The study of Photography can be used to broaden personal experience and understanding of an increasingly interconnected and technologically rich world. Photography enables students to explore and understand self, others, the world, and their place in it, as creators and consumers. Images are the language of photography, and are used to represent, question, and communicate concepts and ideas. Students make and curate photographic works responding to changing and evolving requirements for exhibitions, client briefs, entrepreneurial purposes, and interdisciplinary contexts.
A selection of units will be offered each semester, in line with student needs and interest. PLEASE NOTE: While the content of an A and T course is the same, there are several defining factors between the two. A and T units will be differentiated through the design of appropriate assessment tasks that are weighted to the requirements of The Arts Framework. There are two courses offered: Photography and Specialised Photography. Units from these two courses can be combined to create a major or double major. Students can complete a minor / major or double major in Photography.
Students learn about the creative process in Photography. They explore techniques and strategies used to create photographic works. Students apply the creative process, techniques, use of equipment and strategies to express their understanding of self, others, and the world.
Students learn about how meaning is communicated in a variety of photographic forms, styles, and conventions. They explore techniques for communicating their ideas to an audience. Students apply their understanding to communicate meaning in response to a range of issues through photography.
Students learn about how photographers over time and place have represented their knowledge. They explore how photographers throughout the world and history have expressed their understanding of self, place, and issues. Students apply their knowledge of context, empathy, ethics, and principles of intercultural understanding to creating photography.
Students learn about the photographer as a storyteller. They explore photographic works that are constructed or documented to shape narrative. Through analysis of narratives in photographic works, students gain insights on how perspectives on the world and/or identity are presented. Students apply their theoretical and technical skills to construct and/or document narratives.
An Independent Study unit has an important place in Senior secondary courses. It is a valuable pedagogical approach that empowers students to make decisions about their own individual learning. An Independent Study unit must be proposed by an individual student, be for their own independent study, and negotiated with their teacher. An Independent Study unit requires the principal’s written approval. The program of learning for an Independent Study unit must meet the unit goals and content descriptions as they appear in the course. Students must have studied at least three standard 1.0 units from this course.
Students learn about innovative photographic practice and practitioners who break with codes and conventions. They explore the aesthetics and ethics of new technological and conceptual innovations in photography. Through experimentation and problem solving, students apply their skills and knowledge of innovative photographic practice.
Students learn about stylistic and curatorial choices and how that positions audiences to interpret photographic works. They explore how the presentation, display and use of photographic works influences attitudes, values, and perspectives. Students apply technical and conceptual skills in curation to create their own texts and exhibitions. They explore the representations of ideas in photographs as photographer, editor, and curator.
Students learn about entrepreneurship and the connections between photographic practice and industry. They explore the tension between the creative and commercial considerations when working within a client brief. Students apply their understanding of entrepreneurship and industry to produce authentic photographic products for a range of purposes and audiences.
Interdisciplinary inquiry is an approach to studying and addressing complex problems and/or issues to explore new perspectives and advance critical thinking. Students develop skills in synthesising viewpoints, drawing conclusions, and exploring alternative applications of photographic practice. They learn how photographic practice can be applied to and work with other disciplines. Students examine how to incorporate knowledge and skills from other disciplines and consider how photographic works can incorporate other mediums.