Photography

Exam Board: AQA

GCSE photography encourages you to actively engage with the creative processes of Photography and helps you to become a reflective thinker with an enquiring mind. You will develop independent learning skills and develop your creative, imaginative and intuitive capabilities. You will explore, create and produce images and products. You will become a confident risk taker and will learn from your experiences through exploring the camera and its possibilities. You will build on your critical understanding through your chosen area(s) of study using your personal interpretation, considered selection of sources and independent judgements to undertake an active investigation of processes.

Photography is defined as the practice of images using light sensitive materials such as photographic film, or digital methods of development and production to create static or moving images. During the 2-year GCSE course, you will explore all areas of photography to gain a broad base of skills in which you will pick one to specialise in year 11. Areas of study include Portraiture, Location Photography, Studio Photography, Experimental image, Instillation, Documentary Photography, Photo-Journalism, moving image including film, video and animation and fashion photography.

You will develop and understanding an appreciation of the formal elements which will underpin everything we do in photography.  You will develop skills in lighting, viewpoint, aperture, depth of field, shutter speed and movement, use of the enlarger and will develop knowledge and skills around chemical processes.

Assessment

During the GCSE photography course, you will be working to hit four assessment objectives which will delve into your own investigations, you will develop an understanding of critical sources, refining and exploring, recording ideas and observations and presenting a personal and meaningful response.

The course is made up of 2 components. Component one (portfolio) which is worth 60% of the final grade and component 2 (externally set task) which is worth 40%.  You need to complete both of these components to be awarded a GCSE.

This course if 100% non-examine assessment which means the final grade is based on 100% of the coursework.

For more information, please speak to Mrs Rees

lrees@kirkhallamacademy.co.uk