The course begins with an exciting skills builder project, designed to immerse you in the world of photography from day one. You’ll get hands on experience using DSLR cameras, experimenting with composition, lighting, and camera settings to take creative control of your images. You’ll work in our excellent photography facilities, including a fully equipped studio space and a professional darkroom, where you can develop your own black and white prints using traditional techniques. You’ll also explore digital processes using industry standard editing software, combining technical skill with creative experimentation. This phase is all about exploration, discovery, and finding your own visual style.
As your confidence grows, you’ll begin to develop your own photographic projects and build a professional portfolio of work. Whether you’re drawn to portraiture, documentary, landscape, fashion, still life, or conceptual photography, you’ll learn how to plan, shoot, and edit a body of work that reflects your artistic interests and ambitions.
You’ll be encouraged to think and work like a professional photographer developing projects from initial concept through to final exhibition. Along the way, you’ll build expertise in visual storytelling, composition, lighting, editing, and presentation, supported by research into contemporary and historical photographers. You’ll gain insight into how photographers communicate ideas, evoke emotion, and respond to the world around them.
Beyond the classroom, there are plenty of opportunities to connect with the wider photographic and creative industries. You’ll visit major exhibitions and galleries in London and beyond, as well as local studios and creative spaces, to see professional photography in action. Guest speakers and workshops will introduce you to real world industry practices and a range of creative career paths from photojournalism, fashion and editorial photography to advertising, fine art, and digital media.
In Year 13, you’ll complete a personal Investigation that reflects your personal style and ambitions, alongside an externally set assignment where you’ll respond to a given theme, develop a project, and produce a final outcome under exam conditions. As part of your investigation, you’ll also create a written analysis exploring your theme, research, and creative development in depth.
To celebrate your achievements, you’ll share your work through a PechaKucha presentation, a fast paced, image led showcase of your creative journey helping you develop the confidence to talk about your ideas just like professional photographers and artists do.
A Level Photography isn’t just about taking pictures it’s about learning to see creatively, think critically, and communicate powerfully through images. It’s a course for storytellers, experimenters, image makers and for those who want to capture the world in new and imaginative ways.
With brilliant facilities, expert guidance, and endless opportunities to create, this is where your creative journey begins!
Grade 9-4 at GCSE in an art-based subject; a portfolio is also required at interview.
A Level Photography equips you with sharp critical thinking skills, explore digital processes using industry standard editing software, combining technical skill with creative experimentation.
From 1912 to 1948, you could win an Olympic medal in Art - winners were awarded in five categories: architecture, literature, music, painting and sculpture.