In a world saturated by imagery A level photography at the Sixth Form College Farnborough will teach you through practical and theoretical discovery how to:

• Learn, read and interpret different types of imagery
• Recognize the codes and conventions of photographic genres and pictorial styles
• How to respond to target audiences
• Question the validity of images, how do photographs lie?
• Utilise semiotics, signs and symbols in image creation
• Create visually alluring images that skillfully utilise compositional techniques
• Confidently work with professional digital cameras
• Recognize the creative possibilities of post camera image production using Adobe Photoshop and other creative cloud applications
• Use specialist professional lighting equipment, both in studio and on location
• Work in a traditional black and white darkroom, offering the opportunity to use ‘analogue’ film cameras and processing techniques
• Experiment with traditional colour film processing techniques and digital scanning methods
• Explore various physical manipulation techniques and production methods
• Further image capturing techniques with moving image and animation
• Realise creative possibilities by presenting work in an appropriate form using professional printers, magazines and digital applications
• Respond to stimuli in a creative and meaningful manner, recognizing and exploring appropriate creative pathways through contextual research and image analysis
• Gain valuable insights into the modern uses of Photography and the continued developments of the medium in the visual arts and modern industry
• Exhibit work both physically and digitally

Develop: Ideas and creative thinking through inspirational creative practitioners within a creative framework

Explore: Experimenting and experiencing different Photographic mediums, processes and techniques - camera crafts, post camera manipulation (both digital and physical), studio lighting and other subject specific specialist technologies and methods (including traditional darkroom)

Record: Documenting your creativity and analytical thinking in various methods including visual imagery and written annotations; supported by exemplar materials and modern teaching and learning methods

Present: Realising your intentions in a meaningful way, choosing suitable appropriate presentation methods depending on the chosen brief or project pathway

First year: Term 1: A series of skill based, primarily practically focussed mini projects introducing equipment, materials, processes and techniques. Term 2: A thematic project derived from a series of starting points divided into a series of ‘phased’ sections, an initial response, exploratory phase, concluded with a consolidated specialist period of creative production. Term 3: A series of practical investigations responding to a contextual framework - exploring potential starting points for second year coursework options.

Second year: Term 1: Coursework - The Personal Investigation. A thematically driven personal project explored in a series of phased exploratory techniques, the results are analysed before being consolidated through a series of specialist responses resolved in a final outcome. These are commonly presented as printed image/s and an accompanying magazine. Term 2: Externally set Assignment: A personalised project responding to the examination boards suggested starting points - students explore a series of practical exploratory techniques before consolidating their work through a consolidated specialism period. Term 3: Externally set Assignment: A 15 hour ‘controlled condition’ end to project conducted over a series of practical sessions under examination conditions - students will present their final outcome/s commonly in framed printed form with an accompanying magazine.

All staff working in the department are qualified teachers and have years of experience of working in industry with roles ranging from digital retouching, studio photography, press and publicity, art direction, gallery curation, art exhibitions and published bodies of creative work.

Work is assessed throughout both years through differing methods both formally and informally by experienced subject teachers. Students are primarily guided by feedback via personalised verbal one to one’s, these frequent discussions are supported by digitally written notes. Each mini project in first year is formatively assessed with progress recorded on the college review data system. Second year work is monitored and assessed regularly with feedback recorded in various forms.

Assessment is directed by the Examination board (AQA) assessment objectives: ‘Develop’, ‘Explore’, ‘Record’ and ‘Present’. Each assessment objective is equally weighted, projects are marked out of 96. The second year coursework is worth 60%, the Externally set Assignment is therefore 40% of their overall A level mark. Work produced in the ‘controlled conditions’ is marked alongside the preparatory work and not assessed separately.

Departmental cross moderation is conducted, this is combined in second year to include internal standardisation with the broader art department, an AQA representative visits the college to externally moderate work to ensure national standards are upheld.

• Promoting competitions;
• Inviting photography degree course leaders to talk to our students;
• Inviting industry specialists to talk to students;
• Promoting exhibitions;
• Student Trip to exhibition;
• Staff run additional workshops track students progress;
• Celebrating students work by private view and exhibition of their work;
• Work experience with external companies.

Students are working on their personal projects that they have decided on the theme.  Driven by finding their own research artists and one to one tutorials with the subject tutor, technical and conceptual challenges are part of the progression and developmental process of their projects.  This can range from using professional studio lighting equipment to exploring traditional film processing and printing to challenging scenarios in managing exposures with the camera.

With an emphasis on visual communication Photography can be utilised in combination with many other subjects dependent on individual career aspirations. The most obvious being the other creative art pathways (fine art, fashion textiles, graphic design), film and media studies, information technology and business courses. Due to its interdisciplinary uses and appeal photography is suitable alongside subjects such as sociology, criminology, psychology, humanities, the sciences, English and maths.

 “Photography is still a craft that needs to always be considered with the utmost importance when clients are producing advertising campaigns. Ultimately, if the imagery is poor, the product will not sell.” - Jonathan Knowles, award winning commercial photographer

Our students can progress onto specialist degree pathways in Photographic practice at Higher Education, or use their photographic skills and knowledge to pursue other creative subjects such as fine art, interior design, graphic design, web design, multimedia, advertising or video production.

Other linked career paths include journalism, advertising, brand management, marketing, media and film, gaming design, architecture or medical/forensic image production. Some students progress onto apprenticeships with the support of the college’s careers team.

Staff will help you prepare your portfolio and provide guidance on interview techniques.

Studying A level Photography will build an important series of interdisciplinary transferable employability skills including:

Employability and transferable skills:

• Visual literacy
• Critical thinking
• Problem Solving
• Decision Making
• Time Management & Organisation
• Attention to Detail
• Communication techniques
• Creative thinking and doing
• Differing approaches to creative practice
• Creative risk taking
• Computer Literacy
• Contextual studies
• Independence and confidence
• Resilience
• Dedication

“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.”  - Dorothea Lange

Please see below for careers and labour market information for photography - use the refresh buttons to find out about different courses and careers, and use the left and right arrows to view more detailed information.

You can find the prep work for this course at prepwork.farnborough.ac.uk.

Q: Do I need to have studied photography or art at GCSE?

A: No, you just need a GCSE grade 4 in Maths and English. Previous studying of either photography or art would be beneficial but not essential as we introduce the fundamentals of the subject in the early weeks of the course; before continuing into the further complexities of the subject.

Q: Do you need your own camera and software?

A: No, the department is well resourced and can loan students cameras to complete their photographic shoots.  We use Canon DSLR cameras with an array of other specialist equipment for students to use outside of class including lenses, lighting kits, tripods, scanners, GoPro’s etc.  You are more than welcome to use your own digital SLR for your work. All computers in the college are equipped with Adobe software, and your college login will allow you to access Photoshop remotely.

Q: What will the course consist of?

A: In your first year, you will complete a series of short mini projects, focussed on developing your technical and compositional skills with cameras, studio lighting, traditional black and darkroom practice and contextual studies underpinned by the examination boards assessment objectives. All projects are progressed through systematic relevant research, reviewing, refining and analysis of imagery - students will be introduced to frameworks to aid critical and contextual understanding, aiding project development and subject appreciation. Students are encouraged to look at a breadth of inspirations, ranging from contemporary commercial imagery, fine art photography, moving images and the broader art disciplines.  

Q: What facilities do you have in photography?

A: We have a large black and white darkroom and dedicated photographic studio that all students are able to book and use. All classrooms are equipped with 19 PCs to complete digital work both creative and documentary. Classrooms can also be used as photographic studios for practical work. You can process your own black and white film in the classroom and choose to either print the images digitally or develop them in the darkroom. Students can also explore colour film shooting, processing and scanning. As previously mentioned, the department has specialist equipment that we loan to students to complete their work outside of lessons.

Q: How much homework will I get?

A: Independent work is an important aspect of the course, you can expect to receive homework after each lesson inline with college policy guidelines, generally this will consist of the completion of tasks in your digital workbook consisting of presented imagery and accompanying written annotations. Homework can also include photographic shoots depending on your project direction and inspirations. Remember, it is a coursework based subject, as such it is important to work consistently and systematically, the higher the quality of work, the better your mark and feedback will be. Passion, motivation, dedication and personal drive alongside a willingness to adapt, overcome and develop resilience will help you succeed and improve, you’ll get out what you put in.

To find out the latest information from the department, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, @F6thPhotography.