Photography

Photography is an exciting medium and this course will teach you to look at the world in a creative way.  The creative potential stimulated in this course will enable you to apply creative thinking to any other course that you do.  Thus, in this respect it is valuable not only as a course in itself but also to other courses.

Throughout the course, students will learn about a variety of photographic media, techniques and processes including hands-on experimentation with traditional and digital media.  Students will develop an awareness of critical analyses of artists' work, helping to develop their own ideas through awareness, practical application and written reflections.

Students will use sketchpads and workbooks to demonstrate all practical learning, ideas development and critical analysis.  This coursework earns marks over a long period resulting in a final grade, which takes the pressure away from traditional two hour examinations.

Tuition is enjoyable, structured, friendly and supportive, resulting in high-grade achievements on this course.  Class sizes are small so that you can receive a lot of help with your work and so that darkroom equipment does not have to be shared.  Although the emphasis at the beginning of the course is on traditional photographic techniques, you will also have the opportunity to use digital photography and Photoshop applications.

Photography develops a wide range of skills, which will be useful in university applications and future careers.  Photography may offer a highly creative and hands-on alternative to other subjects you may be studying at A level.

AS Units 1 and 2

Portfolio: comprises one or two projects with supporting written work in the form of a journal.  You can choose to work in areas such as portraiture, documentary, photojournalism, environmental photography, still life or experimental imagery.

Externally Set Assignment: a choice of five projects set by the examination board.  You will have a preparatory period of eight weeks leading to a five hour supervised practical.

A2 Units 3 and 4

Personal Investigation: based on an idea, concept, issue or theme.  This is supported by 1000-3000 words of a critical, analytical nature and supporting written work relating to your practical work.

Externally Set Assignment: a choice of eight projects set by the examination board.  You will have a preparatory period of eight weeks leading to fifteen hours of supervised practical.

How will I be assessed?

Coursework and external assignments are internally marked then moderated by an external examiner.

Do I need to have studied Photography before?

No, but you must be willing to spend time taking photographs and should try to visit exhibitions.

Who will teach me?

Lisa Byrne graduated with a Masters in Photography from the Royal College of Art in 2007.  She has a teaching qualification from the University of Greenwich and a Fine Art degree from Middlesex University.  Lisa Byrne has lectured in Fine Art and Photography over the last twelve years, teaching on degree, foundation and photography A level courses.  Ms Byrne is dedicated to getting the best out of her students in a structured and enjoyable manner.  Maintaining her own art practice, Lisa Byrne has exhibited internationally including a recent exhibition in the Guggenheim museums worldwide for their inaugural, "Biennial of Creative Video".  Her work is held in a number of collections and has been exhibited at international art fairs.  Ms Byrne says: "My art practice informs my teaching and my students benefit greatly from this."

Which subjects complement Photography?

Photography is a versatile subject and complements a range of arts disciplines such as film studies, media studies and fine art.  In addition, the creative impetus which photography gives can help with problem-solving in all subjects.  

Which careers can Photography lead to?

Photography could lead to academic or vocational degrees relating to press photography, photojournalism, fine art, editing, fashion photography or styling, the film industry, forensic science and many more.

Click on the photo gallery at the side of this page to see examples of our students' work.