WJEC GCSE Photography is a creative, practical subject that helps you develop skills you’ll use far beyond school. It’s not just about taking photos, it is about learning how to communicate ideas, tell stories, and express opinions through images. Throughout the course you will be introduced to photography, exploring both traditional and digital techniques. You will develop technical and creative skills in camera operation, composition, lighting, and image editing while investigating a range of genres such as portraiture, landscape, documentary, and experimental photography.
Throughout the Photography GCSE course you will:
- Learn how to use digital cameras and photographic equipment confidently
- Edit and improve images using industry-standard software
- Explore themes and develop your own creative ideas
- Learn to manipulate images both physically and digitally
- Research photographers and artists and analyse their work
- Plan, create, and refine projects over time
- Produce exciting visual outcomes
- Experiment with Photography as a visual medium
Assessment Overview
GCSE Photography is assessed through coursework and a practical exam, with a strong emphasis on creative work rather than a final written exam. However, there is an expectation that you will annotate your work and complete some written elements alongside your practical work.
- Component 1: Portfolio (60%) Students produce a sustained portfolio of work showing skills development, experimentation, research, and a final outcome. This work is completed during lesson time and through independent study from September of Year 10 to January of Year 11. This begins with technical workshops and experimentation with DSLR's, iPads, photoediting software and traditional techniques like cyanotypes. Once you are confident in these and have built up a bank of skills you will be able to develop a personal project theme, reflecting your own interests and ideas.
- Component 2: Externally Set Assignment (40%) In this component you will respond to a theme set by WJEC and develop ideas through research, planning, and practical work. The ESA is in effect a mini project, with the same format as the coursework portfolio. It is design for you to succeed and really show what you have learned across the course. At the end of the ESA preparation period (January to April) you will complete a final piece in a 10 hour exam. This is a piece that you can practise and develop beforehand. You will then have 2 days in the art department (10 hours) to bring your project to an ambitious final conclusion.
Both components are marked by your teacher, then externally moderated. Your teacher will give you feedback and ideas throughout that will help you meet the assessment criteria which involve:
- Creativity and originality
- Technical skill and use of equipment
- Development of ideas and problem-solving
- Understanding of photographers and artists
- The ability to review and refine work
In today’s digital world, photography is everywhere: from social media and advertising to news, film, and gaming. This makes it a highly relevant, exciting and engaging subject. Photography GCSE helps students develop:
- Creativity and visual communication skills
- Problem-solving and independent thinking
- Organisation and time management
- Digital and technical skills
- Confidence in presenting ideas and opinions
Progression, career opportunities & the creative industries
GCSE Photography provides a strong foundation for further study at sixth form or college and supports progression into a wide range of creative and digital careers, including:
- Commercial photography (media, events, fashion, sports, wildlife, freelance)
- Graphic design and digital art
- Photojournalism, film, television, and media production
- Marketing and advertising
- Social media and content creation
- Games design and creative technologies
- Many other Art, design, and creative industries such as animation, special effects and videography.
The possibilities in the creative industries are huge. It is estimated that there are 2.4 million jobs in this sector in the UK alone. A creative pathway may lead you onto a job that you didn't know existed!