Key dates and exam rules
The A-level Photography exam starts on the 1st February.
Your final exam dates will be at the end of April/start of May - 3x 5 hours = 15 hours in total.
All work for the photography exam will be handed in on day one of the exam - you will not have access to your websites outside of the exam times - therefore you must consider this date a final deadline.
From February, your focus will need to be on preparing for the exam, however you may continue to make improvements on your coursework outside of lessons (which makes sense as it is 60% of your grade).
Your final exam dates will be at the end of April/start of May - 3x 5 hours = 15 hours in total.
All work for the photography exam will be handed in on day one of the exam - you will not have access to your websites outside of the exam times - therefore you must consider this date a final deadline.
From February, your focus will need to be on preparing for the exam, however you may continue to make improvements on your coursework outside of lessons (which makes sense as it is 60% of your grade).
The exam paper
Timeline
Support for the exam questions
Brainstorm the exam paper as a group. Explore all questions and all options for each one. Make lots of notes and do some research before making a decision.
Pinterest boards will be a good place to start - search your title followed by AQA or photography exam - other people will have started putting boards together with ideas for photographers.
Pinterest boards will be a good place to start - search your title followed by AQA or photography exam - other people will have started putting boards together with ideas for photographers.
Task Overview and Webpage Layout
If you need more structure to support you through the exam, this would be a great place to start. Organise your exam page with the following layout (see left) then work through the tasks step by step. You'll need to be flexible though - it really is just a guide to the minimum requirements. If you follow this properly, you should be able to achieve a C on your exam if the quality is there.
Lessons
Read your exam paper. This is yours to keep - you can highlight and make notes on it.
Group mindmaps
On the walls are pieces of paper with all of the titles on.
Grab a felt tip, and go round each piece of paper and add as many ideas as you can think of - this will save you time when you have to do your own mindmap!
Include:
- Things you could photograph
- Concepts/meanings that could be explored
- Places you could go to take photos
- Photography techniques
- Editing techniques
I will photograph and upload these below for next lesson.
On the walls are pieces of paper with all of the titles on.
Grab a felt tip, and go round each piece of paper and add as many ideas as you can think of - this will save you time when you have to do your own mindmap!
Include:
- Things you could photograph
- Concepts/meanings that could be explored
- Places you could go to take photos
- Photography techniques
- Editing techniques
I will photograph and upload these below for next lesson.
Independent research
Carry out general research into each exam question that interests you. Make notes on your exam paper of anything that interests you, and start copying any images that you might want to come back to later onto a powerpoint, making a note of the artists names etc.
Choose your title carefully - you cant change it once making a decision - there isn't enough time!
Carry out general research into each exam question that interests you. Make notes on your exam paper of anything that interests you, and start copying any images that you might want to come back to later onto a powerpoint, making a note of the artists names etc.
Choose your title carefully - you cant change it once making a decision - there isn't enough time!
1. continue to research if you need to in order to make a fully informed decision.
2. Your main homework is to prepare your webpage with blocks ready to put work into. This will speed up lessons and help you organize the work you need to complete. It will also help me to make sure that you don't miss anything out! Use the printed handout.
2. Your main homework is to prepare your webpage with blocks ready to put work into. This will speed up lessons and help you organize the work you need to complete. It will also help me to make sure that you don't miss anything out! Use the printed handout.
Decide on a title then complete the following:
Write up the relevant mindmap - you can add/leave things off it where necessary. You can do this either by hand or powerpoint.
Create a collage of initial ideas, full of inspiring images that link to what you might do for this project. What are you planning to do? Make notes on the collage that link to your specific ideas.
Create a new page called Component 2: Exam Project
Upload both pieces of work as JPEGS.
Write up the relevant mindmap - you can add/leave things off it where necessary. You can do this either by hand or powerpoint.
Create a collage of initial ideas, full of inspiring images that link to what you might do for this project. What are you planning to do? Make notes on the collage that link to your specific ideas.
Create a new page called Component 2: Exam Project
Upload both pieces of work as JPEGS.
Write a 'statement of intent' below your collage and mindmap.
Write a paragraph to explain your ideas for the project. What will you explore? What do you plan to focus on? What will you photograph? You can update this later in the project – it still has to be relevant at the end of all of your experiments etc. If things change, you just need to remember to update your paragraph.
Write a paragraph to explain your ideas for the project. What will you explore? What do you plan to focus on? What will you photograph? You can update this later in the project – it still has to be relevant at the end of all of your experiments etc. If things change, you just need to remember to update your paragraph.
RECAP: How do you analyse a photographer? And what is important when choosing a photographer to inspire your ideas?
You now need to find THREE artists to inspire your ideas.
As you know, 25% of your marks come from artist research and using artists to inspire your ideas. Choose your artists carefully as you will spend the next few weeks working in their style. You should also consider how you will combine their styles, as you will need to do a lot of this!
Things to consider when choosing your artists in order to be successful:
As you know, 25% of your marks come from artist research and using artists to inspire your ideas. Choose your artists carefully as you will spend the next few weeks working in their style. You should also consider how you will combine their styles, as you will need to do a lot of this!
Things to consider when choosing your artists in order to be successful:
- Do you really like their work? If not - don't choose them!
- Do you have lots of ideas for your own work inspired by their style?
- Are the artist's style and techniques a suitable level of challenge for you? Not too easy/too hard.
- Are they a professional photographer? The photographer you choose should have their own website and multiple images. Be careful not to choose a students work as you cant reference them in your project.
- Do the two artists work well together? Are they different enough to each other to make sure that you can show a range of skills? Eg. not both black and white. Can you think of different ways to combine their styles? This is important!
Your task is to write a paragraph about the work of your chosen photographers to anaylse the way they photograph your chosen subject. You should include:
- 3 photographs of their figure photographs (not photos of the artist!).
- key information about their work from the things you have read about (not the photographer but the work itself)
- Your own observations of the photography techniques and formal elements that you see - eg. how does the photographer use composition, lighting, line, shape, tone etc?
- What you think the work is about - what does the photographer want you to think about? What might the meaning behind the work be?
- Your opinion and explanation of how you will take inspiration from their work.
If you need help getting started, copy and paste these sentences and fill in the gaps.
The photographer I have chosen is...
Having read about their photography, I have learnt that...
When I look at _____'s photographs, I can see...
One of the reasons that I have chosen this photographer to inspire my work is because I like ...
I will take inspiration from ____'s work by...
- 3 photographs of their figure photographs (not photos of the artist!).
- key information about their work from the things you have read about (not the photographer but the work itself)
- Your own observations of the photography techniques and formal elements that you see - eg. how does the photographer use composition, lighting, line, shape, tone etc?
- What you think the work is about - what does the photographer want you to think about? What might the meaning behind the work be?
- Your opinion and explanation of how you will take inspiration from their work.
If you need help getting started, copy and paste these sentences and fill in the gaps.
The photographer I have chosen is...
Having read about their photography, I have learnt that...
When I look at _____'s photographs, I can see...
One of the reasons that I have chosen this photographer to inspire my work is because I like ...
I will take inspiration from ____'s work by...
Upload your HW photos - split them into the three artists - don't upload them all in one gallery.
2 minute discussion: How did your photos turn out? What do you need to develop further in order to work in the styles of your two photographers more effectively?
2 minute discussion: How did your photos turn out? What do you need to develop further in order to work in the styles of your two photographers more effectively?
This task is about planning for photos in the style of your photographers in two separate photoshoots.
The other element is to include drawing in your planning which is a compulsory part of the course, to communicate and record your ideas effectively.
The other element is to include drawing in your planning which is a compulsory part of the course, to communicate and record your ideas effectively.
Complete TWO planning pages - one for each artist. This time, the planning will be done by hand.
This planning can either be completed working backwards as if you had completed it before the weekend photoshoot OR in preparation for another photoshoot to build on the first.
Include notes and drawings on:
- photoshoot location
- lighting
- background
- models/subjects
- props
- costume
- links to photographer
Going for gold: also comment on camera techniques that you will be using.
This planning can either be completed working backwards as if you had completed it before the weekend photoshoot OR in preparation for another photoshoot to build on the first.
Include notes and drawings on:
- photoshoot location
- lighting
- background
- models/subjects
- props
- costume
- links to photographer
Going for gold: also comment on camera techniques that you will be using.
To ensure that you have a good selection of photos to work from, take additional photos at home in the style of your two photographers. 20+ Photos, with thoughtful use of photography techniques and formal elements.
If you didn't finish your planning pages, get these completed too!
If you didn't finish your planning pages, get these completed too!
1. Upload your scanned planning pages into position above each artist's photoshoot
2. Upload your additional photos from your third photoshoot
Going for gold: add captions to SOME of your photos in the gallery - identify the images that you think are strongest and why, and the ones that are weakest and why
2. Upload your additional photos from your third photoshoot
Going for gold: add captions to SOME of your photos in the gallery - identify the images that you think are strongest and why, and the ones that are weakest and why
Look back at your research - you need to edit in the style of each artist SEPARATELY first, then upload in the correct place under each photographer.
Edit 3 different photographs in the style of each photographer. When finished, upload them next to the original image to show what you have done to edit your photo.
Tips for success:
- Show the before and after
- Use a different photo in each edit
- Do something different in each experiment
- Make clear links to your photographer
- Show a range of editing and camera techniques for the higher marks
Going for gold: Be purposeful and methodical in your editing in order to show progress
Tips for success:
- Show the before and after
- Use a different photo in each edit
- Do something different in each experiment
- Make clear links to your photographer
- Show a range of editing and camera techniques for the higher marks
Going for gold: Be purposeful and methodical in your editing in order to show progress
Review the three edits in one paragraph (for each artist separately).
What did you do and why? How do your edits link to your photographer? What are the strengths and areas for development next time?
I edited these photos by...
They link to the style of my artist... because...
Something that I feel worked well about the edits is... because...
Going forwards, I will develop... by...
What did you do and why? How do your edits link to your photographer? What are the strengths and areas for development next time?
I edited these photos by...
They link to the style of my artist... because...
Something that I feel worked well about the edits is... because...
Going forwards, I will develop... by...
Photoshoot lesson (if relevant - alternatively do this at home) - make sure you have your camera at school!
After taking your photos, upload all photos to your area, then split them when uploading to your website into two galleries - one for each photographer. Refer to your layout from the start of the project.
Write a review of each photoshoot:
What did you photograph, how and why? How did you link to your photographer? What will you do next?
For this photoshoot I took photos of... because...
When taking the photos I...
This photoshoot links to ... by...
From here, I will edit to enhance my photos by...
After taking your photos, upload all photos to your area, then split them when uploading to your website into two galleries - one for each photographer. Refer to your layout from the start of the project.
Write a review of each photoshoot:
What did you photograph, how and why? How did you link to your photographer? What will you do next?
For this photoshoot I took photos of... because...
When taking the photos I...
This photoshoot links to ... by...
From here, I will edit to enhance my photos by...
Upload your homework photos into the next gallery on your exam page.
GOING FOR GOLD: add captions to the best photos, noting down the strengths
How will you combine the styles of your photographers?
Think back to your previous projects... what worked/what do you need to do differently?
GOING FOR GOLD: add captions to the best photos, noting down the strengths
How will you combine the styles of your photographers?
Think back to your previous projects... what worked/what do you need to do differently?
Your next task is to do 3 further experiments which combine the styles of your three photographers.
To be successful:
- Combine the ideas/techniques of both photographers
- Do this creatively and purposefully
- How can you show a good variety of skills - different camera/editing techniques
- Can you do something different on each edit?
- Use a different photo for each experiment
Going for gold: Be purposeful and methodical in your editing, refining each time in order to show progress
Going for gold: Review using technical terms to explain what you did
Going for gold: Focus on evaluating each experiment – what are the strengths and weaknesses.
To be successful:
- Combine the ideas/techniques of both photographers
- Do this creatively and purposefully
- How can you show a good variety of skills - different camera/editing techniques
- Can you do something different on each edit?
- Use a different photo for each experiment
Going for gold: Be purposeful and methodical in your editing, refining each time in order to show progress
Going for gold: Review using technical terms to explain what you did
Going for gold: Focus on evaluating each experiment – what are the strengths and weaknesses.
Upload each edited photograph - full size if successful, half size if you don't think it is that effective.
Below each photo, review:
How did you edit in the style of your two photographers? What are the strengths? How will you develop in the next edit?
To edit this image in the style of my two photographers I...
Something that works well is...
On my next experiment, I will develop my ideas further by...
Going for gold: Use technical language and be reflective on your skills and areas for improvement - but don't be too critical!
Below each photo, review:
How did you edit in the style of your two photographers? What are the strengths? How will you develop in the next edit?
To edit this image in the style of my two photographers I...
Something that works well is...
On my next experiment, I will develop my ideas further by...
Going for gold: Use technical language and be reflective on your skills and areas for improvement - but don't be too critical!
Planning for your photography mock
Mock overview:
You will be asked to create two or more mini outcomes that bring together your ideas so far. You will work independently and in silence during this section of the mock exam. You will upload and review at the end.
Whilst you are working, Miss Wilson will talk to each of you and do A-level style one to one tutorials, to help you plan for the time you have remaining before the real exam.
You will then have time to go back over previous work to ensure that everything is finished off and to start on the next section of your project, following your tutorials.
Mock overview:
You will be asked to create two or more mini outcomes that bring together your ideas so far. You will work independently and in silence during this section of the mock exam. You will upload and review at the end.
Whilst you are working, Miss Wilson will talk to each of you and do A-level style one to one tutorials, to help you plan for the time you have remaining before the real exam.
You will then have time to go back over previous work to ensure that everything is finished off and to start on the next section of your project, following your tutorials.
Create a powerpoint to plan for your mock exam. Include the following:
- A photoshoot plan - what images do you need to take before the exam, how and where will you take them etc. Use specific photography terms and camera techniques (eg. composition, lighting, shutter speed...)
- An editing plan - how many edits will you do (2 or more), how will you edit, how will they combine your artists styles etc. Use specific photoshop terms.
- A photoshoot plan - what images do you need to take before the exam, how and where will you take them etc. Use specific photography terms and camera techniques (eg. composition, lighting, shutter speed...)
- An editing plan - how many edits will you do (2 or more), how will you edit, how will they combine your artists styles etc. Use specific photoshop terms.
Before you upload your powerpoint, show it to the person next to you and get feedback on areas you could improve. Make note of these in your red book on the sheet.
Make improvements, upload your completed powerpoint then complete the response to mission section of the peer assessment sheet in your red book.
Make improvements, upload your completed powerpoint then complete the response to mission section of the peer assessment sheet in your red book.
You might also want to consider showing alternatives to the edits you have done so far for extra marks - see the example below...
Final exam preparations start here!
Key info:
1. You will have to complete your exam AND Coursework projects by the end of the third day of the exam.
2. You must have all photos that you need ready and in school for the first day of the exam.
3. All writing must be black for your two projects, then anything completed in the exam must be red, including titles on exam edits.
4. Your accounts will be disabled on the final day of your exam so you cannot work on them at home.
5. All work will be marked shortly after the exam, and final marks submitted to the exam board.
6. In OCTOBER – you may request your account to be transferred into your own email address by emailing me, or if you are continuing with Photography at A-level your account will be unlocked in September.
Key info:
1. You will have to complete your exam AND Coursework projects by the end of the third day of the exam.
2. You must have all photos that you need ready and in school for the first day of the exam.
3. All writing must be black for your two projects, then anything completed in the exam must be red, including titles on exam edits.
4. Your accounts will be disabled on the final day of your exam so you cannot work on them at home.
5. All work will be marked shortly after the exam, and final marks submitted to the exam board.
6. In OCTOBER – you may request your account to be transferred into your own email address by emailing me, or if you are continuing with Photography at A-level your account will be unlocked in September.
Your task for today, and Homework due Thursday – is to plan your exam series. Please do this
Whether you are finished with other things or not – you can come back to anything incomplete later. After completing your planning, you will finish things off, then experiment and practice ready for your final exam pieces.
- What will your final 3-5 images be?
- How will you edit them?
- How will they link as a series?
- What skills will you be demonstrating?
- How will the best of your ideas be brought together at the end of your project?
- How will you link to your 2 or 3 photographers?
You may plan in your choice of the following options:
- Hand drawn plans with notes, then scan
- Powerpoint – combination of photos and notes
Whether you are finished with other things or not – you can come back to anything incomplete later. After completing your planning, you will finish things off, then experiment and practice ready for your final exam pieces.
- What will your final 3-5 images be?
- How will you edit them?
- How will they link as a series?
- What skills will you be demonstrating?
- How will the best of your ideas be brought together at the end of your project?
- How will you link to your 2 or 3 photographers?
You may plan in your choice of the following options:
- Hand drawn plans with notes, then scan
- Powerpoint – combination of photos and notes
Refer to the checklist below for the remaining lessons!
Exam overview
1. Produce your final images - upload with titles above in RED 'Final Outcomes'
2. Write an evaluation of the project (in RED)
3. Go back and finish off anything incomplete on the exam project. You cannot work on it again after the 15 hours.
4. Totally finished? Go back to coursework!
To be successful in AO4 you need to:
- produce a series of images (3 or more) for your project
- your series must bring together all of the best parts of your experiments
- You must include elements of all of the artists you have looked at (most have 3+ artists, some of you have more)
- your series of images must look like they go together - similar techniques, colours etc.
- They might tell a narrative across your images - eg. 3 parts of a story
- Think about how they will be presented - these images will be printed and presented alongside being displayed on your website.
Above anything else, your work must demonstrate the best of your ability.
For a C or above, you are aiming to show a consistent ability to competently present a personal and meaningful response and realize intentions, as well as a consistent ability to demonstrate understanding of visual language.
If you are going for gold and aiming higher, the language refers to the level of skill which changes to 'highly developed ability' or an 'exceptional ability'...
2. Evaluation
When your final pieces are finished and uploaded, you need to write an evaluation. This MUST be completed in the exam, so leave time for it. Write it on Word so you can spell check and save, then copy it over when finished. To evaluate, use these questions to help you:
What was the title of your project and how have you developed your project inspired by it? What approach have you taken?
Which artists have inspired your project and how?
What have you experimented with to help you develop your ideas for the project?
What is the idea behind your final series of images and how does it bring together the best parts of your project?
How did you create your final series of images?
What are the overall strengths of your project and why?
What are your areas for development - what do you need to work on in future projects?
If you need sentence starters, use them (copy and paste!), but add plenty to them. No one word answers! Explain yourself fully and expand on your answers as much as you can.
The title of my project was...
I have developed my own individual approach to this title by...
The artists that have inspired my work most are... and... .
Artist 1 has inspired my use of... Artist 2 has inspired the way I...
In order to develop my ideas for this project I experimented with...
After experimenting, I have brought together the best parts of my project to create my final series of images by...
To create my final series of images I...
I chose to work like this because...
Overall, I think the strengths of the project are... because...
The areas that I will need to work on in future projects are... because...
1. Produce your final images - upload with titles above in RED 'Final Outcomes'
2. Write an evaluation of the project (in RED)
3. Go back and finish off anything incomplete on the exam project. You cannot work on it again after the 15 hours.
4. Totally finished? Go back to coursework!
To be successful in AO4 you need to:
- produce a series of images (3 or more) for your project
- your series must bring together all of the best parts of your experiments
- You must include elements of all of the artists you have looked at (most have 3+ artists, some of you have more)
- your series of images must look like they go together - similar techniques, colours etc.
- They might tell a narrative across your images - eg. 3 parts of a story
- Think about how they will be presented - these images will be printed and presented alongside being displayed on your website.
Above anything else, your work must demonstrate the best of your ability.
For a C or above, you are aiming to show a consistent ability to competently present a personal and meaningful response and realize intentions, as well as a consistent ability to demonstrate understanding of visual language.
If you are going for gold and aiming higher, the language refers to the level of skill which changes to 'highly developed ability' or an 'exceptional ability'...
2. Evaluation
When your final pieces are finished and uploaded, you need to write an evaluation. This MUST be completed in the exam, so leave time for it. Write it on Word so you can spell check and save, then copy it over when finished. To evaluate, use these questions to help you:
What was the title of your project and how have you developed your project inspired by it? What approach have you taken?
Which artists have inspired your project and how?
What have you experimented with to help you develop your ideas for the project?
What is the idea behind your final series of images and how does it bring together the best parts of your project?
How did you create your final series of images?
What are the overall strengths of your project and why?
What are your areas for development - what do you need to work on in future projects?
If you need sentence starters, use them (copy and paste!), but add plenty to them. No one word answers! Explain yourself fully and expand on your answers as much as you can.
The title of my project was...
I have developed my own individual approach to this title by...
The artists that have inspired my work most are... and... .
Artist 1 has inspired my use of... Artist 2 has inspired the way I...
In order to develop my ideas for this project I experimented with...
After experimenting, I have brought together the best parts of my project to create my final series of images by...
To create my final series of images I...
I chose to work like this because...
Overall, I think the strengths of the project are... because...
The areas that I will need to work on in future projects are... because...
*Is your website examiner ready? Click the link then check your homepage.
*Is everything that you completed in the exam put in red? Red text and titles above edits.
*Have you saved all of your outcomes (for all projects!) in the student submission folder on the shared area (in photography)? Save all final photos for all 3 projects as your full name eg. Miss Wilson 1, Miss Wilson 2.
*Is your coursework finished?
*Is the overall presentation effective? Could anything look better for the examiner?
*Have you checked your spellings, capital letters, punctuation etc? Double check it – ask a friend to check too!
*Is everything that you completed in the exam put in red? Red text and titles above edits.
*Have you saved all of your outcomes (for all projects!) in the student submission folder on the shared area (in photography)? Save all final photos for all 3 projects as your full name eg. Miss Wilson 1, Miss Wilson 2.
*Is your coursework finished?
*Is the overall presentation effective? Could anything look better for the examiner?
*Have you checked your spellings, capital letters, punctuation etc? Double check it – ask a friend to check too!
Marking Criteria
Grade boundaries
Due to this being a new specification, we do not have any previous grade boundaries for comparison. Any predicted grades are approximate based on previous specifications and should only be used as a guide.
All students work is marked by at least two teachers, including Miss Wilson, and your marks are debated and discussed at length before being submitted to the exam board. After receiving the marks, the exam board will send a moderator to moderate the work and check that they agree with our marking. Because of this, we obviously take a lot of time to ensure that your marks are accurate!!
All students work is marked by at least two teachers, including Miss Wilson, and your marks are debated and discussed at length before being submitted to the exam board. After receiving the marks, the exam board will send a moderator to moderate the work and check that they agree with our marking. Because of this, we obviously take a lot of time to ensure that your marks are accurate!!