Photography – Level 2

Required qualifications

You will need:

• A minimum of a UAL or equivalent Level 1 qualification or three GCSEs at grade 3/D or above or an equivalent Level 1 Functional Skills qualification in English and maths.
• A keen interest in photography and a willingness to learn.
• A portfolio of work (optional but recommended).

What skills will I develop?

This course introduces students to both the creative and technical aspects of photography. You will develop practical skills in different photographic techniques and processes, and explore the history and theory of photography.

Key Topics Covered:

Photography Techniques:

• Camera handling and settings
• Exposure, aperture, ISO, and shutter speed
• Composition and framing
• Lighting techniques (studio and natural light)

Digital Image Manipulation:

• Editing software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom)
• Retouching and enhancing images
• Creating digital portfolios

Traditional Photography Methods:

• Darkroom techniques (film processing and developing)
• Black-and-white photography

Creative Project Work:

• Developing personal photography projects
• Visual storytelling and concepts
• Collaborative projects and exhibitions
• Research and analysis of iconic photographers and artists

Careers

This course provides a foundation for a variety of creative careers, including:
• Professional Photographer (freelance or commercial)
• Digital Image Editor
• Creative Director
• Visual Artist
• Graphic Designer
• Media and Advertising Professional

Work experience

Our dedicated Work Experience team are here to help and support you in finding a meaningful work experience opportunity.

Recent studies have shown that employers consider work experience to be extremely desirable. Whilst qualifications are hugely important, employers also require candidates to have skills and experience necessary for the workplace.

Preparing you for the working world is very important to us, so that you may be successful in your next step.
Work experience placements provide you with the opportunity to develop your skills; have a better understanding of the industry you want to work in and give you an insight into what it is like to be employed. They can also be great fun and very rewarding and you may even be offered a great reference, a part–time job, holiday working hours, apprenticeships or full-time jobs.

Once you start your course you will be provided with further information about work experience programmes, but it is never too early for you to start thinking about work experience placements and finding an employer who will offer you an opportunity.

Work experience is an opportunity for you to gain experience in your chosen career path in order to develop relevant skills. Equally, it also helps you to acquire employability skills, attitudes and behaviours that are essential for future employment. There will be an opportunity for you to reflect on your performance during work experience and you will receive some form of reference/feedback from the employer.

English and maths

New candidates who ONLY have either GCSE Maths, or English at grade 4 or higher, will benefit from having additional time allocated to their study programme in order to achieve the other GCSE subject to the national benchmark grade 4, alongside access to ‘CENTURY’; an online Maths and English diagnostic and skills development site.

New candidates who have NOT achieved GCSE English or Maths to grade 4 or above, will benefit from having additional time allocated to their study programme in order to achieve GCSEs in English and Maths to the national benchmark grade 4, alongside access to ‘CENTURY’; an online Maths and English diagnostic and skills development site.

English and Maths skills development are also embedded within the core qualification.

Other important information

The course is project-based, and students will be assessed through a combination of:
• Practical assignments and projects
• Written and visual research work
• Final portfolio presentation
• End-of-year exhibition
Students are encouraged to explore their creativity and develop their individual style throughout the course.

Study visits:
The art department recognises the importance and value of viewing art and design in the context of a ‘live’ exhibition, museums and gallery visits and we encourage all of our students to independently take regular advantage of galleries and museums, for research, inspiration and the purposes of ‘keeping up’ with current trends taking place within the creative industries. The art team invites you to join in with organised visits to local and national venues including Birmingham museum and art gallery, The Ikon, Walsall New Gallery. The National portrait gallery, the National gallery, Victoria and Albert museum, Tate galleries and each year we visit a major European city such as Paris for a weeklong study visit.