Welcome to the PHOTOGRAPHY Department

In Photography GCSE you will use a DSLR camera. It is beneficial for students to have their own DSLR camera, SD card and card reader.*

How will I learn?

Over the course students will build a portfolio of work on Chromebooks using Google Slides, they will work with computer programs like Photopea. This is an Art based course so students will be expected to draw in a variety of ways for planning and development of ideas.

What will I learn?

Students choosing Photography need to be interested in Photography and willing to take professional looking photographs in and
out of school. They will learn about composition, lighting and image manipulation on Photopea. Students will learn the difference
between taking snapshots and being able to take a professional photograph. They will also need to analyse photographs from famous

Photographers and be able to use their work to inspire their own.

What other activities will I do?

Some GCSE work needs to be experimental, and students will learn through trial and error using different functions on the DSLR
camera.This, alongside research, is part of developing creative ideas and outcomes based on a range of themes such as portraiture,
still life and landscapes.

What is required of me?

Students need to be motivated to complete at least 1 hour of independent learning a week to be able to produce the quantity of
work over the two-year course. As everything that is completed in lesson is controlled assessment or externally set assignments;
students’ attendance must be excellent.

Examinations

Your GCSE controlled assessment (unit 1 Portfolio) is worth 60% of the total marks and this assessment starts as soon as you begin the course in September. The final exam (unit 2 Externally set assignment) is worth 40%of the full GCSE. After completing preparatory work in class based on a set question, you will spend two days (10 hours) working on your final outcome.

Units 1 and 2 are assessed separately out of 96 marks and both are marked on the same assessment objects titled:

  • AO1 Develop, which is about researching Photographers and styles
  • AO2 Refine, which is about experimenting to find out more a develop practical ideas
  • AO3 Record, which is about showing your ideas visually and your drawings
  • AO4 Present, which is about producing a final outcome based on your research

*Our recommended camera is a CANON EOS 2000D DSLR Camera with EF-S 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Lens:
Approximately priced at £500

SD card costs can vary, approximatetly £10 for a 32GB (recommended)
Card reader - £5-£10

Requirements for the Course

It benefits students to have their own camera - this allows them to work in and out of school on coursework and means they do not have to share a camera.

  • Students will need their own SD card and card reader.
  • A selection of basic art materials such as:
  • White and black fineliners
  • Double sided tape
  • Watercolour paints or pencils would also be useful.