Art and Design (Photography)

Course summary

This course is designed to help you become visually literate by giving you the skills in composition, lighting, focus and exposure and encourages you to make expressive, meaningful photographs. You will develop skills in digital image-making and explore the work of many other photographers, artists and filmmakers. The course is project and assignment-based based giving you: practical experience with digital and film SLRs; practice in the photographic studio; developing darkroom skills; an ability to critically analyse work from the history of photography; and instilling self-awareness of your own progress in the subject. In year one you will be introduced to the work of lots of inspiring photographers and will create your own responses using a variety of processes including digital and studio work. You will study the technical features of your camera and, working in a sketchbook, you will document your progress, analysing and reflecting on your work. In year 2 you will create a personal Investigation which focuses on an area of photographic study that interest you such as portraiture, fashion, experimental or even moving images. Your course completes with a 15 hour practical exam and an end of year celebration in the final shows.