Year 12 photography

The study of Art Photography enhances perception and focus. Art Photography asks profound questions about the things we observe, imagine, and invent. How do we understand what we experience? How might we communicate the most important elements of the things we think, feel and see?  Art Photography is a foundation course that aims to extend your understanding of photography as an art form. 

Students who study Photography will:

• find opportunity and support in the Art room where you have the freedom to express your ideas and work creatively with access to specialist photography equipment and studio space.

• develop critical thinking and the ability to interpret the world around you. You will do this by studying existing works of prominent artists and photographers in order to develop your visual vocabulary. 

• develop photography techniques, research skills, develop Adobe Photoshop skills and conceptual thinking for further art study at tertiary level in a range of disciplines.

• benefit from enhanced well-being and improved health and happiness – many students comment that taking Art Photography as a subject acted as an outlet for releasing the pressures of studying as well as those of everyday life.

Studying Photography can open doors to creative industries such as:

• Editorial, Press and Fashion Photographer

• Photographer, Artist, Art Director, Filmmaker, Video editor, Image retoucher

• Art Restorer, Gallery Curator, Production assistant, Teacher, Art Historian

Visual skills are essential for a sophisticated workforce, so by studying Art you gain an education in the vital skills of learning to see and develop the ability to interpret and critique our image-saturated world. 

You will develop your Photography skills and ideas through:

• Advancing your pictorial understanding of what makes a series of photographs artistic verses a 'snapshot'

• Extending your technical ability and to think conceptually

• Engaging in a personalised project supported by your Teacher inspired by your interests and passions, through an independent workbook practice and portfolio

• Participating and contributing to discussion using photographic terminology, and engaging in artist research

You will also self-direct and extend your skills using the Adobe creative packages with guidance from your Teacher and online tutorials.

You will be given a photographic visual investigation and then helped through a series of processes to explore the investigation. The whole year is project based and you will start with developing a strong understanding of photographic picture making based on your interests and strengths. You will generate your own imagery, analyse established artists work, and apply your ideas through the action of drawing, sequencing and photography through workbook practice and a folio. 

You will build your capacity to manage your time and materials, critically reflect on your own and others work through class critique and personal annotations, and build confidence in your own artistic ability and creative potential.

To find success in Year 12 Photography you will need to able to work with independence, autonomy and self-discipline. You should enjoy being creative and thinking outside the box.

It is recommended that you have attained a minimum of 14 credits in one of the Level 1 Art or Art Design courses as this means you have already had experience managing your own year long art project and developed some control of photographic conventions. However, if you wish to select this subject with no prior Level 1 Art experience you are encouraged to request an interview with the HOD Art. 

You may enrol in a maximum of two Art courses.

Cameras - While students are encouraged to own their own DSLR camera, the Photography Department has a bank of DSLR cameras that students may borrow for up to 48 hours at a time free of charge. 

Stationery - Most work in Photography is completed digitally, but students are encouraged to purchase the following stationery kit from National Art Supplies.

You will have two internal assessments at the beginning of the year to develop sound work habits and plot progress. This work is then integrated into your portfolio if you wish to use it. A folio consisting of two panels 640 x 820 mm will be externally assessed at the end of the end of the year. There will be a mid-year 1 and half panel portfolio exhibition requirement as well. Here you will peer critique each others work.

Achievement Standards:

• 2.2 - Use drawing methods to apply knowledge of conventions appropriate to photography (Internal - 4 credits)

• 2.3 - Develop ideas in a related series of drawings appropriate to established photography practice  (Internal- 4 credits)

• 2.4 - Produce a systematic body of work that shows understanding of art making conventions and ideas within photography (External - 12 credits)

Digital Submissions

All digital submissions need to have actual moving images within the painting/design/photography to be considered by NZQA. For example: a filmed advertisement, a time-based installation or moving/changing graphic. 

NZQA Visual Art Subject Resources

http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/qualifications/ncea/subjects/visual-arts/levels/

http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/qualifications/ncea/subjects/visual-arts/external-exemplars/

School Policy for NCEA Assessment

You should be aware of the school procedures for NCEA assessment.  They can be found on the school website at this link. There you will find answers to frequently asked questions about how NCEA works as well as guidance about how to apply for extensions, reconsiderations or the process for withdrawing from a standard.