Welcome to the Photography Department
2023 - 2024
Mrs Jessica Brock
Curriculum Leader
The Team:
Sarah Moss Second in Department Teacher
What is Photography and why is it important?
Photography is the art, application, and practice of creating durable images by recording light, either electronically by means of an image sensor, or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film.
Photographs are taken to highlight and document important aspects of our lives and context.
The art of editing allows us to use our imagination and creativity to manipulate and create outcomes that did not ever exsist.
When we look at the world that surrounds us, are eyes are bombard by visual delights and we document this by taking Photographs and capturing it on film. Whether that be for commercial, artistic or documentary purposes.
We teach Photography in school to expose students to discover their ability, skill, and enjoyment in the subject, so they can potentially develop into the next sports, wedding, product, or travel photographers to name a few career choices.
What do students learn in Photography?
In year 9 we start with the foundations of Photography: understanding the history of the camera, developing students' skills and knowledge of the functions of the camera and a focus on the composition elements of photography as well as studying a range of genres. We work on each formal element individually to build their knowledge and understanding and begin the journey of mastering these transferable skills when using varied materials, processes, and techniques. Students also expand their knowledge of different processes and techniques using Photoshop to creatively manipulate and edit their photographs.
In year 10 and 11, students develop these newfound skills as building block as the progress through the course.
Students are taught and encouraged to:
- Be engaged with artwork from diverse cultures and different eras.
- Form opinions and respond to artwork.
- Think conceptually about the work of others and their own outcomes.
- Make connections with other subjects and the ‘real world’ in the task that they are completing.
- Initiate innovative ideas.
- Express ideas in unique ways and form diverse perspectives.
- See mistakes as opportunities to learn.
- Problem solves through reasoning and understanding.
- Understand and appreciate where persistence can get you.
Summary of curriculum content
To view the Learning Journey for Photography please click here.
Challenge and support in Photography
- The Photography department set tasks that students believe are out of reach of their ability or skill range, but we know will be achievable through responsive teaching. We then build their confidence by breaking tasks down, modelling, teaching the tasks' success criteria, using peer and self-assessment, giving verbal, and written feedback, and providing lots of praise. When completing the task students realise, they can achieve so much more than they first believed they could.
- We challenge and expose our students to ideas and artwork that make them not just think about the aesthetics of what they are producing but also consider the concept of their work, whether it be spiritual, moral, social, or cultural; What do they want their audience to read into their work? How are they going to achieve this?
- We teach students that no idea is unachievable, this includes material or scale, if they are prepared to put in the time, research, practise into developing their ideas.
- In KS4 (Key Stage 4) we challenge students not to consider themselves students but have the mindset that they are Photographer who are trying to reach professional standards.
- We challenge students to consider Photography as a future career.
Developing Eggar’s Learners in Photography
How does the ways in which your subject is taught and assessed encourage students to be more creative, curious, persevering, resourceful and reflective?
- Art design and Crafts beautifully lends itself to teach students to build on life skills.
- While Photography can be as quick as pressing a button, the planning and preparation before the shoot can be at times, time consume and in depth, as can be the editing process. Students need to show commitment, and Perseverance, to be able to achieve a high standard of outcome. We teach students to be patient and to trust the process.
- As a department we ask students to develop their curiosity about the world. The content of our schemes of learning makes students question, think, and debate about spiritual, moral, social, and cultural issues that are appropriate to the area of study.
- We also motivate students to be curious about the materials and processes that they are using. We teach them how use materials but then often give them the opportunity to investigate different ways that the materials can be used building on their skills to be resourceful.
- We build students up with a bank of skills during year 7-9 so that they can utilise their mastery of varied materials, techniques, and processes, so that in year 10 and 11 they can progress their resourcefulness with greater independence.
- Art is the heart and soul of creativity, it allows freedom of expression, it gives students endless opportunities to be imaginative; to visualise the world in any which way they want to portray it and to develop these ideas as a piece of unique artwork.
How is Photography assessed?
In Key Stage 4 students work towards attaining a GCSE qualification in Photography. A broad range of skills and techniques are developed and explored; students work towards being fully independent in their practice.
Students strive to meet the four assessment objectives provided by the exam board for both coursework and exam. Student are given verbal and written feedback to guide them to meet the assessment objectives.
Learning beyond the classroom
Year 10
Lonson trip to Portrait and then Tate modern to develop ideas for their independent project. Trip should only cost the fee for a coach.
Year 9
Live online talk from the Artist Sarah Graham. This will include SMSC as she talks about how Art has helped her with Bipolar.
Home learning in Photography
In KS4 students will get weekly assignments that link to coursework that they are completing in the lesson. We have an open-door policy in Art and students can complete this work after school if they wish to use the school facilities to complete this.
Where can Photography lead?
The creative industries sector contributed £109bn to the UK economy in 2021. The links below will help open understand all the different career choices. The Prospects link will provide information about education, explanation of the role and salaries that can be earnt.