Photography
Photography Vision Statement
The Photography courses at both GCSE and A Level are designed to equip students with the skills required to both produce their own high-quality photographs and also analyse and understand the work of others. We want our students to be genuinely passionate about the work they produce and to use the process of creating high-quality work to gain self-confidence and a love of learning. By the time students reach Year 12 and 13, we want them to be independent and highly ambitious - if they can think it, we will do our best to make it happen.
Useful Links
- A Level Photography at Hellesdon High School
- Tate Gallery
- ArtPad.com
- @hhs_artdepartment Visit the Art Department's instagram page to see our latest exhibitions of stunning student art.
Sections of A Level Photography
Exam Board: Edexcel
Coursework: 60%
Exam project: 40%
The course is divided into three distinct sections:
1 – Basic Skills
Many students start the course with little or no experience of producing photographic work. As a result, the first one and half terms is used as an opportunity to introduce students to a range of skills and techniques from photograms to macro photography and studio lighting. Students also complete a series of Theoretical Studies tasks designed to encourage them to think more about the context and meaning of work.
2 – Personal Study
Students each choose a photographer whose work the like. Having identified a specific aspect of their chosen photographer’s work they then produce a body of work exploring that theme in variety of ways. Students are encouraged to avoid simply ‘copying’ the visual style of the photographer’s work and producing pastiches, but instead produce their own original imagery which explore similar concepts/intentions. Students then write their Personal Study essays (approx. 3000 words) on their chosen photographer.
Having completed their essays and responses (including a Personal Study Final Response – displayed in their exhibition), students develop their ideas further using their Final Responses as a starting point. This body of work culminates in their Practical Work Final Piece (displayed in their exhibition).
3 – Examination Project
Students produce a body of work exploring a theme of their choice based on a given starting point provided by the exam board (Edexcel). At the end of a 12-week preparatory study period, students produce a Final Piece under examination conditions.
