Areas of Study.
Candidates are required to work in one or more area(s) of Photography such as those listed below.
They may explore overlapping areas and combinations of areas.
• portraiture, documentary and/or photo-
• environmental photography
• experimental photography
• working from objects, still life and/or from the natural world
Candidates may use digital and/or chemical (silver halide) techniquesto produce images.
Knowledge, skills and understanding.
Candidates should adopt an integrated approach to the critical,practical and theoretical
study of art, craft and design which includes first-
Candidates must show knowledge and understanding of:
a. how ideas, feelings and meanings are conveyed in images and artefacts in their chosen area(s) of photography;
b. a range of processes and variety of ways of working related to the chosen area(s) of photography, including, where appropriate,information and communication technology and the use of digital
Imaging;
c. how images and artefacts relevant to their chosen area(s) of study relate to their social, historical and cultural context;
d. a variety of approaches, methods and intentions and the contribution of contemporary practitioners and others from different times and cultures to continuity and change in their chosen area(s) of photography.
Candidates will be expected to demonstrate skills in the context of their chosen area(s) of study:
• making appropriate use of colour, line, tone, shape, texture,pattern and form;
• showing in their work appreciation of viewpoint, composition,depth of field and movement;
• responding to an idea, issue, concept, theme or brief;
• making appropriate use of the camera, lenses, filters and lighting, film and/or digital techniques;
• using appropriate techniques related to developing and/or downloading, image manipulation, printing, presentation, layout and mounting;
• providing evidence of the use of safe working practices
Mrs Symons’ classes @GCSE will major in portraiture
Assessment Objectives
6.1 Introduction The Assessment Objectives represent those qualities which can be
demonstrated in candidates’ work and which can be measured for the purposes of assessment.
6.2 Candidates will be expected to demonstrate a response to all of the assessment objectives in each component of the examination. They
are equally weighted.
Candidates will be required to demonstrate their ability to:
AO1 record observations, experiences and ideas in forms that are appropriate to intentions;
AO2 analyse and evaluate images, objects and artefacts showing understanding of context;
AO3 develop and explore ideas using media, processes and resources, reviewing, modifying and refining work as it progresses;
AO4 present a personal response, realising intentions and making informed connections with the work of others.
Quality of Written Communication
There is no requirement in the Scheme of Assessment for Art and Design for candidates to produce written work as part of the
Coursework or the Controlled Test.
However, where candidates produce extended written material in English, they are expected to:
• present relevant information in a form that suits its purposes;
• ensure that text is legible and that spelling, punctuation and grammar are accurate, so that meaning is clear.
Quality of written communication will not be assessed in either component of this examination.
Photography is defined as:
embracing images created by digital as well as chemical (silver halide)means, and by a combination of the two
.
Candidates should explore relevant images, artefacts and resources relating to Photography and a wider range of art, craft and design,
from the past and from recent times, including European and non-
This should be integral to the investigating and making process.
Their responses to these examples must be shown through practical and critical activities which demonstrate the candidates. understanding of different styles, genres and traditions.
Candidates should be aware of the four assessment objectives to be
demonstrated in the context of the content and skills presented and of the importance of process as well as product.
Underpinning their work should be the use of sketchbooks/
workbooks/journals.
There is no specific requirement for candidates
to demonstrate drawing skills in this option unless they wish to.
Candidates may use chemical (silver halide) and/or digital techniques
to produce images.
15.2 Areas of study
Candidates are required to work in one or more area(s) of
Photography, such as those listed below. They may explore
overlapping areas and combinations of areas.
• portraiture, documentary and/or photo-
• landscape photography (working from the urban, rural and/or coastal environment)
• working from objects, still life or from the natural world
• experimental imagery
5.3 Skills and techniques
Candidates will be expected to demonstrate skills, as defined in
Section 9.3 of this specification, in the context of their chosen area(s)
of Photography.
Candidates will be required to demonstrate skills inall of the following:
• the ability to explore elements of visual language, line, form,colour, pattern and texture in the context of Photography;
• responding to an issue, theme, concept or idea or working to a brief;
• an appreciation of viewpoint, composition, depth of field and movement; time-
• the appropriate use of the camera, film, lenses, filters and lighting for work in their chosen area of Photography;
• an understanding of techniques related to the developing andprinting of photographic images, presentation, layout and mounting.
15.4 Knowledge and understanding
Candidates must show knowledge and understanding of:
• how ideas, feelings and meanings can be conveyed and interpreted in images and artefacts created in the context of their chosen area(s) of Photography;
• the historical and contemporary developments and different styles and genres in their chosen area(s) of Photography;
• how images and artefacts relate to social, environmental, cultural and/or ethical contexts, and to the time and place in 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 their chosen area(s) of Photography.
Staff will offer a complete overview of activities and assessment at the onset of the course. Below is the syllabus for As from the AQA website, which can be visited here
the great Irish Photographer
was desperately fond of the sketchbook, he'd never take a snap of a horse 'till he explored all the possibilities in his note book.
Of course he took the fotos in code,so we never could develop the negatives....
