Art and Design (Photography)

Course summary

Never before have we produced and consumed so many images, around 5 billion photographs are taken a day worldwide - a staggering statistic. In 1928 László Moholy-Nagy predicted: “The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as the pen.” With photography seemingly ever-present; a vitally important tool in modern communication it has never been so popular. Photography is a leading contemporary, multicultural visual language, a global fascination that continues to gain momentum and popularity as technologies advance, photography is used in an ever-growing manner of approaches and functions; therefore understanding this medium has never been so important, so relevant in modern society. “One advantage of photography is that it’s visual and can transcend language.” – Lisa Kristine In a world saturated by imagery A-level photography at the Sixth Form College Farnborough will teach you through practical and theoretical discovery how to: o Learn, read and interpret different types of imagery o Recognize the codes and conventions of photographic genres and pictorial styles o How to respond to target audiences o Question the validity of images, how do photographs lie? o Utilise semiotics, signs and symbols in image creation o Create visually alluring images that skillfully utilise compositional techniques o Confidently work with professional digital cameras o Recognize the creative possibilities of post camera image production using Adobe Photoshop and other creative cloud applications o Use specialist professional lighting equipment, both in studio and on location o Work in a traditional black and white darkroom, offering the opportunity to use ‘analogue’ film cameras and processing techniques o Experiment with traditional colour film processing techniques and digital scanning methods o Explore various physical manipulation techniques and production methods o Further image capturing techniques with moving image and animation o Realise creative possibilities by presenting work in an appropriate form using professional printers, magazines and digital applications o Respond to stimuli in a creative and meaningful manner, recognizing and exploring appropriate creative pathways through contextual research and image analysis o Gain valuable insights into the modern uses of Photography and the continued developments of the medium in the visual arts and modern industry o Exhibit work both physically and digitally