A Level Photography

Learn how to take better photographs that translate into creative and meaningful imagery.

If you are interested in the world around you and your place within it, enjoy picture taking and would like to learn how to take better photographs that translate into creative and meaningful imagery then you would be very suited to the Photography course.

About the Course

Studying Photography will give you a greater understanding of the world we live in, and your place within it. You will be encouraged to explore subject themes with a personal interest to ensure that you are always on a meaningful creative journey. We actively encourage individual ideas and experimentation with one to one discussion and feedback during lesson time. There is also the opportunity to take part in several local study visits and one abroad; recent destinations have included Paris and Venice.

We have a wide range of resources available, including:

• Photographic studio and location lighting equipment
• Range of film and digital camera equipment
• Digital editing computer suite
• Photographic darkroom.

The course is essential in preparing you for degree-level study but is also ideal if you wish to further your Photography skills. No previous knowledge is required for this course, but a keen interest in the subject is a must!

The focus of our course involves two main areas:

• Generating visual ideas from direct personal experience using photography and note-making
• Developing these ideas inspired by the methods and approaches of other photographers and artists

• The History of Photography
• Aperture and Shutter Speed
• Composition
• Natural and Studio Lighting

Genres of Photography:

• Street
• Portrait
• War
• Social Documentary
• Art and Advertising

We also explore the working methods for personal projects that will best support your progress on the A level course.

• Once we have completed the Induction program we ask students to develop their individual project research. We also continue to introduce students to a range of working methods and materials which can be used to develop project work. This period involves taking your ideas further through experiments with media, processes and imagery. You can build on your favourite ways of working or explore new approaches at this time.

Exam preparation:

• The Unit 1 Personal Investigation starts in January of Year 12. This will culminate in a practice exam piece of 10 hours under timed conditions.
• Summer term teaching begins after study leave in June. At this point Unit 1 will continue to develop into the Summer Term, which will give students an opportunity to deepen their investigations and extend their contextual research. This will continue to be developed throughout the first term of Year 13.

You need to be qualified by both the relevant Admissions Score AND the predicted GCSE grade for each A level you apply for.

Please go to the College website to find the most up-to-date entry requirements for each A level that we offer: https://www.hillsroad.ac.uk/study-with-us/a-level-subjects

You can also visit www.hillsroad.ac.uk/apply to find out more about making your application.

Students may go on to study a variety of courses such as Photojournalism, Fine Art, Portrait or Press Photography and Graphic Design. The Photography A level also supports successful applications to a very wide range of further study at degree level, for example, we have future scientists, engineers, historians, actors and mathematicians studying on the Photography course. Students can build on their developing knowledge about visual culture and strong independent research skills, and apply their imaginative and creative abilities in many other areas of study. For many students, Photography at Hills Road is part of a broad programme of study which supports their progression to top higher education destinations. Some of our ex-students have gone on to become medical illustrators, video editors and art directors.

For more information and to read the FAQs for this subject visit www.hillsroad.ac.uk/photography