Photography
Photography is offered as a discrete course from S3 in the Art and Design department. Pupils can choose to take Art and Design and/or Photography.
S3
Our S3 Photography course is designed to introduce our pupils to photography and explore a wide range of techniques which will allow them to capture quality images.
Senior Phase
In S4 pupils complete a National Progression Award (NPA) in Photography (Level 4 or Level 5).
In S5/6 pupils can complete either an NPA or a Higher.
The course enables learners to:
communicate personal thoughts, feelings and ideas using photography
develop technical and creative skills in using photographic media, techniques and processes, including basic camera controls, research skills and Digital imaging.
develop knowledge and understanding of a range of photography practice, and analyse the impact of social and cultural influences on photographers and their work.
Higher course assessment includes a Question Paper and a Project that assesses the learner’s ability to integrate and develop creative and technical skills within a personal photography project. The student selects a theme and produces a portfolio of 8 images expressing their interpretation of the chosen theme.
Career Pathways
- Photographer
- Commercial photographer
- Industrial photographer
- Journalism
- Journalistic photographer
- Newspaper or magazine editor
- Cinematographer
- Advertising
- Advertising Art Director
- Digital marketer
- Marketing manager
- Wedding photographer
- Teacher
- Photography studio assistant
- Shoot prop designer
- Director of photography (film)
- Photographic technician
- Wildlife photographer
- Documentarian
- Fine artist
- Art editor
- Arts administrator
- Audio visual technician
- Community arts worker
- Computer games developer
- Illustrator (multiple types)
- Image consultant
- Photographic stylist
- Designer (multiple types)
- PR and Social media manager
- TV or film camera operator
- TV or film production manager
- TV or film sound technician
- Video editor
- Web content editor
- Web designer
Higher Photography
The Higher Photography Course enables learners to communicate personal thoughts, feelings and ideas using photography, and to develop technical and creative skills in using photographic media, techniques and processes.
Learners develop knowledge and understanding of a range of photography practice, and analyse the impact of social and cultural influences on photographers and their work.
Course Overview
This course includes the technical and creative sides of photography. The course comprises two units covering basic camera controls, research skills and Digital imaging. These skills are then combined in the thematic course project. To gain Higher Photography learners must pass the two units and the Course Assessment.
- Unit 1: Image Making
- Unit 2: Contextual Imagery
Externally marked and graded portfolio (A – D)
The SQA portfolio is a Project that assesses the learner’s ability to integrate and develop creative and technical skills within a personal photography project. The student selects a theme and produces a portfolio of 12 images expressing their interpretation of the chosen theme.
There are three sections:
- Research & Investigation (25 marks)
- Development & Production (60 marks)
- Evaluation (15 marks)