Entry Requirements

GCSE Art, at grade 4 and/or GCSE Media or Film Studies at grade 4 or BTEC Media at Merit. In exceptional circumstances, students who have experience of extra-curricular creation of photographic work at a high level may be considered for this course 

Exam Board: Pearson / Edexcel

Why Study Photography?

You get to be a Photographer and spend all your lessons taking photographs, making photographs, taking about photographs and even writing about photographs! Are you getting the picture - we love photography!

Photography gives students a broad opportunity to engage with a range of lens based media – this means that film and digital cameras can be used, and even video is an option. We study a range of contemporary photography to develop understanding and explore the creative use of photography as well as gain a thorough understanding of the technical processes underpinning film based and digital photography. Beginning with the summer project work, we encourage students to take photos regularly and our first term is focused on developing the basic camera skills via a series of practical workshops. This course enables you to work on developing your own ideas; it focuses on giving you the skills and critical vocabulary to express yourself. Students will have regular tutorials in which they receive individual feedback and guidance bespoke to their own projects.

What Topics Will I Study?

We work with at least two photographic media – film photography, digital photography or the moving image. You will learn how to critically evaluate a photograph and moving image, how to compose and take photographs and how to use a dark room, Photoshop and digital printers to create unique images. We work to facilitate students’ individual ideas and this may mean some advanced Photoshop or it could mean a specialized printing process like cynatypes, animations or acid etching! We work to help you achieve your goals and meet the assessment objectives. 

How Will I Be Assessed?

By both coursework and an externally set assignment.

The coursework is negotiated with your tutor and will be an ongoing portfolio of work that demonstrates research and experimentation resulting in an exhibition of final prints.

The externally set assignment follows a similar structure, the difference being that the initial topic is set by the exam board and there is a set time for completion; however, there is still a great scope for individual variations within the theme. Additionally, there is a written research task that students prepare under exam conditions.

An Example Of The Type Of Work Involved

Choose a topic or theme; mindmap the potential options; collect a range of image to explore the possibilities; research a range of photographers/artists who have made work that fits your interest; in depth research into 1 or 2 artists to explore their working techniques and then experiment to try and emulate their style; undertake some further experiments with media and materials; create a proposal for your own photoshoot; do the shoot; review the resulting images; undertake further experiments; review and evaluate; plan next shoot, continue on to a conclusion and your final exhibition. 

What Careers or Higher Education Follow from this Subject?

A Level 3 qualification in photography would be ideal for progression to a specialist degree course in photography or an art foundation degree course. The skills developed would benefit studies in a wide range of practical arts subjects. Recent graduates have gone on to study courses in Digital Effects Design and Architectural Design. 

Other Opportunities Available Whilst Studying this Course

We will visit galleries and invite photographers to come and visit in school. We will do workshops on location in London and surrounding areas. Additionally you will be encouraged to generate photographs for display around RR6 and the schools’ websites. You will be encouraged to submit work for any photographic competitions.  

Photography and Art students are invited each year to attend a residential weekend in Margate, accessing the Turner Gallery and taking a wide range of photographs for their portfolios.