Photography

Students are introduced to A-level photography through a series of technical workshops to sharpen tradition skills, encourage expressive practice and produce work at a large scale. In photography they first learn the processes to capture successful exposures, how to use equipment such as tripods, studio lighting and reflectors to assist with the taking of images. 

Students are required to work in one or more area(s) of photography, such as those listed below. They may explore overlapping areas and combinations of areas:

• portraiture

• landscape photography (working from the urban, rural and/or coastal environment)

• still life photography (working from objects or from the natural world)

• documentary photography, photojournalism

• fashion photography

• experimental imagery

• multimedia

• photographic installation

• moving image (video, film, animation)

Students will gain experience of professionalism as they are required to display their A-level work in exhibition format. Visiting artists and visits to galleries could provide expansive experience of the wider world of art, craft and design.

Entry on to arts courses at university and other degree awarding bodies are generally through a combination of grade, portfolio of work and interview. Students will be encouraged to visit art departments and degree exhibitions to get a sense of the standard required, and the type of student who would profit from a higher level course.

The creative industries in this country are the envy of the world, with graduates working in many fields in many countries. The UK creative economy comprises jobs in the creative industries and creative jobs which are in non-creative organisations (e.g. design or marketing teams within manufacturers). It comprises an estimated 2.9m jobs or 1 in 11 of all UK jobs (for more information please visit www.thecreativeindustries.co.uk).