Photography
Capture Creativity. Tell Your Story.
Photography at Rainhill High School gives students the opportunity to develop creative vision, technical expertise and digital editing skills through a wide range of practical projects. Using DSLR cameras, studio equipment and Adobe Photoshop, students learn how to communicate ideas through powerful visual imagery while developing an understanding of professional photographic practice.
Throughout the GCSE course, students explore composition, lighting, portraiture, landscape photography and mixed-media techniques. They build confidence in planning and carrying out photoshoots, refining their work through experimentation and producing increasingly personal and creative responses.
The course follows the four GCSE Assessment Objectives, encouraging students to investigate the work of photographers, develop technical skills, record observations and present imaginative final outcomes. Photography is an excellent choice for creative students considering further study in Photography, Graphic Design, Art, Media or other creative industries.
Why Study Photography?
Photography combines creativity with technical skill, allowing students to capture and communicate ideas in unique and imaginative ways. Alongside learning how to use professional cameras and editing software, students develop valuable skills in visual communication, problem-solving, creativity and independent project management. These transferable skills are highly valued in higher education and careers including photography, graphic design, media, marketing, film, journalism and the wider creative industries.
Year 10
Half Terms 1 & 2 – A Perspective on Type
Students begin by exploring the formal elements of photography, including line, tone, contrast, texture, colour, black and white imagery and perspective. They investigate composition, the rule of thirds and photographic references while developing confidence using DSLR cameras. Practical work introduces aperture, ISO, focal range, autofocus and manual focus, alongside digital workflow and file management. Students carry out photoshoots both in and outside school before refining their work using Adobe Photoshop.
Half Terms 3, 4 & 5 – Hear / See / Speak No Evil (Poster Project)
Students develop portrait and studio photography skills by researching professional photographers and exploring roles within the photographic industry. They experiment with studio and natural lighting, shutter speed, aperture and composition before planning and carrying out their own photoshoots. Photoshop techniques such as lighting adjustments, levels and double exposure are introduced, culminating in the creation of professional promotional pack shots and a reflective evaluation of their creative journey.
Half Term 6 – Mixed Media Photography
Inspired by the work of Hattie Stewart and Ana Strumpf, students combine photography with mixed-media techniques including hand stitching, oil pastel, ink and image transfer. They create dramatic black and white portrait photography using controlled lighting before producing a professionally mounted and framed A3 final outcome.
Year 11
Half Terms 1–3 – Collections Project
Students undertake an independent photography project based on the theme of Collections. They research photographers, analyse how artists influence their own work and develop increasingly personal responses through creative experimentation. Technical skills are refined through sustained investigation, photography, editing and evaluation as students work towards a portfolio demonstrating independence and technical control.
Half Terms 4–6 – Externally Set Assignment
Students complete the GCSE Externally Set Assignment by selecting a theme from the examination paper and developing a self-directed project. They investigate ideas, experiment with lighting, composition and editing, record observations in their sketchbooks and produce a personal final outcome during the 10-hour controlled examination, demonstrating all four Assessment Objectives.
Mrs J Thorogood – Principal
Rainhill High School, Warrington Road, Rainhill, Merseyside, L356NY
A paper copy of the information on our website is available on request.
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