Photography

The GCSE Photography course will enable students to investigate and record the visual world using a range of creative techniques and processes to explore highly personal interpretations and responses. Students will develop and refine visual and written literacy, self expression, risk taking creativity and broaden their appreciation of emotional, moral and social awareness.

The course is delivered to actively engage and promote independent creativity in the context of local, regional and international culture and the art community.

Photography may be defined as the creative journey through the process of lens and light-based media. This could include work created using film, video, digital imaging or light sensitive materials. With the developments of new affordable lens-based technologies, students will use photographic mediums to explore and create a portfolio of work, which develops and refines both the process and the concept. Students will also understand that Photography practitioners may work to client commissions within a commercial photography studio, or work as freelance photographers. They will need photo manipulation and graphic design skills, and good communication skills in order to liaise with clients and to promote themselves as photographers

Students will use a wide range of 2D and 3D materials and combine traditional and contemporary techniques, processes and methods. Disciplines will include Graphic Communication foundation skills, typography, formal elements and a wide range of topic themes designed to develop and foster independent, thoughtful, confident and dynamic young photographers.

WHY PHOTOGRAPHY?

Supports progression to A Level. The GCSE and the A Level have a common structure and titles, and follow a similar approach to the Externally Set Assignment and the assessment grid to ensure smooth progression to A Level at the end of the GCSE course.

Develops transferable skills students will learn to: ● apply a creative approach to problem solving ● consider and develop original ideas from initiation to realisation ● analyse critically their own work and the work of others ● express individual thoughts and choices confidently ● take risks, experiment and learn and develop from creative risk taking and mistakes.

SPECIFICATION LINK

ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK:

Assessment and feedback is ongoing throughout the course. A mixture of self, peer and teacher assessment and feedback is used to inform, consolidate and identify areas for development and creative progression. All assessment and feedback is structured around and reflects the Edexcel Art, Craft and Design Assessment Objectives and Assessment Taxonomy.

PHOTOGRAPHY

COURSE CONTENT Component 1 - Personal Portfolio 60%

Undertaken throughout Year 10 and Year 11, Students will complete projects, investigating a range of themes to develop skills, knowledge and understanding within Graphic Communication. Themes, projects and resulting work, may be separate in focus or be interconnected. Students will develop skills to investigate, analyse and experiment. Students will develop and refine ideas supported by contextual research, resulting in a personal portfolio of exciting, thought provoking and dynamic practical work. The four Assessment Objectives must be covered equally and in full.

Component 2 - ESA - Externally Set Assignment 40%

This component is set externally by Edexcel and is started in the January of Year 11. There is a title theme which students then explore in the ‘preparation’ period. This is then followed by the 10 hr exam. This is where students will produce an outcome or outcomes based on their preparation studies. All art based exams are held in the art studios.

Both components are fully assessed and internally standardardised by the Art Department and then externally moderated by Edexcel. The Art Department has an excellent record, recognised by Edexcel of highly accurate assessment and course design and delivery.

SKILLS DEVELOPED

● Observational Skills - Photographic techniques, rules and processes ● Creativity - risk taking. ● Development of photography based traditional and contemporary processes, materials and techniques. ● Strong visual awareness and visual communication skills. ● Wider appreciation of contextual and cultural themes. Photography and Art History. ● Interpretative, emotional, social and moral consideration. ● Development, exploration and inclusion of refined Visual and Written Literacy. ● Connective and non-connective ideas and concept development. ● Visual, digital and verbal communication, presentation and critique skills.

FURTHER STUDY

Students will be required to achieve at least GCSE grade 6 for entry consideration to an Art based A Level. The course is strongly recommended for all career paths, especially those that include creativity, visual communication, interpersonal, presentation and problem solving skills. Specific careers may include: Artist, Architecture, Design, Conceptual and Commercial Art roles and Education.

SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT LIST

Whilst the Art Department has excellent facilities, equipment, materials and provision, it is highly recommended that all Photography students have general art/photography based equipment. ● Drawing pencils - HB/2B. ● Glue Stick, Eraser, sharpener, ruler - (For home use scissors) we do not recommend carrying sharp items around school. ● Black Fine liners - different sizes. ● Preferable - Access to own DSLR camera. Department has a full suite of DSLRs - Out of school use. ● Digital media is used widely on the course - Access to Adobe Creative Suite is recommended - please talk to your teacher before purchasing ● Preferable. Access to own laptop style computer that can run Adobe Creative Cloud Suite