A Level Photography at Ousedale School
| Qualification | AS Level |
| Examining Board | AQA |
| Teacher In Charge | Ms A Burton |
Coursework - 60% (Unit 1:30% Unit 2:30%)
Examination - 40% (Externally moderated exam)
Candidates will be introduced to a variety of experiences, explore a range of photographic techniques, embracing images created by digital was well as chemical means and by a combination of the two. Candidates will explore relevant images, artifacts and resources relating to photography and a wide range of art, craft and design from the past and from recent times, including European and non-European examples which will be integral to the investigating and making process. Responses to these examples will be shown through practical and written activities, demonstrating the student's understanding of different styles, genres and traditions. A journal should be kept by each student to record the progress of each unit. All students will have to have their own SLR camera and be prepared to purchase film and photographic paper and other consumables. These will be available form the School Finance Office at discounted prices.
Areas of Study
Students will be required to work thematically showing independence and personal interpretation the themes set. The themes are designed to encourage students to investigate the following areas:
- Environment
- Portrait, Documentary or Photojournalism
- Observation, investigation and analysis of objects and images in the natural or man made world.
- Experimental imagery
Processes, Skills and Techniques
Students must demonstrate skills in all of the following:
- The ability to explore elements of visual language, line, form, colour, pattern and texture in the context of photography
- Respond to an issue, theme, concept or idea working to a brief
- An appreciation of viewpoint, depth of field and movement, time-based through such techniques as sequence or "frozen moment"
- The appropriate use of the camera, film, lenses, filters and lighting for work in their chosen area of photography
- An understanding of techniques relating to the developing and printing of photographic images, presentations, layout and mounting
Knowledge and Understanding
Students must show knowledge and understanding of:
- How ideas, feelings and meanings can be conveyed and interpreted in images, and artifacts created in the context of photography
- The historical and contemporary developments and the different styles and genres in photography
- How images and artifacts relate to social, environment and cultural and/or ethical contexts and to the time and place to which they were created.
- Continuity and change in different styles, genres and traditions relevant to photography
- The working vocabulary and specialist terminology which is relevant to photography
- The independence and motivation to produce their own work outside the classroom