NCEA Level 2 Photography
Course Description
Head of Faculty - Kaihautuu: Whaea C. Tamihere.
Students in this Year 12 photography course will explore the technical and creative possibilities of photography as an art form and build their visual literacy and understanding of the creative process.
They will learn how to use a camera and build their understanding of image making and visual communication. This will include learning the technical skills of how to operate a digital SLR camera, the operation of studio lighting and techniques for post production using Adobe Suites.
The focus is on original and creative thinking, using a range of experimental approaches and photographic conventions. Students will work towards a printed or digital folio submission of their own photographic images. This could be a moving image submission, or sequences of still photographs presented on a two-panel folio board.
This course introduces contemporary technologies for producing photographic images. The fundamentals of using a digital single reflex camera are stressed. But the camera itself is redefined in this class and can utilise everything from cell phones, the scanner as a camera, disposable cameras, film cameras, video cameras - all as legitimate tools for creating photographic images.
This course introduces students to seeing, thinking and creating with a critical mind and eye on the world in which they live. They bring this to the crafting and manipulation of photographic forms and meaning. Students will become far more aware of and attentive to the richness and complexity of the physical world, culture and societies in which we live. This subject will develop students as thinkers, deepening connections and awareness of themselves and others. It has value beyond the development of Photography skills only.
Students need to be committed to being active learners, and to taking photographs outside the classroom. You will need to participate in interesting, challenging class and homework tasks throughout the year. This will ensure that all students complete their portfolio of work to a high standard. Do not take this course if you are a passive learner ... you must participate actively.
Course Overview
Term 1
Introduction to Photographic Conventions
Introduction to your camera / DSLR
-understanding exposure
-basic camera settings
-shutter speeds
-depth of field
-how to store and back up your images
Active technical workshops, including studio photography lighting and techniques
Understand the principles of Composition
Introduction to Adobe Photoshop / Premier Pro
How to unpack and develop a theme
Introduction to internal AS 2.2 / Site Investigation
Term 2
The Artist Model
-The Artist Model, how to analyse and apply that learning to own work
Researching and generating ideas for your theme - journal development
Extending camera and photographic conventions from Term One. Apply to a new topic and idea.
Photography field trip.
Introduction to internal AS 2.3 / Idea development - photographing, editing, extending and refining ideas for your theme.
Term 3
Extending and evolving a body of work for your external portfolio submission - still photography or moving image.
Multiple photo shoots of objects / people / places to extend and evolve your personal folio theme.
Editing, refining and extending ideas in new photo shoots in studio and/or on location.
Peer and teacher critique.
Term 4
Final editing of work and folio sequences.
Editing, printing and presentation of finished folio boards or moving image submissions for external assessment at the end of Week 2.
Recommended Prior Learning
Ideally students will have studied one of our visual art courses in Year 10 or 11, but all students who are willing to commit to actively engaging in learning Photography, and to working in and out of class time will be welcome. Photography is an active subject. Students will need to commit to growing their self-management skills.
Contributions and Equipment/Stationery
Own SD card. Art Journal. Own camera ideal for out of class work (including a quality cell phone camera). School cameras will be available for in-class photography. Stationery to be advised fully in start of year stationery list.
Pathway
Senior photography courses develop multiple life-long skills such as the ability to think in complex and divergent ways, creativity, positive learning dispositions and personal competencies, as well as specific skills in Photography. There are many career options and tertiary pathways involving visual arts skills, literacies and creative thinking. These span a wide range of industries and fields of knowledge. People with creative, original, high level thinking and problem-solving skills are highly sought after.
Assessment Information
Assessment in this course is portfolio based. Students will develop their work throughout each term as they participate in learning activities and assignments. Students will participate in two compulsory internals in Terms 1 and 2. You will also have the option to complete work for AS 2.5. All students will be expected to complete work for the external 12 credit portfolio submission in Term 3 and 4.Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
This course is eligible for subject endorsement.
This course is approved for University Entrance.
External
NZQA Info
Visual Arts 2.2 - Use drawing methods to apply knowledge of conventions appropriate to photography
NZQA Info
Visual Arts 2.3 - Develop ideas in a related series of drawings appropriate to established photography practice
NZQA Info
Visual Arts 2.4 - Produce a systematic body of work that shows understanding of art making conventions and ideas within photography
NZQA Info
Visual Arts 2.5 - Produce a resolved work that demonstrates control of skills appropriate to cultural conventions
Pathway Tags
Fashion Designer, Printer, Architect, Architectural Technician, Urban/Regional Planner, Project Manager, Animator/Digital Artist, Advertising Specialist, Art Director (Film, Television or Stage), Artist, Artistic Director, Film and Video Editor, Beauty Therapist, Tattoo Artist, Entertainer, Film/Television Camera Operator, Graphic Designer, Interior Designer, Make-up Artist, Curator, Director (Film, Television, Radio or Stage), Visual Merchandiser, Exhibition and Collections Technician, Media Producer, Lighting Technician, Game Developer, Hairdresser/Barber, Model, Signmaker, Counsellor, Early Childhood Teacher, Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Primary School Teacher, Nanny/Child Carer, Private Teacher/Tutor, Recreation Co-ordinator, Youth Worker, Secondary School Teacher, Teacher Aide, Tailor/Dressmaker, Event Manager, Photographer, Art Director (Film, Television or Stage), Director (Film, Television, Radio or Stage),