AS level Photography.. Worth it?

GFWilliams

GFWilliams

Messages
1,360
Name
GF
Edit My Images
No
Hi all,
My teacher at school keeps bugging me to do photography as a fifth AS level (my other subjects are Maths, Physics, Economics and Computing). I'm wondering if it is worth it.
Does anyone know how much time it really takes up becuase I don't want to spend time working on a book when I could be out shooting..
Also, my teacher said that I am pretty much a guarenteed an A (his words, not mine ;)) but does the qualification actually count for much?

Thanks
George
 
I guess it depends how good you are at your 'main' subjects as well. I did maths and physics with a couple of other things at college, I don't think I could've done a 5th as well. Maths and Physics can get pretty hard, very quickly if you're not concentrating on them.

My sister did A-level photography and it took up a lot of time. I didn't see her out shooting too often, most of the time she was stuck inside filling in visual diaries and 'mood-boards.' *shudders*
 
The A level course is usually fairly time consuming, about half the course is usually taken up with the history of photography, this means researching those photographer who are discused and writing essays about them. While the practical lessons are useful and give a good grounding, they tend not to be "in depth" enough. If photography is for you liik at a degree course later. Wayne
 
I finished my alevel in it 2 years ago. I would say it is worth it because you a very good knowledge of the basics and then you can expand. It is good fun but the down side is there is ALOT of course work before you even take the photographs. We were required to do at least half a sketch book of reserach in to photographers, methods etc before we could start taking photos.

Personally i would say, if you got the gear give it ago. the knowledge you gain will help you alot. If its not for you after a year then dont carry it on.

Will
 
Forbiddenbiker said:
I'd say, no such thing in my day, why miss the chance if its so easy.

Yes of course, don't miss the chance whilst you have it, so you'll just have slightly less free time so what, at your age that probably won't interfere to much with your social hey. ;)
Click to expand...


they was too interested in that new fangles wheel thing when it was your day ;)
 
I did the same 4 A-levels as you are planning to, and even though Physics was my "easy" subject it still took up a lot of my time! Combine that with the essay writing involved in Economics and the programming in Computing and you've got yourself fully booked before you even consider the Maths!

I would suggest you stick with the 4 A-levels and keep the photography as a hobby. Anywhere you want to go with it will not require any better qualification than a good portfolio, so spend your time shooting rather than working through a course!
 
ive just done my AS and A level photography, and found it not too bad time wise with doing all of the coursework but if its your 5th AS level then i can possibly see you having too much work to deal with to be honest, but then i dont have a clue how you work haha.

if your looking to carry on photography into a uni cousre like i will be next year, most places are happy with a C or above in photography as part ot you grades you get/or will have to get to into uni, depending on the uni that is.

but ive also had a chat with a friend who is in the advertising buisness and he says that he doesnt take any notice of there "Degrees" or "Grades" when he is looking for photographers to do some work, he only looks at thier portfolios of work which is how it should be done, i know loads of people, including me, who hate exams and all the writen form or testing beacuse i find it so much easier doing it with the practical approach.

hope this has helped :thumbs:
 
No, waste of time. There's no point in doing either AS or A-Level, neither will get you anything useful. Even degree photography is a waste of time for most people.

Unless you know exactly what you want to do, there's no point in doing any photography related course. Except perhaps an intro to photography if you don't know how to use a camera.
 
You don't need an AS, A-Level or Degree to get you into photography. You can do it all yourself at minimal cost and in half the time.

Since GFWilliams is already into photography, an AS Level is definitely a waste of time.
 
In my opinion any kind of photography training is worth it. The book work and research is essential. Its no good hitting the streets with a camera without any prior knowledge of aperture, shutter speeds and depth of field etc...You will just constantly produce bad images and have no understanding of why.
Im' at college in my second year doing a BTEC National Diploma and loads of people in the class complain about the book work. But those are people who are producing really poor images even after 18 months of studying (and they dont know why). The passion just isn't there for them.
Researching photographers i found really interesting and it is suppose to inspire you, which eventually it will. The passion to learn photography will get you there but you really have to want to do it. I just wish i had the option to study photography when i was at school!
 
just a thought - if you're finding physics and maths to be your two easiest subjects I'm guessing that you're a bit of a bright spark - I understand that any added pressure isn't needed but if your teacher has said that you're pretty much guaranteed an A I'd sit down with them - ask if they can literally bullet point all of the assessment criteria and see if it's do-able - if the summer for the course work is allowed then personally I'd think it a bit foolish to not think twice - it would add a string to your bow and give you more options for the future - yes you can get into photography without qualifications but it can(not always!) also ease the road if you do have the odd piece of paper relating to it.
Back to the added pressure - AS levels are comparatively easy (I was in the year when they were first introduced - maybe we weren't doing it right!)- I took a year long qualification in French in my AS year and I was rubbish at the language and found it a challenge but I'm pleased I did it and I totally found the time - if you're into Photography anyway it's not going to take too much time out? Have fun deciding and good luck!
 
Pricer said:
8utters said:
No, waste of time. There's no point in doing either AS or A-Level, neither will get you anything useful.QUOTE]

Dont quite totally agree on that, simply because its what made me really get into photography in the first place.

but everyone has their own oppinions :)
Click to expand...


i agree, if your looking at photography from a work aspect it doesnt offer much especially if you have a in depth knowledge in photography as it is.

i am currently in my secound year of A-level photography and i think it is good in some respects bad in others. I have learnt very little apart from the darkroom stuff but i went to college to be able to use a darkroom so it has benifited me. there is a very heavy work load, but i dont understand how people can say its mainly theory that is completely wrong. it is as practicle as you wish to make it, there is alot of theory but you can choose the ratio of the two pretty much.
Click to expand...
 
I have just finished an intro to photography and was thinking about the A-Level course. It's one night a week, 2 hours a night, for 2 years, so got to be quite commited. As I have till September to make my mind up I'm doing some day tuition courses at various studios in the meantime. These cover fashion,portrait,still glamour etc. I'm now thinking that these more hands on courses will be more beneficial than the doing something like the A-Level one.
 
My A-Level course was an absolute waste of time. Be sure to know what you're getting from your course prior to taking it, you might find they've short changed you, so to speak.
 
chris_tim said:
Pricer said:
i agree, if your looking at photography from a work aspect it doesnt offer much especially if you have a in depth knowledge in photography as it is.

i am currently in my secound year of A-level photography and i think it is good in some respects bad in others. I have learnt very little apart from the darkroom stuff but i went to college to be able to use a darkroom so it has benifited me. there is a very heavy work load, but i dont understand how people can say its mainly theory that is completely wrong. it is as practicle as you wish to make it, there is alot of theory but you can choose the ratio of the two pretty much.
Click to expand...

thats exactly what i had, i thought our teacher was bunk and didnt teach us anything, he literally gave us a point and shot little kodak and sent us away to shoot protraits with us knowing nothing about and nothing to do with photography, so we had to learn pretty much by ourselfs. but that as chris_tim said, we aswell got a little demonstration in the darkroom and we just expected to know how to use it from the start, but as you get the feedback from your tutor of your work we soon got compfy.
Click to expand...
 
Hi George

Having read your post and the thread I'll say 3 things.

1) If your passionate about photography you will learn what you need to learn to take the pictures you want to. Now you can do this in a structured way through an AS or in your own leisure time as a hobby.
2) If you are already into photography and then isn't doing an AS in your hobby a bit of a bonus? Even if your not taking pictures its still developing your hobby (hey while we are all logged on to TP we're not taking photos but we still do it.....)
3) If you have already checked out the curriculum and you think you have already learnt most of the content through your hobby, then don't just do this for the qualification....they don't seem to account for much in the industry. But if you fancy an easy grade... thats another story!;)

In summary i suppose its what you want to get from this; learning, fun, a qualification or to start off a career......:shrug:
 
The course is free, just to clarify and the teacher is verygood and I get on well with him. (He did afterall help me to get an A* in IT at GCSE..)

I would not do the A2 in photography as it is not offered at school.

oh, and Deano, I research photographers even now and I don't even do anything like a qualification. I KNOW I have passion for photography, even if in the future it isn't my main career.

George
 
I did 5 Alevels in my first year Maths Physics Chemistry History and Further Maths and found that i barely had time to sleep (not joking kept finding myself working at 1 AM) and that all my grades worked out to be below where they would have been if I had done 4.
However much of my time was further maths. Physics is tbh easy enough if you were looking at those 4 as options. I don't know how heavy Economics is on time and I never really put much into maths either.
I think it might be a bad idea as it will detract from the grades in our more 'traditional' subjects that look good on a cv and personal statement
 
My first reaction is that you don't get much in life thats free and you should probably take the opportunity while it's available - especially as you seem to already be doing some of the work anyway (research etc)

My second reaction is that you should try to keep something that is just for fun and you can do as a relaxing distraction from having to study. I did A level English Literature and Theatre Studies at college and did find that after having to read and deconstruct a multitude of set texts I had stopped reading for enjoyment. It would be a shame for your hobby to become a chore in the same way.

I would check out the course as much as you can and really think about what you would gain from it - even if it's just direction and inspiration rather than technical knowledge. Then it's up to you to decide if it's worth it or not.

Good luck whatever you decide :thumbs:
 
I think you've made the right choice, if you are predicted good grades in your main subjects then I would imagine this would be a good thing to help you stand out as someone different when it comes to what you do next.

Alternatively, if you want to focus on your main subjects you could wait until you go to university (I presume you are likely to do this) and then do A-Level (or AS Level) Photography as an evening class at a local 6th form college - it will probably be free as you would be in full time education (it was for me when I did A Level Photography in conjunction with my 2nd year at University) .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top