Years 10 and 11
Photography is a key stage 4 course option only.
Awarding body
Course overview
Photography is an ever growing means of documenting our world. With the introduction of camera phones, we have more amateur photographers than ever before and every aspect of life can be captured and shared in an instance. On the GCSE course, students learn about what makes a fantastic photograph. They explore the work of world famous photographers of fashion, landscape, fine art, journalism, portraiture and products. They learn how to use a digital camera and how to set up a successful shoot. Work will be recorded in a ‘digital sketchbook’ and cameras will be available to borrow from school.
What will students study?
Through responding to the work of creative practitioners and the wider world around them,
students explore ideas for projects which develop a wide range of skills. They learn how to compose striking and diverse images and how to edit photographs using a range of techniques, including Photoshop. Students produce three major projects during the course:
- The formal elements of photography
- Coursework project – heroes and leaders
- Examination project
Assessment
The qualification is split into two parts: a coursework project worth 60% and an examination
project worth 40%.
The examination project is completed during class and homework time, which has a theme set by the examination board. It is the culmination of the course and is the chance for students to ‘show off’ what they have learned. Students will be given a broad based starting point and then receive approximately twelve weeks to gather, research, develop shoots and ideas and carry out experimentation. They will make their final piece within a ten hour period over two days in the photography classroom.
Recommended revision guides / course resources
GCSE bitesize, art section.
Tate Galleries online – glossary section
Saatchi online
Moma online
