GCSE Photography

What will I study?

Students will gain knowledge in understanding how sources inspire the development of ideas, relevant to photography including how sources relate to historical, contemporary, social, cultural and issues-based contexts and external considerations such as those associated with the cultural industries and client-oriented requirements, how ideas, themes, subjects and feelings can inspire creative responses informed by different styles, genres and aesthetic considerations and/or an individual's distinctive view of the world. Students will focus on a variety of different areas of study including Portraiture, Location Photography, Studio photography, Experimental imagery, Installation, Documentary photography, Photo-journalism, Moving image: film, video and animation and Fashion photography. Students will develop an ability to use photographic techniques and processes, appropriate to students’ personal intentions, for example, lighting, viewpoint, aperture, depth of field, shutter speed and movement, use of enlarger, chemical and/or digital processes. Students will also use media and materials, as appropriate to students' personal intentions, for example, film, photographic papers, chemicals appropriate to darkroom practices, digital media, programs and related technologies, graphic media for purposes such as storyboarding, planning and constructing shoots.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment will take place in two parts:

• Component 1 - 60% Coursework element to be completed in Three Units of Work over the course of Year 10 and Year 11.

• Component 2 - 40% - Exam Project set in January of Year 11. An externally set theme from which students create their own project in response to the theme, with the final piece being created under exam conditions over 2 days and in 10 hours.

What skills will I be tested on?

There are 4 assessment objectives which are used to mark both the coursework and the exam project, relating to the following.

• Observing and recording ideas in relation to a theme. (AO1)

• Studying other photographers’ work and using their research to develop their own ideas – researching other photographers’ work in-depth, commenting upon their work and using this to influence the direction of your own work. (AO2)

• Experimenting with materials and processes, and refining ideas. Experimenting with ways of working and different media appropriate to the theme or idea, refining ideas by trying them out in a variety of ways in order to come to a great final piece idea. (AO3)

• Creating a personal response - Creating a successful final piece. (AO4)

Specification

You can look at the specification to understand more about this course.

• GCSE Art and Design