GCSE: Photography
- Thread starter Soda Farl
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- Jon
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My gut feeling is that if you know how to switch your camera on and which bit you look through then you should probably be looking for A-level type courses (assuming academic is the best way for you).
I'd not worry about being the oldest. I've done loads of courses where the oldest folks there have been the ones having the most fun. Everyone's there to learn/develop after all.
I'd not worry about being the oldest. I've done loads of courses where the oldest folks there have been the ones having the most fun. Everyone's there to learn/develop after all.
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I wouldn't say that about GCSEs at all, and lets face it, for photography I am sure it will cover all the basics and give you a good foundation for learning on. Granted, it probably won't have a lot of of the coursework and 'meaning behind the images' that go with a degree.
I'd contact the college and ask for a break down of the course. It will probably be split in to sections. Post them here and we can see if it covers everything.
I'd contact the college and ask for a break down of the course. It will probably be split in to sections. Post them here and we can see if it covers everything.
I have just completed mine and really enjoyed it, yes it goes into the basics of how to use a camera but I didn't mind that at all. Lets face it not everyone knows the basics and that can be seen from some of the questions that get asked on here. Your course will have 2 main projects during the year and then you have a choice of what you want to do your last one on, off a test paper. Marking wise it will be 30%, 30% then 40% for the final piece of work.
It also goes into the history of photography and allows you to see and review other photographers work that you probably wouldnt have come into contact with. I probably could have done my Btec (A-Level equivilant) without the GCSE but having done the GCSE I know what to expect from the Btec and will be starting it in September, it is ALOT more indepth.
In my class I would say the ages were from 18 to about late 50's and everyone really got on. Like has been said you would be better talking to the College or people that have taken the course than people that havn't. I done mine in the Ballymena Campus, you would probably be looking at Magherafelt?
It also goes into the history of photography and allows you to see and review other photographers work that you probably wouldnt have come into contact with. I probably could have done my Btec (A-Level equivilant) without the GCSE but having done the GCSE I know what to expect from the Btec and will be starting it in September, it is ALOT more indepth.
In my class I would say the ages were from 18 to about late 50's and everyone really got on. Like has been said you would be better talking to the College or people that have taken the course than people that havn't. I done mine in the Ballymena Campus, you would probably be looking at Magherafelt?
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You can learn everything you need to about how to use a camera on the Internet or in books. You don't need some bloke with a beard and a tweed jacket with leather elbows to show you the easy parts 
You can learn everything you need to about how to use a camera on the Internet or in books. You don't need some bloke with a beard and a tweed jacket with leather elbows to show you the easy parts
Its more about your fellow class mates, the set projects (that get you out of your comfort zone) and a class room environment than it is by your teacher..... the guy that took mine did have a beard and a leather jacket thou
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- Edward Bray
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I did an A' level in 1994 for a bit of inspiration and with some of my unused photographs from the A' level projects I paid an additional fee and entered them for a GCSE. It meant taking a relatively easy exam and I got another qualification under my belt.
If you have a bit of photographic knowledge then the A' level may be a better bet, if not then the GCSE will certainly be a good place to start!
If you have a bit of photographic knowledge then the A' level may be a better bet, if not then the GCSE will certainly be a good place to start!
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lol
I agree with what your saying
I agree with what your saying
Its more about your fellow class mates, the set projects (that get you out of your comfort zone) and a class room environment than it is by your teacher..... the guy that took mine did have a beard and a leather jacket thou
Merc
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Just my opinion....Not worth a lot i know!
I started an A level course and found it to be a complete waste of time. There were 34 of us to start with and by the time i threw the towel in there were only about 8 left on the course.
There were complete novices and some who knew all the technical stuff. The complete novices learnt more from the more experienced students than the tutor and the more experienced ones learnt nothing and were forced to copy work such as Cindy Sherman (Who's work personally bores me stupid)
I think you'll learn more by putting your pics up on here and asking for honest critique, as well as asking questions and reading books.
Good luck.
I started an A level course and found it to be a complete waste of time. There were 34 of us to start with and by the time i threw the towel in there were only about 8 left on the course.
There were complete novices and some who knew all the technical stuff. The complete novices learnt more from the more experienced students than the tutor and the more experienced ones learnt nothing and were forced to copy work such as Cindy Sherman (Who's work personally bores me stupid)
I think you'll learn more by putting your pics up on here and asking for honest critique, as well as asking questions and reading books.
Good luck.
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- Slartibartfast.
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Ask the college for a copy of the syllabus.