Photography A-Level

Course summary

Photography is an exciting and creative subject that encourages you to develop a personalised visual language by observing the world through the lens of a camera. You will learn how to use sketchbooks to develop a creative journey and explore a wide range of techniques and processes. You will learn about digital photography, traditional photography and alternative processes. At St John’s we are fortunate to have a photography suite fully equipment with 20 iMac computers, a photographic studio and a darkroom. You will learn about digital photography by completing photo-shoots in the studio and by digitally manipulating the images in photoshop. You will also learn about traditional film photography by using a film camera and developing negatives and producing prints using the darkroom chemical process. You will also experiment with alternative camera-less processes such as photograms and cyanotype printing. You will be taken on location to complete photo-shoots as well as taking photos at home and in the studio. You will work to a set theme, which will include highly structured photographic tasks. You will also be expected to develop your own responses to this theme by researching and responding to a wide range of photographers. You will build a portfolio of images, some of which you will display in a professional end of year exhibition. In the second year of the course you will have to present a personal study on a topic of your choice, which should be related to your practical work. This will include a minimum 1000 word critical study. Course Details During this course you will: Build a portfolio of still and moving images exploring a wide range of materials, processes and techniques including film processing and digital photography Experiment with a wide range of photographic materials and processes Be taught how to research and analyse the work of relevant artists and photographers Complete studio and location based photoshoots related to a set theme Complete independent photoshoots related to the theme Present their work in the annual exhibition