Photography

Official Course Title: GCSE Photography

Exam Board: AQA

Further details can be obtained from: Mrs L Craigie, louise.craigie@hdhs.school

Photography is defined here as the practice of producing images using light-sensitive materials such as photographic film, or digital methods of development and production to create static or moving images.

In Component 1 and Component 2 students are required to work in one or more area(s) of photography, such as those listed below:

 •portraiture

 •location photography

 •studio photography

 •experimental imagery

 •installation

 •documentary photography

 •photo-journalism

 •moving image: film, video and animation

 •fashion photography. 

They may explore overlapping areas and combinations of areas.

Courses based on this specification should encourage students to: 

•actively engage in the creative process of art, craft and design in order to develop as effective and independent learners, and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds 

•develop creative, imaginative and intuitive capabilities when exploring and making images, artefacts and products 

•become confident in taking risks and learn from experience when exploring and experimenting with ideas, processes, media, materials and techniques 

•develop critical understanding through investigative, analytical, experimental, practical, technical and expressive skills 

•develop and refine ideas and proposals, personal outcomes or solutions with increasing independence

acquire and develop technical skills through working with a broad range of media, materials, techniques, processes and technologies with purpose and intent 

•develop knowledge and understanding of art, craft and design in historical and contemporary contexts, societies and cultures 

•develop an awareness of the different roles and individual work practices evident in the production of art, craft and design in the creative and cultural industries 

•develop an awareness of the purposes, intentions and functions of art, craft and design in a variety of contexts and as appropriate to students’ own work 

•demonstrate safe working practices in art, craft and design.

Our GCSE exams in Art and Design include questions that allow students to demonstrate their ability to: 

•bring together the knowledge, understanding and skills acquired during their course of study 

•select and present work produced during their studies to demonstrate attainment, reflecting a holistic approach to coverage of the assessment objectives 

•make connections between knowledge, understanding and skills when engaging with sources such as the work of artists, craftspeople and designers and when applying working methods and processes appropriate to one or more of: 

•a starting point, stimulus or issue-based concern 

•a design brief or problem requiring a solution 

•a task which specifies an outcome such as an image, artefact or product.

In Component 1 (portfolio) students develop responses to initial starting points, project briefs or specified tasks and realise intentions informed by research, the development and refinement of ideas and meaningful engagement with selected sources. Responses will include evidence of drawing for different purposes and needs and written annotation. 60% of the overall marks are available through this component. 

In Component 2 (externally set assignment) students respond to a starting point provided by AQA. This response provides evidence of the student’s ability to work independently within specified time constraints, realise intentions that are personal and meaningful and explicitly address the requirements of all four assessment objectives. 40% of the overall marks are available through this component. 

 The qualification provides a strong foundation for further study at AS and A-level as well as vocational pathways in art and design.