THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE IS TAKEN FRON THE AQA EXAM BOARD WEBSITE. IT OUTLINES THE SUBJECT CONTENT THAT GCSE WILL COMPRISE OF. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. COMPONENT 1 REFERS TO ALL COURSEWORK PRODUCED PRIOR TO THE DATE, THAT THE FINAL EXAM STARTING POINTS ARE ISSUED TO STUDENTS. THIS WILL USUALLY INCLUDE ALL YEAR 10 WORK AND AUTuMN TERM YEAR 11. COMPONENT 2REFERS TO THE FINAL EXAM PREPARATORY WORK, AS WELL AS THE WORK PRODUCED IN THE 10 HOUR TIMED ELEMENT. ALL THE WORK PRODUCED FROM YEAR 10 ONWARDS IS EXAM WORK AS THIS IS A COURSEWORK BASED SUBJECT. THERE IS ALSO A LINK TO THE AQA ASSESSMENT MARKING CRITERIA HERE.
SUBJECT CONTENT
Photography is defined here as the practice of producing images using light-sensitive materials such as photographic film, or digital methods of development and production to create static or moving images. Areas of study In Component 1 and Component 2students are required to work in one or more area(s) of photography, such as those listed below:
portraiture
location photography
studio photography
experimental imagery
installation
documentary photography
photo-journalism
moving image: film, video and animation
fashion photography.
They may explore overlapping areas and combinations of areas.
Knowledge, understanding and skills Students must develop and apply the knowledge, understanding and skills specified in the Subject content to realise personal intentions relevant to photography and their selected area(s) of study. The following aspects of the knowledge, understanding and skills are defined in further detail to ensure students’ work is clearly focused and relevant to photography.
Knowledge and understanding The way sources inspire the development of ideas, relevant to photography including:
how sources relate to historical, contemporary, social, cultural and issues-based contexts and external considerations such as those associated with the cultural industries and client-oriented requirements
how ideas, themes, subjects and feelings can inspire creative responses informed by different styles, genres and aesthetic considerations and/or an individual's distinctive view of the world.
The ways in which meanings, ideas and intentions relevant to photography can be communicated include the use of:
figurative and non-figurative forms, image manipulation, close up, and imaginative interpretation
visual and tactile elements such as:
colour
line
form
tone
texture
shape
pattern
composition
scale
sequence
surface
contrast.
Skills Within the context of photography, students must demonstrate the ability to:
use photographic techniques and processes, appropriate to students’ personal intentions, for example:
lighting
viewpoint
aperture
depth of field
shutter speed and movement
use of enlarger
chemical and/or digital processes
use media and materials, as appropriate to students' personal intentions, for example:
film
photographic papers
chemicals appropriate to darkroom practices
digital media, programs and related technologies
graphic media for purposes such as storyboarding, planning and constructing shoots.