A Level Photography

: A Level Photography

Exam Board: OCR

Further information available from: Mrs Van Daalen

Course requirements: Art Level 5, or, ICT Level 5, or, any D & T Level 5 (if studied at GCSE).

In Photography students follow a course similar in structure to A Level and GCSE Art. They produce a coursework project (portfolio) worth 60% of their final mark and sit an externally set exam worth 40%.

Both the coursework portfolio and the exam are marked using the same Assessment Objectives:

AO1: (25%) Develop ideas through artist’s research and appropriate responses

AO2: (25%) Experiment with Photoshop to edit and develop images

AO3: (25%) Record ideas and observations through lens based media

AO4: (25%) Present a final image or images developed from work carried out for the other three

Assessment Objectives

Related Study Mark: Coursework only supporting written study of 1000-3000 words (for coursework marks are out of 20% for the 4 AO’s above and the written study).

For this students produce a body of work that takes the form of a sketchbook supported by an A3 portfolio of their own images. They explore an idea or theme developing work in a way that reflects their personal interests or strengths until they reach a final outcome. Work produced should satisfy the Assessment Objectives above and demonstrate that they have researched and responded to photographers relevant to their theme, experimented with their images and objects through photography and then produced a relevant final piece. In Year 13 the student’s coursework portfolio is supported by a 1000-3000 word personal study.

Controlled Assignment

The exam takes the same form as GCSE Art. Students will be issued with an early release paper in February from which they will select a title/starting point to develop ideas from. They will have time to produce preparation work that satisfies the first 3 AO’S (just as they have done for their coursework) before they begin their exam. With Photography, students will spend their exam editing one (or a series) of their own images selected as a final piece using Photoshop.

The A Level exam is 15 hours long typically split into a series of sittings of up to 5 hours. As in other subject areas exam conditions are observed. The focus in the exam is to produce a final outcome that satisfies AO4. Exams are likely to begin towards the middle of April and finish the middle of May although exact timings may vary. Coursework deadlines will coincide with final exam deadlines.

A Level Photography students will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of ideas and develop skills in studio, documentary and landscape/architecture photography. They will learn about contemporary photographers and develop relevant industry skills in both the use of software packages and studio lighting equipment.