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GCSE Photography

Title of qualification

GCSE Art and Design (Photography)

 

Exam Board

AQA

 

What will I learn?

GCSE photography is a two-year course which is designed to engage, inspire and challenge. Projects are graded through four ‘assessment objectives’ (AOs): AO1 artist links, AO2 development of ideas, AO3 observations and recordings and AO4 final response.

The first year will begin with you building skills and knowledge of photography skills such as lighting, viewpoint, depth of field and compositions.  You will then put these skills into practice to build a portfolio of work which combines multiple projects.  All projects start with AO1, artist links, where you will study the work of existing artists through written analysis and visual means.  This will inform the style of work you produce, as well as supporting you to be able to think critically and develop a deeper understanding of art and design.

Next you will move onto AO3, observations and recordings, where you will produce a variety of observational photographs displaying your skills focusing on a range of subject matter.  The observational studies will be informed and inspired by the themes and styles of the artist studied in AO1.

These two stages are then combined to produce work for AO2, development of ideas.  Here you explore editing programmes such as Photoshop to create your own designs through experimentation, taking inspiration from the artist whilst working within the project theme.  Through these experimental studies you will then refine your ideas to produce one final personal response to the project (AO4).

 

How will this course be assessed?

Examination

· Component 2: Externally set assignment (AO4), 10 hours, 10%

Non-examined assessment

· Component 1: Portfolio (AO1, AO2, AO3, AO4), 60%

· Component 2: Externally set assignment (AO1, AO2, AO3), 30%

 

What skills do I need?

We will continue to build on the skills you will have developed in key stage 3, however it is essential that you have a love and enthusiasm for the subject.

Skills covered in key stage 4 photography include: observational study through photography, photograph manipulation, creative ideas, annotation skills, written analysis of an artist’s work or style.

 

What is next for me after this course?

You can continue to study art and design as a vocational course or at AS and A Level.  An art and design GCSE will also support you to study other creative courses at further education.

Art and design opens the door to many exciting careers such as: illustrator, hair and make-up artist, fashion designer, animator, graphic designer, theatre designer, architect, product designer, games designer, photographer, artist, ceramic artist, teaching plus many more.

 

Are there any restrictions with this course?

This course is a GCSE subject and is open to students of all abilities.

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