Art: Photography
To view the full Curriculum Maps for Photography - Click Here INTENT: WITHIN THE SUBJECT
Photography is a popular and successful part of the school curriculum and is firmly embedded within Years 10-13. With the creative industries accounting for a huge proportion of the jobs available worldwide, it is essential that we prepare our students with the necessary skills throughout their time at Chislehurst School for Girls. Creative subjects encourage students to give life to their imaginations, where they learn to think independently and make work that is truly their own. This subject has been structured to have a broad, engaging and balanced curriculum which builds upon the knowledge and skills students have previously learnt at KS3, including the four key strands: Develop, Refine, Record & Present (which are also the four Assessment Objectives used at GCSE & A-Level). All students will have an introduction to the basics of photography in Year 9, studying the theme ‘Colour and Pattern’ as part of the wider KS3 curriculum. In addition to this, students will have the opportunity to take part in a Photography club in Year 9 which further builds on specific skills required as well taking part in a variety of in-school photography competitions. Throughout the duration of studying Photography in KS4-5, students will build confidence and resilience in learning a variety of new techniques and processes as well as using industry standard equipment. Students are encouraged to make independent choices and take risks when building upon their own independent body of work and are encouraged to partake in Independent study, developing and nurturing their own interests within the subject.
Skills covered as part of KS4 and 5 Photography include:
Darkroom: production of photograms, experimentation with cyanotypes & chemigrams
Image Composition: viewpoint, framing the image, rule of thirds, leading lines, depth of field, macro photography, portrait, focal point etc.
Camera Functions: aperture, shutter speed, fine focus, ISO, white balance, metering, timer, flash, continuous shoot, panning, colour selection etc.
Studio & Lighting: table top studio use, backdrop use, coloured acetates, high key lighting, low key lighting, continuous lighting, studio flash lighting
Digital Editing with Photoshop: uploading images and image organisation, colour adjustments, colour replacement, layering, application of text, drawing over an image, geometric patterns and tessellation, working with positive and negative space, removal of background, creating shapes, digital collage, layout design
Hand Rendering: weaving, collage, bleaching, burning, photomontage, stitching into, image transfer, scratching, embossing, painting and drawing over
INTENT: OUTSIDE THE SUBJECT
Students will be able to apply their problem solving, presentation and analysis skills across all subjects; whether through improved page presentation/ the ability to think creatively about their approach to a piece of work/ creatively mind map ideas. These skills will be transferable, and will support learners across the whole school curriculum. In addition to this, digital editing techniques will support students in not only the presentation o their work, but in subjects such as Graphics, ICT and Media Studies.
INTENT: BEYOND THE SUBJECT
Throughout the course students will not only produce work which can be used as part of their University application or career portfolio, but they will have the opportunity to learn subject specific skills to meet the needs of the entry requirements to University or career expectations. The natural progression for a GCSE Photography student is to study A-Level Photography, although we also offer A-Level Fine Art and A-Level Textiles. Support and advice are given to students on career opportunities in the Creative Industry, as well assistance with University and career applications, portfolio preparation and interview coaching. We are dedicated to ensure that our students are prepared beyond KS5.
KS4: GCSE Photography (OCR)
Exam board: OCR
Having previously experienced a sample of Photography at KS3, students will build upon their skills and knowledge and commence the GCSE course with a secure foundation in some of the practices and processes required. Students will already have an understanding of the language of the Assessment Objectives (Develop, Record, Refine & Present) and will then be able to focus on deepening their understanding throughout the course.
GCSE Photography has been structured to allow for a specific focus to learn Industry standard processes and techniques. Students will have their eyes opened to the world of creative lighting and how they can apply mood and meaning to an image. They will also experience working to a design brief through the creation of digital branded portraits, learning key skills in Adobe Photoshop. Their independent project topic choice will reflect their strengths and build confidence and resilience in the work they produce. This will allow students to take ownership of their work and be motivated by their own ideas. Students will also understand how to respond to the work of photographers and other contextual sources thorough research, responding to it and then moving their ideas forward. This process will help them gain a full understanding of how ideas can be developed from start to finish. Students will produce two ‘bodies’ of work throughout the course, and these are as follows
COURSE STRUCTURE:
1. Portfolio (Coursework Unit): 60% of final grade
This consists of a sketchbook of preparatory work, additional separate pieces, final outcome & evaluation.
2. Externally Set Task (Exam Unit): 40% of final grade
This includes an A4 sketchbook of preparatory work, additional separate pieces, a final outcome produced during the 10 hour exam, and an evaluation.
YEAR 10
Year 10 is separated into two parts. The first part of the year will focus on a portrait project called ‘Transform’. This continues to develop and build upon the skills which have been learnt during Year 9. Students will focus on consolidating knowledge of composition and viewpoint as well as strengthening their abilities in hand rendered and digital processes and gaining new skills in studio lighting. The theme itself allows students to experiment with a wide range of media and secure knowledge in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.
In the second half of the year students will focus on building their Portfolio (Unit 1) which will run into the first term of Year 11. Students will have the opportunity to choose their own guided theme under the choice of ‘Still Life, Portraiture or Landscape’. Students will produce work against the Assessment Objectives; deepening their understanding to meet the high expectations of the course. Each of the themes provided allows students to work confidently in their main area of interest building and developing on independent choices and decision making.
YEAR 11
The second year of the GCSE course is separated into two parts, one of which focuses on the refinement of the Portfolio work (coursework unit), planning and production of a final outcome. As students will have progressed and developed throughout the course, the quality of their work will also have significantly improved, therefore time is required for refining touches. The second part of Year 11 focuses on the Externally Set Task (exam unit) which is a much shorter project set by the exam board, whereby students choose their starting point from a list of options and are free to interpret this any way they choose following set stages of development. By this stage, students will be confident in their ability to work to the Assessment Objectives, having done this throughout their Portfolio. Production of a final outcome will take place during their 10 hour exam.
EDUCATION BEYOND GCSE:
An interest and motivation in Photography is the perfect starting point for studying an A-Level Photography, although there is also choice to study two other specialisms: Fine Art or Textile Design; all of which offer freedom of expression and complete free choice of topic for the Personal Investigation (coursework element). Opting to study a creative A-Level will provide the student with a portfolio of work which they can then use to apply for a career or University course. The Creative Industry is huge, and covers an extensive range of subject specialist fields. Here is just a small selection of the types of careers/ Degree courses which exist in the Creative Industry:
ART: Illustrator/ Teacher or Lecturer/ Freelance Artist/ Curator/ Graphic Illustrator/ Photography/ Photo Journalism/ Art Therapist/ Art Technician/ Auctioneer/ Tattoo Artist/ Courtroom Artist/ Printmaker
CRAFT: Fashion (womenswear/ menswear/ tailoring)/ Theatre Design/ Textile Design/ Jewellery Design/ Glass Maker/ Ceramicist/ Casting Technician/ Prop Maker/ Blacksmith/ Sculptor/ Shoe Maker/ Book Binder
DESIGN: Graphic Design/ Product Design/ Industrial Design/ Advertising/ Architecture/ Interior Architecture/ Interior Design/ Film & TV/ Animation/ Landscape Architect/ Special Effects Designer/ Video Game Designer
PHOTOGRAPHY/ MEDIA SPECIFIC: Advertising Photographer/ Fashion Photographer/ Photo Journalist/ Sports Photographer/ Food Photographer/ Portrait Photographer/ Underwater Photographer/ Wedding Photographer/ Stock Photo Seller/ Director of Photography/ Graphic Designer/ Web Designer/ Animation/ Video Game Designer/ YouTube Video Creator/ Camera Operator/ Documentary Filmmaker/ Television or Film Producer/ Film Editor
KS5 A Level Photography (OCR)
Exam board: OCR
The A-Level Photography course follows much the same process as the GCSE course but with the main aim to consider contextual understanding and meaning from a variety of different sources. In addition to this, students will consolidate their recording of composition and extend their knowledge in a variety of digital and darkroom skills. We often have students who have not previously studied Photography, therefore the first 1.5 terms are spent exploring, experimenting and developing students’ interests across a range of themes. This builds upon the skills and knowledge needed for producing their Personal Investigation (coursework unit). When students have completed their skills-based unit, they will choose a theme, topic or genre of their choice. The aim is to promote confidence, enjoyment and motivation in the work which they produce. When students have begun their Personal Investigation,
they will follow a process of conducting contextual research and responding to ideas through a variety of photoshoots which are then developed using a range of hand rendered and digital processes. If students have a particular interest in a specific Degree course or career, they are also encouraged to steer the topic of their Personal Investigation towards this. Previous students have found that in having a portfolio of work which overlaps their field of interest, it has given them a significant advantage in gaining a University place/ career appointment. Alongside the Personal Investigation, there is a ‘Related Study’ which is a piece of written work over 1000 words. The essay is related to the Personal Investigation, and we encourage our students to conduct a mini research project exploring how they can develop their Personal Investigation into a sustained area of study. This is then written as a contextual essay, allowing students to fully understand their chosen area of study for the final development stages of their work. Just as the Personal Investigation allows students creative freedom, the essay gives them a glimpse into the written element of a Degree Course. The second part of the A-Level focuses on the Externally Set Task (exam unit), which is similar to the GCSE paper. Students follow the same process of investigation and exploration after choosing one starting point, but then sit a 15 hour exam over three days, to conclude the A-Level course.
COURSE STRUCTURE:
1. Personal Investigation (Coursework Unit) & Related Study (Essay): 60% of final grade
This consists of a sketchbook of preparatory work, additional separate pieces, final outcome & evaluation, as well as the written essay (1000 words minimum)
2. Externally Set Task (Exam Unit): 40% of final grade
This includes an A4 sketchbook of preparatory work, additional separate pieces, a final outcome produced during the 15 hour exam, and an evaluation.
YEAR 12
Year is split into two halves. Students will commence the year studying a skills-based unit, which covers a variety of different themes and ideas. This enables those who have not previously studied photography to gain a wider understanding of the subject and course requirements. Students will explore the darkroom and key concepts such as composition and the visual elements. They will then go on to produce work in response to photographers whilst developing contextual knowledge and understanding of the subject and enhancing their digital and hand rendered manipulation skills. This element of the course is submitted as part of their Personal Investigation (Coursework Unit 1) as it enables them to develop their own style and come to their own conclusions when they choose to focus on a more sustained area of interest. Their Personal Investigation which is also the main body of work within Unit 1, will run into the first term of Year 13. Students commence their Personal Investigation choice after the February half term, this allows them enough time to explore, develop and refine their ideas in response to a particular theme, genre or issue. The focus of the remainder of Year 12 is based on the presentation and exploration of a variety of different themes within their overarching topic. Here they will begin gathering ideas, conducting photoshoots, and then responding to artists and visits. All work continues to follow the four Assessment Objectives.
YEAR 13
Year 13 will be structured in much the same way as Year 11, with students finalising their Personal Investigation (coursework project), and developing ideas and planning towards a final outcome. They will produce their final outcome, evaluate this, and conclude the final parts of their essay; writing the remaining sections and conclusion. The final two and a half terms will be focused on the Externally Set Task, with students choosing one starting point from the exam paper, and developing an A4 sketchbook of preparatory work with supporting studies. They will strengthen and apply their skills of recording, refining, experimenting and analysis developed throughout the course to their work, and explore three contextual references to which they will respond. Work will be developed into ideas for a final outcome, and students will sit a 15 hour examination (over three days) to complete this.
UNIVERSITY/ CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:
There is a huge range of subject specialist careers in the Creative Industry which span across Art, Craft & Design. In order to prepare for University life, students can either opt to apply directly for a Degree course, or if they are unsure of the field in which they would like to work and need further opportunities for investigation, the majority of
students undertake a one year Foundation Course in Art & Design or Photography & Media. The course will prepare students with a portfolio of work, which they can then use to apply for a Degree of their choice. Students will receive advice in choosing an appropriate course, preparing their personal statement, portfolio presentation and interview coaching. The A-Level course will prepare students with a solid foundation of the skills required to start a Foundation course/Degree. Here is just a small selection of the types of careers/ Degree courses which exist in the Creative Industry:
ART: Illustrator/ Teacher or Lecturer/ Freelance Artist/ Curator/ Graphic Illustrator/ Photography/ Photo Journalism/ Art Therapist/ Art Technician/ Auctioneer/ Tattoo Artist/ Courtroom Artist/ Printmaker
CRAFT: Fashion (womenswear/ menswear/ tailoring)/ Theatre Design/ Textile Design/ Jewellery Design/ Glass Maker/ Ceramicist/ Casting Technician/ Prop Maker/ Blacksmith/ Sculptor/ Shoe Maker/ Book Binder
DESIGN: Graphic Design/ Product Design/ Industrial Design/ Advertising/ Architecture/ Interior Architecture/ Interior Design/ Film & TV/ Animation/ Landscape Architect/ Special Effects Designer/ Video Game Designer
PHOTOGRAPHY/ MEDIA SPECIFIC: Advertising Photographer/ Fashion Photographer/ Photo Journalist/ Sports Photographer/ Food Photographer/ Portrait Photographer/ Underwater Photographer/ Wedding Photographer/ Stock Photo Seller/ Director of Photography/ Graphic Designer/ Web Designer/ Animation/ Video Game Designer/ YouTube Video Creator/ Camera Operator/ Documentary Filmmaker/ Television or Film Producer/ Film Editor
