to study the moving image
Darkroom developing and printing is taught, as well as the manipulation of the image through digital and mechanical means, including Photoshop.  You also will develop a specialist vocabulary and understanding of the place of photography in history and in contemporary society.

Course Content
The course is divided up into 4 units of assessment. 
Two AS units are completed and assessed in the first year. 
The 2 A2 units are completed and assessed in the second year. 
Workbooks showing research and progression of ideas are produced for each unit.

Your Photography course will enable you to develop Key Skills which are essential to whatever you go on to do afterwards.  In particular,  Communication, is integral to the study of Photography.  Other Key Skills include: IT, Improving own Learning and Performance, Working with Others and Problem Solving.

Requirements
This is a new subject to most students, so no previous experience in photography is necessary.  The student should, however have a strong interest in creating and understanding photographic images and the determination to develop that interest.