PHOTOGRAPHY

Exam Board: AQA Head of Department: Iain Young BA (Falmouth) MA, PG Dip (Winchester) PGCE Members of Department: Emma Green BA (Reading College) GTP Georgina Bouzyk BA (Aberystwyth) PGCE

Are you right for the course?

You will need a 5 or above at GCSE Art and Design. However, students who have not studied Art at GCSE may be granted access to the A Level course at the discretion of the Head of Art after submitting a personal photographic portfolio. Requirements for this portfolio will be issued by the Head of Art in advance of option choices. You will need a keen desire to explore photographic techniques both in the darkroom and digitally. It is possible to approach photography in either a technical or creative way, or both. Photography offers a distinctive way of learning, where seeing, thinking and photographing are combined in a powerful form of visual communication. Students are encouraged to be creative, to enquire and question, and to make connections with the work of other photographers.

What does the course consist of?

The course follows the AQA specification. This enables students to explore a range of photographic processes and respond to topics that they personally find interesting and engaging. Students will have the opportunity to work with black and white film processes, use digital processes and learn Photoshop techniques. The nature of the course allows for individual interpretations of topics to suit their skills and preferred ways of working.

Level Component Component Contents Time % of A2

A Level

Component 1: Personal Investigation Practical project and 1,000-3,000 essay

Component 2: Externally Set Assignment Preparatory period and 15 hour exam No time limit 60%

15 hours 40%

What does it offer?

Students have the opportunity to identify, discuss and resolve visual problems. They will experiment with photographic processes, responding, experimenting and adapting their thinking to arrive at different solutions. Students develop knowledge and understanding of, and respect for, the achievements of photographers and artists from different cultures past and present. This informs and enables the development of their creative practice.

Where will it lead you?

Photography can be a vocational subject and may lead directly to a career as a photographer. Possible career options include; advertising, graphic design, illustration, gallery work and photojournalism. Photography is seen as equal in academic status to all other subjects by universities. Careers advice and portfolio preparation for Further Education courses are available to all students.