Photography at Marlborough

‘A place to find your passion and the chance to explore the medium in new ways’

Kieran Catton (TU 2012-17) BA Architecture, Oxford Brookes University

The Art School is a vibrant, inspirational, and engaging creative environment, where every pupil’s individuality is highly valued and their ability to realise their artistic ambitions supported.

Photography at Marlborough is an established department within the Art School, offering excellent opportunities to pupils who wish to primarily develop a dedicated set of lens-based creative skills. From a Fine Art perspective, traditional analogue and digital photographic technologies are studied alongside other specialist and experimental approaches such as filmmaking, installation art and camera-less methods of image making.

Our lens-based teaching team are respected artists, who bring a complementary range of artistic specialisms to the course. As a Fine Artist and award-winning filmmaker myself, with experience in the industry, I am passionate in providing our pupils with guidance and specialist knowledge to enrich their studies at Marlborough and to prepare them for a career within the Arts. Our pupils regularly progress from Marlborough to study at leading universities both in the UK and internationally.

Scholarships & Bursaries

Art scholarships are awarded annually to individuals of exceptional ability and promise. Extra tuition is given to art scholars on a weekly basis. Workshop sessions are held to broaden the variety of artistic skills that the scholars cover and encourage independence and self-direction. During the Lent Term, an art scholars’ exhibition is held, providing a valuable opportunity for scholars to curate and show their work.

Jonathan Parnham MA (RCA) Head of Visual Arts Promotion and Photography

The College can offer means-tested bursary places of up to 100% of fees paid, including the Robin Child art bursary a new full-fee Sixth Form bursary which will be first awarded for September 2022.

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The scholarship and bursary awards process is overseen by Edward Twohig RE, Head of Art & Director of Visual Heritage

Creative Enrichment

Our Photography pupils are encouraged to use the Art School facilities during afternoon sessions, Studies, evening Prep, and at weekends. Pupils who study A level Photography have access to an exemplary choice of digital and analogue materials, cameras, lighting and studio equipment, computer editing facilities, accompanied by a growing specialist library resource to support their independent study.

The Photography Department runs annual cocurricular trips for Sixth Form pupils to broaden knowledge. Recent venues include Lacock Abbey/ Fox-Talbot Museum, The Photographers’ Gallery, Tate Modern and Kew Gardens.

All pupils, teachers, parents, and the wider community can regularly attend a diverse programme of talks. Curated exhibitions are held within the Mount House Gallery which frequently include a lens-based focus. Speakers and exhibitors have included Sir Don McCullin, Peter Lavery and Bea Grant. The interaction between pupils and visiting artist is regarded as invaluable for sharing knowledge, intentions and developing visual language.

Photography for Everyone

All Lower School pupils can explore experimental lens-based techniques through attendance at our weekly afternoon activities and options running during the Michaelmas and Lent Terms. These classes focus on giving a taster in both analogue and digital techniques, whilst linking to the History of Photography. Experimental lens-free methods of photographic principles and processes, such as cyanotype and pinhole photography, are investigated and practiced.

We nurture our A level Photography pupils’ personal development within small class sizes, giving specialist workshop support in darkroom analogue photography, filmmaking and digital image editing using Adobe Creative Suite software. One-to-one support is also provided, specific to each pupil’s chosen photographic specialism(s). Through research, our photographers learn to analyse both their own work and the work of others in contemporary, historical and cultural contexts, so that their practical work can demonstrate further inspiration and contextual understanding.

Facilities

Our photographers benefit from our specialist range of facilities, including a fully equipped and purpose designed darkroom for analogue film processing and image printing. Photography is often undertaken in our valued studio lighting suite. The introduction of photographic and hand stencilled screen printing provides a further avenue for personal expression. Photographers have full access to the industry standard, Adobe Creative Suite software and our Apple Mac Room for digital and video editing production. In addition, there is a well-resourced library, including film and photography sections.

Outstanding Success

Charlotte Rose (CO 2019-2021). Whilst studying A level Photography, Lottie’s artwork, Avni was selected for the prestigious group exhibition ‘Works on Paper 3’ at Blue Shop Cottage Gallery, London.

‘For Avni, I used geometric thread work patterns to reflect upon the beauty of youth. The vibrant abstract shapes complimenting the facial features aim to portray each individual’s unique aura, spilling out from the page.’

Lottie is currently attending an Art Foundation course at Ravensbourne University, London.

‘Studying Photography A level at Marlborough was my best decision ever; it was super fun and valuable, a place where I could truly express my creativity.’

India Borghese (NC 2016-21) Currently studying Photography at Bard College, New York USA.

What we can offer you

Our Art Department is committed to offering a rich and stimulating environment in which a versatile range of Art practices flourish. Photography is a central part of the department with leading edge Photography facilities, a dedicated enrichment programme and specialist teaching team.

• A dynamic and creative centre of learning for all pupils; from Shell to GCSE and A level.