This course enables you to develop your analytical skills by furthering your understanding of visual language, through the study of contemporary and historical practice. You will develop your knowledge of photographic techniques, processes and materials in a personal and creative way. You will have the opportunity to explore image making in a variety of forms including traditional and experimental chemical darkroom practice, digital capture and manipulation, animation and film-making.
The course begins with a skill focused unit in which you will have the opportunity to develop portfolio work responding to a range of themes and stimuli. This is supported by an extended personal project, which is developed over the first half of the year. This is followed by the second unit, an externally set task in which you will respond to a chosen starting point from an early release paper.
Essential Entry Requirements:
Standard Sixth Form requirements
Preferred Entry Requirements:
Grade B or above in GCSE Photography or a related subject
This can be found here.
Component 1: Personal Investigation 60% of total A Level
Candidates should produce two elements:
1. A portfolio of practical work showing their personal response to a thematic idea or starting point set by the centre or the candidate.
2. An Illustrated Contextual Study; a related study of continuous prose with a guided minimum of 1000 words.
This component is internally assessed and externally moderated.
Component 2: Externally set 40% of total A Level
Candidates select one starting point from an early release paper. This will be issued on 1st February and candidates will choose from a number of themes, each with a range of written and visual starting points, briefs and stimuli. Candidates will have up to 15 hours supervised time in which to independently realise their response(s). This component is internally assessed and externally moderated.
The course is supported by visits to galleries and visits from practitioners to enhance understanding of historical and contemporary practice.
The art studios are also regularly used at lunchtimes and after school for workshops and personal study sessions.
Photography Pack £20
London Trip £40 (approximately)
Students will need to bear in mind the overall cost of printing and materials throughout the course, as work should be appropriately presented for assessment.