Photography

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Photography is an exciting and artistic subject where students are encouraged to develop creativity and express themselves through the use of a lens. Photography teaches you how to relate to and analyse the work of other photographers and to apply key techniques and styles to create some exciting and well composed photographs. 

A Level Photography Curriculum

Year 12 Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
Key Topic: Colour The Human Condition Symbolism in Still Life
New Knowledge:
Students are shown and taught how to develop a project from concept to final outcome.
Understand and analyse the work of a range of photographers; their purpose, and techniques.
Creating a creative response to colour within landscapes. 
Students are encouraged to continue to develop an independent project showing thorough connections and explorations of the theme.
Students will start to develop deeper meanings into their projects linking to social and moral issues.
Understand and analyse the work of a range of photographers; their purpose, and techniques
Students are encouraged to develop an independent and individual projects.
Students are encouraged to develop an independent and individual project that will lead to the mock exam.
Students work in exam conditions for 10 hours to produce a final outcome inspired by a photographer of their choice. Reflection on marks for mock exam prior to starting the self-directed project.
To experiment with emotion and colour symbolism.
Previous Knowledge Required:
  • Brainstorm ideas visually
  • To make decisions about a suitable photographer to influence their design and gain an understanding of that photographers purpose, techniques and symbolism. 
  • Experiment with a range of different camera and editing techniques.
  • To experiment with composition, space and lighting.
  • Develop the ability to make decisions and work through refining and modifying ideas/ processes independently to create personal and meaningful responses that realise students’ intentions.
  • Experiment with a range of different camera and editing techniques.
  • Understand and analyse the work of a range of photographers; their purpose, techniques and symbolism. 
  • Directing model how to pose to create certain emotions/atmosphere within an image. 
  • Studio lighting and the importance of lighting. 
  • Experiment with a range of different camera and editing techniques.
  • Understand and analyse the work of a range of artists; their purpose, techniques and symbolism. 
New Skills:
  • Taking a creative approach to the theme.
  • Learning how to lay out a sketchbook. 
  • Developing their analysis skills 
  • Students shown how to develop an independent project and the processes to achieve a successful narrative through a guided process.
  • Creating a unique final piece inspired by a photographer of their choice.
  • Developing their sketchbook skills 
  • Thinking deeply about their responses and what they are portraying within their photographs. 
  • Developing final piece expectations 
  • Symbolism within still life 
  • Studio set up for still life 
Links to the School Curriculum:
  • Art – analysing 
  • Textiles – analysing 
  • Art – analysing 
  • Textiles – analysing 
  • Ethics – body image 
  • Media – body image and analysis. 
  • Food technology – fruit and vegetables symbolism 
  • Art – paintings 
Independent Activities:
  • Visit photography galleries, events and exhibitions to see photography first hand and make connections with your own work. Evidence this in your sketchbook.
  • Those who are aiming for the highest grades need to work independently to produce more than the minimum amount of work which is that set by the class teacher. 
  • They should complete more pieces of recording; more development pieces; more pieces of refinement and use more photographer links as their work develops. 
  • They need to show a greater level of independence and a greater depth of contextual understanding in their artist links.
  • Visit photography galleries, events and exhibitions to see photography first hand and make connections with your own work. Evidence this in your sketchbook.
  • Those who are aiming for the highest grades need to work independently to produce more than the minimum amount of work which is that set by the class teacher. 
  • They should complete more pieces of recording; more development pieces; more pieces of refinement and use more photographer links as their work develops. 
  • They need to show a greater level of independence and a greater depth of contextual understanding in their artist links.
  • Those who are aiming for the highest grades need to work independently to produce more than the minimum amount of work which is that set by the class teacher. 
  • They should complete more pieces of recording; more development pieces; more pieces of refinement and use more photographer links as their work develops. 
  • They need to show a greater level of independence and a greater depth of contextual understanding in their artist links.
  • Visit photography galleries, events and exhibitions to see photography first hand and make connections with your own work. Evidence this in your sketchbook.
Web Links: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/art-and-design-h200-h600-from-2015/    
Year 13 Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
Key Topic: Self-Directed Project – Portfolio (Coursework) Related Study – Autumn Term Set Task – Spring Term
New Knowledge:
  • Selection of an appropriate theme by reflecting on strengths and weaknesses of Y12 work (with support from class teacher)
  • Consider a theme which relates to Portfolio project without overlapping photographers 
  • Create title and intention for study
  • Look at examples from previous students and put in rank order with explanations
  •  Look at OCR criteria for Set Task and reflect upon language used for each band.
  • Reflect upon mock exam results and what they learned from this experience.
 
 
Previous Knowledge Required:
  • Brainstorm of ideas with images
  • Recording skills exploring camera techniques.
  • Developed editing skills – layering
  • Photographer research and analysis of their work
  • Reflect on previous written analysis work from Year 12
  • Research chosen photographers – biographical information, themes, styles, media using a variety of different sources (internet, books, videos, direct contact with artist where possible)
  • Present this information in a PowerPoint to present to the rest of the group as it develops
  • Compare and contrast images by chosen photographers. 
  • Brainstorm ideas visually.
  • Begin to find photographers whose work inspires them that links to their theme.
  • Recording – using relevant camera techniques.
  • More in-depth research of relevant photographers to inspire and influence the development of ideas
  • Refinement of ideas
New Skills:
  • Making stronger links to photographers’ work and deeper level analyses
  • More thorough development and refinement of ideas.
  • Presentation of related study
  • Create copies of 2 pieces of work being analysed in the study to accompany the related study.
  • How to select a starting point
  • Presentation of exam prep
  • How time plan and manage time effectively during prep work and for the 15 hour Set Task​
Links to the School Curriculum:
  • English literature – written photographer analysis
  • Media – analysis

 

  • English literature – written analysis
    Media – analysis
  • Art
Independent Activities:
  • Visit photography galleries, events and exhibitions to see photography first hand and make connections with your own work. Evidence this in your sketchbook.
  • Those who are aiming for the highest grades need to work independently to produce more than the minimum amount of work which is that set by the class teacher. 
  • They should complete more pieces of recording; more development pieces; more pieces of refinement and use more photographer links as their work develops. 
  • They need to show a greater level of independence and a greater depth of contextual understanding in their artist links.
  • Visit photography galleries, events and exhibitions to see photography first hand and make connections with your own work. Evidence this in your sketchbook.
  •  Those who are aiming for the highest grades need to work independently to produce more than the minimum amount of work which is that set by the class teacher. 
  • They should complete more pieces of recording; more development pieces; more pieces of refinement and use more photographer links as their work develops.
  • They need to show a greater level of independence and a greater depth of contextual understanding in their artist links.
  •   Those who are aiming for the highest grades need to work independently to produce more than the minimum amount of work which is that set by the class teacher. 
  • They should complete more pieces of recording; more development pieces; more pieces of refinement and use more photographer links as their work develops. 
  • They need to show a greater level of independence and a greater depth of contextual understanding in their artist links.
  • Visit photography galleries, events and exhibitions to see photography first hand and make connections with your own work. Evidence this in your sketchbook.
Web Links: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/art-and-design-h200-h600-from-2015/