AQA GCSE

Photography

Key Contact: Mr Ledster

CAREER OPTIONS

Press Photographer, Television Camera Operative, Medical Illustrator, Photographer, Stylist, Visual Merchandiser, Web Designer, Film/Video Editor, Digital Marketeer, Graphic Designer.

Photography may be defined as the creative journey through the process of lens- and light-based media. This could include work created using film, digital imaging or light sensitive materials.

Students will use a range of photographic mediums to explore and create a body of work, which develops and refines both the process and the concept. They will learn about photo manipulation and graphic design skills, plus good communication skills in order to liaise with clients and to promote themselves as photographers.

Students will study:

portraiture
location photography
studio photography
experimental imagery
installation
documentary photography
photo-journalism

Students will gain the necessary skills to continue their artistic development at further or higher education level. The course offers a broad skills base including design, creative ICT applications, Photoshop and use of mixed media which equips students to go on to creative courses.

Assessment throughout the two-year course is by:

Component 1:

Coursework Portfolio

96 marks

60% of GCSE

A series of sustained projects developed in response to a subject, theme, task or brief and selection of further work from the course.

Component 2:

Externally Set Assignment

96 marks

40% of GCSE

The exam board will provide a separate externally set assignment for each title, each with seven different starting points. Students must select and respond to one starting point from their chosen title.

Marks are awarded across four key areas for both units:

AO1: Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources.

AO2: Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes.

AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses.

AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language.

Students are actively encouraged to work independently on their projects both at home and by attending the after school sessions.

You may be surprised to know that the creative industries generate a massive £92 billion for the UK economy and employ over 2 million people, with 3.04 million jobs in the wider creative economy.

Employment in the UK creative industries is growing at four times the rate of the UK workforce as a whole, according to latest official statistics from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Jobs in the creative sector are expected to increase up to a third by 2022.