Photography
Exam board: OCR
Qualification type: GCSE
Course code: J171
Contact: Mr Oprych – aoprych@retfordoaks-ac.org.uk
This GCSE is designed to bring art and design through the medium of photography. Students will develop their artistic skills and expand their creativity, imagination and independence using photography and ICT manipulation to express themselves. Students will analyse artists and write about their interest around the subject matter. The artist or designers work will directly inspire the work that students produce using ICT resources and Adobe Photoshop software. The course is good preparation for progression to art and design A Level.
What will be studied?
Art and design portfolio 60% (120 marks)
Students will produce a portfolio of work showing their personal response to either a starting point, brief, scenario, or stimulus. This will take the form of a portfolio of images developed by the student.
Art and design OCR-set task 40% (80 marks)
The early release paper will be issued in January and will provide students with a range of written and visual starting points, briefs, scenarios and stimuli, from these one must be selected upon which to base a personal response. Students will be expected to create a product based on the starting point under controlled conditions.
Why study photography?
Photography students will have the opportunity to work in a wide variety of media and create a range of work using photo manipulation software. They will learn new techniques with the freedom to select their own inspiration and creative journey. In addition to lesson time where staff will guide them, students will be expected to work independently and focus their efforts on creating interesting and exciting personal responses. This is a fantastic choice for students wishing to pursue any career which requires creativity, confidence in expressing ideas and opinions, or problem solving.
Assessment structure
The early release paper is issued to candidates on or after 1 January with an unlimited preparatory period. The set task worth 40% of the qualification is internally
assessed and moderated by OCR.
Career opportunities
• Advertising
• Media
• Photography
• Film and animation
• Forensic artist
