COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course allows candidates to develop knowledge and understanding of photographic media and camera techniques and processes when developing their creative practice.
Candidates learn how social, cultural, historical, and scientific influences impact on photographers’ work and practice.
Candidates demonstrate technical photographic skills and show personal, creative responses when photographing a variety of subjects. They have opportunities to develop personal autonomy and critical-thinking skills, and learn to evaluate their own photographic work and practice.

The course encourages candidates to be inspired and challenged by visually representing their personal thoughts and ideas through the medium of photography. An integrated approach to learning means candidates plan, develop and produce creative and technically proficient photographs.
Candidates develop skills that are valuable for learning, life and work. The course allows them to broaden their skills base and to widen their horizons regarding the range of vocations available to them.
The aims of the course are for candidates to:
 communicate personal thoughts, feelings and ideas using photography
 develop technical and creative skills through using photographic media, techniques and processes
 develop knowledge and understanding of a range of photographic practices
 develop skills in problem solving, critical thinking and reflective practice
 develop an understanding of the impact of social, cultural, historical, and scientific influences on photographers’ work and practice
 become critically self-reflective autonomous learners

The course has an integrated approach to learning. It combines practical learning activities that are underpinned by knowledge and understanding of photography.
Candidates learn how to plan and carry out practical photographic work. They investigate selected photographers’ work and practice and explain how external influences impact on these. They use this understanding of photographers and their work when developing their own personal approaches to photography. They learn and apply a range of image-making techniques. Candidates develop their creative problem-solving skills as they resolve visual and technical problems. They also reflect on and evaluate the effectiveness of their practice and the qualities of their photographic work.

Skills, knowledge and understanding for the course

The following provides a broad overview of the subject skills, knowledge and understanding developed in the course:
 applying knowledge and understanding of the properties of light and image formation
 applying knowledge and understanding of camera controls and a range of photographic techniques and processes
 investigating and analysing the major historical, scientific, social, and cultural factors influencing photographers and their work
 producing investigative research for photography, and planning, shooting, printing and developing photographs
 exploring and experimenting with a range of photographic media, manipulation techniques and processes
 producing and presenting creative and technically proficient photographs
 effectively managing and storing photographic images
 critical self-reflecting and evaluating by candidates of their work and practice, and the photographic work of others