Photography A Level
Course Overview
Our A Level Photography course will enable you to create individual, expressive work and introduce you to new skills in both digital and analogue photography. As well as learning new technical skills, including studio lighting and elements of composition, studying photography will develop your understanding of society and culture.
You will be encouraged to be curious and proactive as you learn and explore new ways of thinking. Our teachers are experienced, specialist, staff who are passionate about photography and keen to help you develop your skills and potential. We offer excellent facilities including Mac suites, an industry standard photographic studio and a large, well-equipped darkroom.
Throughout the course, there is an emphasis on developing your creativity through studying the work and techniques of established photographers to use as inspiration in the development of your own projects. The first year of Photography is all about discovery, you will learn to use a range of cameras to take incredible pictures, learn to print your photographs in the darkroom as well as working on Macs using Photoshop software to enhance your digital imagery. In the second year, you will be expected to reflect on your practical coursework and produce an illustrated essay based on your investigations into your chosen photographic genre.
We offer students an exciting range of enrichment activities, trips to galleries, location shoots, support entering national competitions (which they win!) and regular exhibitions of their work. They benefit from great educational, residential trips, such as the recent trip to New York this Spring, and visiting speakers ranging from industry practitioners to leading university representatives; helping you to make informed choices about your future.
Year 1 Modules
- Initial Project
- Personal Project
Year 2 Modules
- Personal Investigation
- Externally Set Assignment
Key Info
Minimum Entry Requirements
- Five GCSEs at Grade 5 including:
- Grade 5 in GCSE English Language
- Grade 5 in GCSE Photography if taken
Assessment
- 40% Exam
- 60% Coursework
- Exam Board: AQA
157
Total students
17
Average class size
Why choose this course?
In Photography, we offer an exciting range of enrichment activities; trips to galleries, location shoots, and exhibitions of students’ work. Our students have a reputation for winning national photographic competitions. You can also benefit from great educational, residential trips to Paris and New York.
As a part of the course, we have visiting speakers who are industry practitioners and representatives of leading Universities, to help you make informed choices about your future.
You will enjoy this course if you have an independent approach to learning. If you enjoy taking and thinking about photographs, enjoy being creative, and you want to base your projects on your own personal interests.
Skills you'll gain
As well as learning about the choices you have as a photographer, you will learn about what makes a good photograph, how to use elements of composition, and experimental techniques to produce unique photographs.
Other essential skills include project planning, time management, researching established photographers and reflecting on your work as it develops.
After Long Road
Progression from this course can be directly to either the Level 4 Art Foundation course, University or employment.
Our students develop technical skills alongside creative and expressive ways of working, preparing them for further study and employment in the photographic and creative industries.
I really enjoyed using the Darkroom, I learnt so much about what makes a good photograph. On this course there is so much that you learn that will improve your images and the teachers are really helpful and supportive
