Fine Art Photography a LEVEL ART & DESIGN OPTIONS

Fine Art A LEVEL ART & DESIGN OPTIONS Photography What are the options available?

In Art and Design we offer 2 separate courses that are based on specialist areas:

● Fine Art ● Photography

Students can opt for the A Level course in either Fine Art or Photography dependent upon their experience at GCSE level. Both courses follow the same structure as each other, but use different materials to realise the students creative intentions. They also both encourage students to explore a range of media, artistic styles and genres. They are built around the development of imaginative and individual practical work consisting of 60% Personal Investigation (Coursework Portfolio) and 40% Set Task (exam).

● Fine Artists can select from all available media, including; drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, digital, sculpture etc. So this is a much broader approach. ● Photographers specialise in lens and light based media, through which they can use; digital photography, traditional film and chemical based photography, photograms, cyanotype, scanography, film and moving image etc.

The courses are suitable for anyone who has completed either GCSE Photography or GCSE Art, or other appropriate Art & Design based specialism at GCSE which can be discussed with members of the SJWMS staff. A Level Fine Art A Level Photography Aims of the Course

Almost everything around you has been created by Artists and Designers. In every job and career, there is an increasing need to be creative, imaginative and resourceful. The course allows you to:

● Develop your artistic and photographic skills, techniques and abilities further and more professionally; ● Explore and develop the use of your creative imagination; ● Develop your visual intelligence and the ability to interpret the visual world meaningfully; ● Learn how to form and develop original ideas of your own; ● Acquire the skill with which to express your ideas and feelings effectively; ● Enrich your aesthetic experience by visiting galleries and museums and within our links to UCA; ● Explore a wide variety of traditional and contemporary art and photographic materials and techniques. ● The use of professional photography equipment formal backdrops and lighting, professional digital photography equipment, Adobe Photoshop, etc. In addition to our traditional Chemical Darkroom Facilities. ● Life drawing classes. ● To work through your ideas creatively to produce high quality and professional art & photography work, showing consideration of audience and the ability to display and promote your work professionally. ● Gain support from experienced staff and visiting artists. “Great art picks up where nature ends.”

Marc Chagall

Assessment & Course Structure

Unit 1 Coursework Portfolio “Personal Investigation”: 60%

The A Level coursework element is built up of one practical unit which explores a thematic response. The work produced should form a personal investigation which incorporates analytical research on artists' ideas, techniques and process es. Consists of two components. (i) You are required to submit one major practical project, relating to a chosen theme. (96 marks) (ii) a related study: an extended response of a guided minimum of 1000 words.(24 marks). This unit should show a greater sense of maturity than previous GCSE units alongside a greater technical ability / skill and a considerable response for your display. Your theme should develop and grow from your induction programme and initial critical and contextual studies with all aspects of work being clearly documented. In all a good project will have a solid and personal core to it and once you have identified the area you wish to explore this must be discussed with your teachers, taking on board advice to move your study forward. The units you develop are internally set, marked and externally moderated. Assessment & Course Structure

Unit 2 Set Task (Exam): 40%

The A Level set task (exam) is externally set approximately ten weeks prior (on the 1st February) to an 15 hour exam. During this period candidates are able to prepare work and ideas prior to developing final images. Themes are given by the examination board and candidates select one of these titles to follow.

“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.”

Dorothea Lange

What Can I Do Next?

The A Level qualifications offer you an opportunity to fully develop and explore your chosen specialisms whilst expanding your knowledge, understanding and skills in a range of specialist areas. You will develop and explore your chosen theme, develop your skills, critically evaluate your work and the work others. You are able to tailor the investigation to fit individual needs, choices and aspirations in order to follow your chosen progression route through to Further or Higher Education or the workplace.

If continuing in education or pursuing a career in this or related areas there are a variety of renowned colleges and universities in the region including the University College for the Creative Arts (UCA). These establishments offer a range of courses including, but not limited to;

BTEC Foundation studies in Art and Design BA (Hons) Animation National Diploma in Art and Design BA (Hons) Fine Art BA (Hons) Applied Arts BA (Hons) Digital Arts BA (Hons) Architecture BA (Hons) Journalism BA (Hons) Photography BA (Hons) Graphic Design BA (Hons) Illustration etc . . . There are 100’s of creative courses to choose from . . . Career Opportunities

After undertaking this course and any future areas of study there are a wide range of career paths you could follow. These include but are not restricted to;

Architect Director-TV and Film Advertising and Design Management Fashion Designer Editorial Photographer Archivist Media Multimedia or Fine Artist Graphic Designer Film Editing Art Education / Teacher / Lecturer Journalism and Photojournalism Broadcast Media Careers Animator Motion Picture photographer Movie, TV and Stage Grip Art Therapist Camera operator Art Historian Scientific Photographer Professional / Commercial Photographer Photographic Processor or Restorer Special Effects Art Conservationist Technician Interior Designer Digital Designer Textiles Designer Cinematographers Industrial Design Gallery and Museum Curator Illustrator Product Design