Subject Intent: Why Digital Design and Commercial Photography?
Photography offers students a diverse range of skills from learning how to use DSLRs manually to an in-depth experience in the black and white darkroom. Students gain a broad knowledge in critical analysis developing thoughtful and conceptual ideas, expressed in still images. The curriculum is designed to encourage, practice and develop their technical skillset to develop as photographers and to bridge the gap between technical understanding and creativity. Students are taught professional practices to aid them in further education and employment.
What will I study?
Over the course you may study topics and skills such as;
- Adobe CC (Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, After Effects)
- Digital photography; the functions of a digital camera
- Studio and location photography
- Flash and lighting
- Animation
- Composition and layout
- Colour and typography theory
- Branding and logo design
- Social Media and marketing
- Editorial and web design
- Experimental image editing and manipulation
- Creative business and freelancing skills
- Visual and contextual research
- Ideas generation and working to a set brief
- Critiquing your own work and that of others
Digital Design and Commercial Photography
Please note: Subject videos have been filmed from colleges across our Trust.
What are lessons like in this subject?
In Year 12 the course is structured to develop a variety of skills in both digital design and photography, within short brief-led projects. In Year 13 you will have more freedom to specialise and develop one personal and in-depth body of work. Students are encouraged to develop their skills in research, problem solving, marketing, collaboration, independent thinking, professionalism and producing a marketable product. Students will also understand the potential of self-employment and creative entrepreneurship. Students could expect to continue into professions such as marketing and communications, graphic design, digital and interactive media production, games design, commercial photography and videography, art- working or retouching, wedding photography and more.
The Visual Arts department has professional standard studio spaces with Apple Macs, Adobe Creative Suite software, Wacom drawing tablets, a full photography light studio, DSLRs and other professional photography equipment for students to hire. It also has a wide variety of other arts-based specialist tools and equipment to encourage students to explore multidisciplinary techniques. We operate an ‘open door’ policy to allow students to use the equipment and studio spaces independently outside of their lessons.
What our
students
