Summary

We tailor the course to maximise your individual interests and develop your own creative identity with a strong sense of cultural awareness.

The two units that are covered during this course are personal investigation: exploring a self-initiated photographic theme and an externally set assignment which encourages you to choose from eight themes and produce a final piece during a fifteen hour practical exam. In both units, you will be asked to produce experimental coursework and research prior to a final piece. Throughout the course you will learn a wide range of practical, expressive and theoretical skills to build creative confidence.

These skills include:

Practical
Understanding camera features in film and digital formats from 35mm, medium and large format.
Understanding light and exposure and applying camera techniques to suit portrait, landscape and still life subjects.
Using photographic accessories such a studio and off-camera flash, lens filters, time lapse etc.
Manipulation and refinement of imagery through digital software (Adobe Photoshop) and darkroom practice, processing and enlarging black & white film negatives.

Expressive
Understanding how to combine technique and subject matter into photographic themes to express a personal vision.
Applying skills and ideas to contexts such as documentary, fine art, commercial, editorial and natural history photography.

Theoretical
Exploring elements of the history and contemporary practice of photography to gain inspiration.
Understanding and applying analytical skills in writing about and discussing photographer’s work.
Photography gives you a brilliant creative outlet where you might not have conventional artistic skills such as drawing and painting.