St Philomena’s Catholic High School for Girls

Year 12

A Level Photography

A Post 16 Subject Guide 2017

A Level Photography

A Level Photography – lens and Light Based Media is an Art and Design

syllabus which students produce practical and critical/contextual work

in one or more areas including

portraiture, landscape photography, still-life photography,

documentary photography, photo-journalism, experimental

imagery, photographic installation, video, television and film.

It is a two year course with two units:

Component 1 Personal Investigation

Component 2 Externally Set Assignment

The course is for those who what to take Visual Arts further and extend

their practical study in photography. More in-depth academic

research into the work and concepts of artists and photographers.

Students will be assessed on four assessment objectives.

● AO 1 Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations

informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical

and critical understanding.

● AO2 Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials,

techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work

develops.

● AO3 Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions,

reflecting critically on work and progress.

● AO4 Present a personal and meaningful response that realises

intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between

visual and other elements

Students will produce a folio of their own photographic art work along

with sketchbooks to use for University and Higher education

applications in Art.

In year 13 Photography students will select a theme of their choice to

focus on for the coursework. They will research relevant artists, visual

imagery and produce responses for that theme.

Coursework

Component 1 covers up to 40 weeks of years 12 and 13. You will start

the Autumn Term with set tasks to develop and build your skills and

understanding. These will be creating Photographic art work based on

location photography, portraits, abstract and distortion of images.

Various projects will be set throughout the year. Deadlines will be given

for each project and you must work to these. Careful planning of work

schedules is extremely important and you must get into the habit of

organising your work and your time straight away.

Sometimes you will work on one project only in class lessons but at

other times you may work on two or more. Homework will accompany

these.

As the course develops you will evolve your own photo work from that

starting point in response to your personal interests.

You will produce a wide range of outcomes using Digital presentations,

printouts, books, projections, collage and experimental media.

You will produce supporting studies in many forms they may be a

combination of workbooks books, large scale studies, mounted test

pieces, and online blogs.

You will also explore the work of a range of photographers. Gallery

visits and independent research will support your work. You will be

encouraged to make contextual links to your work. Written responses

and extended writing will be used to show your understanding.

In Year 13 you will need to produce a personal written investigation

that is linked to your practical work which is between 1000 and 3000

words of continuous prose.

Your Camera

A Camera should be used all the time and every day if possible. For

example:

1. In art studios, around the school grounds (you are particularly

fortunate in your surroundings at St Philomena’s), The school

buildings, architectural details, at home, at work, on the bus or train,

in your garden, photos of friends, family, yourself, your possessions

2. Practice new techniques such as depth of field, focus and

viewpoints, shutter speed, using flash, studio lighting, available

lighting

3. Photography only improves with regular practice, hard looking and

constant exploration of the things around you. Look at objects,

figures, landscapes from all angles, sometimes high levels sometimes

low.

4. Do not be afraid to brave the elements.

Photography Work Journal

You should be able to use your workbook to develop and record your

ideas continuously. They will be used as part of your coursework and

will be invaluable at university interviews as they will tell the interviewer

about you, your ideas, your interests in the subject and dedication to it.

Workbooks will be inspected regularly by staff. Use them in the

following ways:

1. As a visual diary. Keep postcards, scraps of materials, anything you

wish to store away for future reference. The list is endless.

2. Explaining and annotating your own images include: Camera

settings (Shutter speed, Aperture, ISO, Lenses, Equipment, Lighting)

Camera techniques and directions.

3. Writing annotations and any ideas you may have for future themes

and topics. Sketching quick drawings and diagrams

4. Do not be afraid to explore an idea in depth over and over, for as

long as it interests you. Remember a workbook is not just for “neat

pages” but for practice and making mistakes.

5. When you are working on a project or theme in class. Explore all

aspects in your workbook. And adapt it to your own ideas.

Do not rely on homework set by your teachers.

Your Online Blog:

Use Wordpress to create your own blog as a log of your developments

in A level Photography.

This will be viewed by your tutors and examiners. You could even show

it at university Interview.

It will enable you to present your work and ideas without needing to

print everything out first.

Like your workbook You should be able to use your blog to develop

and record your ideas continuously.

You do not need to duplicate your blog in your sketchbook but it will

provide more evidence ot your research developments and ability.

It should contain:

1. Thumbnails and of your own images:

2. Artists and Photographers’ images. Don’t forget to analyse and

explain these to articulate your understanding.

3. As a digital visual diary, anything you wish to store away for future

reference. The list is endless.

4. Writing annotations and any ideas you may have for future themes

and topics. Sketching quick drawings and diagrams

5. Do not be afraid to explore an idea in depth over and over, for as

long as it interests you.

6. When you are working on a project or theme in class. Explore all

aspects in your blog and adapt it to your own ideas.

7. Explaining and annotating your own images include: Camera

settings (Shutter speed, Aperture, ISO, Lenses, Equipment, Lighting)

Camera techniques and directions.

Workbook’s and blogs ...continued

Students need to have produced workbook pages that display a high

level of visual literacy (… that look great!) in terms of things like the

layout of pages and range of surface qualities.

• Students need to have established detailed analysis of both their

own work and work of photographers (or other artists/ designers).

• Students need to present all the photographs that they have

created and show how they relate to work that they have studied.

• Students need to record a ‘journey’ that they go on, concluding

with some outcomes (portfolio prints and a book of pictures).

Homework

This is set regularly and must be handed in at the stated times. You

homework will mainly relate to class work and will show work of a high

standard of technical ability, and that a maximum of care and effort

have been taken. It will involve different types of photography as well

as exploration of a variety of media and sometimes critical, historical

and contemporary research. Your home work can be submitted at

your tutor directs but can include in your workbook, print outcomes,

Digital documents and on your blog.

As the course develops students become more responsible for

planning and setting their own independent work completed out of

lessons.

Set homework should be carried out in your sketchbooks unless

otherwise requested.

The minimum time spent on homework per week should be 5 hours.

ANALYSING SKETCHBOOK WORK

The Do’s and Don’ts (these rules help if enforced at the start to establish

presentation standards).

Do’s:

● Students must always analyse the material on the page.

Students are only allowed to fill up a page with one image

if it has been experimented with on a smaller scale on

adjacent pages.

● Students must write about the development of their ideas

around their work but should avoid having a whole page of

text alone. Text could include word association lists, spider

charts and well presented

● Students must not stick any internet images or scans of

other peoples work into their workbook without properly

referencing the source.

● Students must not stick any internet images into their books

that pixilate because of their low resolution.

● Students must not allow odd gaps to occur on a page.

● Students must not limit themselves to one technique or

material when experimenting with a shoot.

● Students are not allowed to tear a page out of their

workbook without their teacher’s permission.

● RELEVANT USE OF ARTIST REFERENCE

● The key to good art/photography teaching is having a

broad overview of a wide range of photographers, artists

and designers.

● A good Art Department should encourage all styles and

approaches – from figurative to abstract to conceptual to

journalistic.

10 things to do for each photo shoot - IMPORTANT!

(Aim to have this cycle repeated 3 or 4 times. Work should be

mounted densely but with enough space for all images to be

seen clearly).

1. Aim of shoot, What is your plan?

2. Index/contact sheet - annotate results

3. Sum up strengths (where I have achieved my aims)

and/or weaknesses (things about the images that

suggest I should have another go). Also consider

opportunities of shoot (things I hadn’t expected, but

suggest potential future work).

4. Analysis of some shots in detail.

5. Shots adjusted in Photoshop levels/ colour etc. and

assessment including a print screen of stages in

Photoshop.

6. Show possible cropping of some pictures and assess

the difference it makes.

7. Compare your photos to those of a studied

photographer.

8. Print on various media and assess (photo paper, shiny

material, textured papers, printed material, canvas etc)

9. Final evaluation of shoot and a plan for your next shoot.

10. Assess the need to look at another photographer

- Consider:

a) subject matter

b) Photographic technique

c) Presentational technique

- Ideas for each of these could come from different

photographers and artists.

Study Periods

Set aside fixed study periods or after school sessions on your

weekly timetable to work on either homework or adding to

your class work. These should be extended periods of time for

example at least 2 lessons or 90 min. Students can work in the

art studios or the sixth form study room. Art teachers may well

be available to make suggestions and give advice.

Assessment

You will have your weekly homework assessed. Extended

outcomes will also be assessed during the year. You will also

be asked to hand in all your work for your coursework or Exam

work for a review. During this time you will be asked to

present all of your work undertaken in both lesson and

homework and your work will be assessed against the

assessment objectives.

During Assessment Weeks you will be asked to produce MS

Publisher Portfolio pages of your outcomes and your

sketchbook demonstrating what you have learnt.

From March–June in Year 12 you will develop a project in

response to one of the set starting points. This will include

Developing ideas in response to Artists and

Photographers. Experimenting with a range of

techniques and practical processes.

Visually recording from observation.

Realising Outcomes

Following the preparatory period, students must complete 10

hours of unaided, supervised time.

Enrichment Activities and Portfolio Building

There are many courses run by providers outside of school. All

of these will enhance your ability and understanding and

enrich your coursework portfolio. Take advantage of these

opportunities. When applying for higher education courses

having a broad portfolio that shows you are fully committed

to your work and new experiences will set you above other

students.

A Level Art and Photography Trip to St Ives – 8th- 10th November 2017

This 3 day/2 night trip offers a NEW opportunity for A Level Art and

Photography Students to visit the Eden Project, the new extended and

refurbished Tate St Ives Galleries and the Barbara Hepworth Museum

and Sculpture Gardens. Students will also take part in an Artists led

Workshop at the St Ives Society of Artists.

This visit will extend students visual recording, photography and

contextual understanding which will inspire ideas and earn them marks

for Assessment Objectives 1 and 3. This visit will be part of their mock

exam Art and Photography project.

The trip will take place from Wednesday 8th to Friday 10th November

2017. Students will travel by executive coach to The Eden Project

where we will visit the centre and stay at the YHA Eden Project Hostel

in shared rooms with private facilities. This will be on a full board basis

(breakfast, packed lunches and evening meals at the Hostel are

included)

The cost of the trip is £188.00

Study Visits

You should get into the habit of regularly attending galleries

and museums in your own time to enhance your

understanding. Try to visit the major galleries as well as smaller

venues. Some shows are paid shows and this will give you the

opportunity to study an artist or theme in detail. Keep up to

date with websites of what is going on. Many collections have

events for young people especially to attend. Art colleges

often have shows, most notably in June when their students

have end of year exhibitions attending these will give you a

feel for what higher education in art is like and you will be

able to make links to your own interests. At college interviews

students are often asked what exhibitions have been too

recently.

Plan to regularly visit interesting locations to take pictures to

add to your portfolio. Firstly look up how other photographers

have captured the same location. What camera angles and

viewpoints.

Equipment

You will need:

During the course access to a Digital SLR camera and an

occasional use of a Traditional 35mm film SLR camera would

be extremely useful.

The school has some bookable Digital cameras that students

can use for a limited period.

Digital SLR Cameras typically are sold with a zoom lens

Lens, charger and SD card.

Other camera accessories could include:

Tripod,

Camera case.

A sheet of white cloth

A sheet of black cloth

Stationery equipment:

A white paper A4 sketchbook

Set of pencils

Paint brushes

Double sided tape

Sellotape

Highlighter pens

Masking tape

A4 Sketchbook

Scissors

Glue

Craft knife to be kept safely at home and cutting mat

Sharpener

Good Quality Rubber

Tracing paper

Access to a colour printer

Memory Stick and or a SDcard

Essential Books

It is recommended that you have these art books to support your

studies:

The Photography Book.

ISBN-13: 9780714844886

A How to digital photography book. Please choose one of the

following.

Suggestions are:

The Digital Photography Handbook

by Doug Harman

ISBN 9781780875538

A complete Guide to digital photography

by Ian Farrell

ISBN 9780857385482

Digital Photography Step by Step

By Tom Ang

ISBN 9781405348195

Year 12 AS Photography

Summer Project

Preparation Work for September has 5 parts.

1. What do these words mean in relation to photography?:

Explain in a short display in your work journal.

ISO, Shutter speed, Aperture, Focus, Exposure, DSLR,

White balance, Depth of field, Focal length

The formal elements

Line, Tone, Shape, Form, Pattern, Space, Colour, Texture

2.Create a body of photographs

which investigate the formal

elements, show that you understand

what they mean in relation to making

a photograph. (Pick three to develop

further in your work book.)

Start your blog and present two

portfolios of between 8 and 20

Photographic digital images on a

theme. It is suggested you do some

research of camera techniques and

types of images before you start.

3 Find a photographer pre 1920s and create an analysis page

of their work.

Find a photographer from 1920-60 create a page of analysis

of their work

Find a contemporary photographer. Create a page of

analysis from their work. Present all of your work in a work

book. Bring to your first photography lesson.

4 .Make a visit to a London art exhibition:

● National Portrait Gallery

● Photographers Gallery

● There are galleries of Photography at the V and A

Museum and Tate Modern and Tate Britain.

● Other Galleries that show photography in London:

o Photo fusion Gallery – Brixton

o Photographers Gallery – off Oxford Street

o Getty Images Gallery – Mayfair

o Foto8 gallery EC1

Write up your experience of the exhibition, Explain one image

in detail.

5.Investigate photography How to Tutorials such as Gavin

Hoey at http://www.gavtrain.com/

Complete three tutorials to learn new picture taking and

digital editing techniques. Record and present the images

you have completed.

Art and University Applications

At St Philomena’s we have a high success rate of securing

places for students at Art college and university. We will

put on a program of activities to support your own

research in to courses and applications. Information and

resources for application are on

https://sites.google.com/stphils.org.uk/art/home/careers-

and-university-in-art-and-design?authuser=1

After A level most students complete a Pre Degree one

year Foundation course at a London college in order to

develop skills further and help students choose which art

and design field they want to specialise in. Other routes

direct to Degree courses and Higher National Diplomas are

available.

Component 1 Personal Investigation

60% of A level – internally set and marked, externally moderated

During Year 12 you will be undertaking a series of technical

projects to help you experience a range of photo materials and

techniques to get you started.

Work will start with picture taking and continue with all materials

and processes available. From September till December you will

complete a series of workshops developing your visual language.

Assessments of your folder will be completed in October,

December

In January and February you will work sequentially through a series

of ideas and outcomes, in response to a theme such as

“Exploration and Discovery” “Journeys” or “performance”

towards a well considered and thoroughly researched

conclusions to the theme. You will complete a Timed Test

outcome during January.

The work you present must show in depth coverage of each of

the assessment objectives. Your final submission will include a work

journal containing evidence of research, analysis, exploration,

development, outcomes and visual and written evaluation.

During Year 13 the Personal Investigation continues. You will select

a practical investigation, into an idea, issue, concept or theme,

supported by written material.

You will research relevant artists and photographers and

develop ideas.

You will experiment with a range of techniques and practical

processes.

You will Record and capture a wide range of images.

You will Present a range of realised outcomes.

You will produce a Written Essay between 1000 and 3000 words

long setting out an argument on an aspect of photography that

you are interested in.

Your Personal Investigation is submitted at the end of February of

Year 13.

Component 2 Externally Set Assignment

40% of A level - externally set including 15 hours unaided work. Internally marked,

externally moderated

The exam is usually set in February. You will have a period to

undertake preparatory work before your 15 hour exam at the

beginning of May during which you will produce an unaided

timed piece. You will be building on your knowledge, skills and

understanding gained from your experiences in unit 1.

In Component 2 you will show the ability to:

1. Develop ideas that link to artists and photographers.

2. Experiment and develop your skills to produce skilful practical

studies.

3. Record from observation with photography.

4. Realise your intentions by producing outcomes that show

your response to your theme.

Themes set in recent years have been:

“Image and Text”

“Drawing with Light”

“Mixed media”

“The Urban Environment”

“Multiple Imagery”

“Issues of Concern”

“Moving figures”

“Everyday objects ”

Component 2 is submitted During May.

The Examination Exhibition

During May you will put on display all your art work for

Component 1 coursework and for Component 2 The

Externally Set Assignment. It will be displayed in the art studios

on a set wall or board. You will be expected to display all

your outcomes, a folder of artwork and workbooks. The

exhibition will be externally examined by the exam board.

The Ideal Student

1. Spends time regularly developing their work. This could

be a daily time to think and reflect upon their work. It

could also be a number of extended set periods of time

you set for yourself every week to work on your visual

images (2 or more hours). You should spend at least as

much time on your homework as you do in lessons.

2. Takes advantage of additional opportunities such as

workshops, courses run out of school. These will build your

skills, contribute to your coursework and extend your

portfolio. In future years workshops and skills you have

completed now will make you more noticeable to

colleges, universities and employers.

3. Will be able to show independence of thought and be

able to develop their own ideas.

4. Will look after their own work and store it safely so that it

can be easily found for examination assessment and

college portfolios.

5. Will make connections with other subjects and interests

outside of lessons in order to enrich their understanding.

6. Does not settle for second best.

7. Will regularly visit galleries, museums and art colleges. This

will develop their experience of the visual arts first hand.

8. Will read around the subject with art books and

publications. Reading authors’ critical writing about artists

will extend your own ability and support your critical

studies work and essay writing in art.

9. Will be able to explore, explain and develop their ideas

with other students and a range of teachers.

10. Will realise the importance and value of using a

range of artists work, ideas techniques and practical

approaches in their own work.

Art Department Expectations

Now that you are in Year 12 you wish to be treated as young

adults. The teachers will mentor you throughout your course

but you are expected to fulfil the targets that are set. You

must:

1. Arrive to all lessons on time. If you are late expect to

make up the time during study lessons.

2. Do not make appointments during lesson time. You will

be expected to attend all lessons without expectation.

3. You are expected to act with maturity during lessons. Art

or Photography is not social time.

4. The Art Studios: These rooms are for all students. It is a

privilege and not a right. You must clear up after

yourselves, paint and brushes etc. No other students are

allowed in this area at any time.

5. Photography should be a subject that you love, that

excites you and that inspires you every day. Do not settle

for second best.

I agree to the terms above. I understand that if I have

problems during the course I should talk to my teachers

immediately.

Signed ____________________________________

Print Name ____________________________________

Date _____________

Using past GCSE coursework as A level work is cheating. Any

student who uses past work as part of their current work will be

disqualified.

I _________________________________________ understand that I cannot use my

GCSE coursework for my A level course. I understand that if I

do I will be disqualified from the course.

Signed ________________________________________

Date _____________