Photography is suited to students who have a keen interest in Photography, Digital Art, Digital Manipulation, or Media. Photography is about looking, learning, thinking, and communicating ideas. It inspires creative thinkers, and the most exciting aspect is that you are capturing the world as you see it.
The course requires learners who are willing to put extra time in outside of the teaching hours, with a will to push the boundaries and their creative vision to develop as a Photographer. This course is ideal for learners who wish to study a creative GCSE without needing the skills to draw confidently.
- Respond to a range of practitioners and project themes including still life, portraiture, surrealism, natural forms and many more.
- During Year 10 you will learn how to use a camera skillfully to take a successful photograph, manipulate imagery using Adobe Photoshop, and understand the importance of typography and how to analyse photographic sources to inspire your own.
- Document all your work throughout their GCSE in a digital portfolio, which also builds on their general ability to use a computer.
- Finally, the skills you’ll learn in Year 10 will prepare you for further independent study during Year 11 where you’ll have the freedom to take an individual approach to Photography, looking at both contemporary and historical Photographers and Artists for inspiration by developing a personal project which is meaningful to them.
Assessment Objectives
- Developing ideas through investigations informed by critical and historical investigations.
- Refining and exploring ideas through experimentation with materials and techniques.
- Recording ideas through observational drawing and other visual forms of communication.
- Personal informed response leading to final pieces/outcomes of individual research.
How is this course assessed?
The course comprises two elements
- Component 1 (60%) is coursework
- Component 2 (40%) is an externally set exam which consists of 12 weeks’ preparatory work in class followed by a 10 hour exam to create a final outcome.
GCSE Photography will provides the opportunity to study a wide range of academic or practical Post-16 courses, plus open doors to many creative industries and job prospects, including Freelance Photographer; Artist; Curator; Fashion Photographer, Graphic Designer, Advertising, Editorial Design, Picture Researcher; Photojournalist; Picture Editor; Gallery Manager; Exhibitions Coordinator and many more.
