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Photography

Miss. F.
Liddiard

Head of Faculty
Photography

The Ferndown Upper School Photography Department is a friendly and engaging place where students can express themselves creatively in a technically challenging and highly rewarding medium. Those who are inclined towards science and maths often enjoy the technical dimensions; while for those who may struggle to draw, photography provides a chance to be visually creative.

We find that our students tend to like learning practical skills. Smart phones have “de-skilled” photography, but our students learn to focus ‘analogue’ 35mm SLR cameras manually, use lighting and tripods, load film and develop their own dark room prints. Subjects like photography have immense value for teenagers as a balance for other parts of the curriculum where words and numbers count so highly. Photography is where art and science meet, so it can help students to think outside subject confines.

Photography is universal and many of us use it daily. Kodak once told consumers to “always carry a camera”. Now teenagers carry their smart phone at all times. Studying Photography at Ferndown helps students broaden their horizons; our culture of constant selfies and Tiktok or YouTube uploads has its dangers: safeguarding risks, egocentrism, over-sharing and the over-documentation of events inhibiting our ability to remember them. Learning photography can counteract these risks, as students learn to appreciate the merits of being behind the camera instead of always in front of it.

Meet the Photography Department

Miss. F.
Liddiard

Photography Teacher

Mr. T.
Flynn

Photography Technician

Curriculum Overview

Please rotate your device to landscape to view the Curriculum for years 9, 10 and 11.

Autumn 1
Autumn 2
Spring 1
Spring 2
Summer 1
Summer 2

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

Not taken until option choices start at the end of Year 9

Start of GCSE course.

 

History of Photography, Darkroom Induction. Hidden Identity Project. Photoshop Induction.

SPACES PROJECT #1: Hidden Spaces

SPACES PROJECT #1: Hidden Spaces

SPACES PROJECT #2: Evidence of Human Presence

SPACES PROJECT #2: Evidence of Human Presence

SPACES PROJECT #3: Fantasy Landscapes

SPACES PROJECT #3: Fantasy Landscapes

Leading Lines 35mm darkroom project

Narrative photography

Narrative Music CD design

External Exam Project (40% of grade)

External Exam Project: 10 hour Final Exam

Coursework Completion (60% of grade)

Extra-Curricular Opportunities & Enrichment

After school photography club each week for GCSE students to catch up with coursework, to use the studio for photoshoots or to experiment new Photoshop or darkroom techniques. From September 2026 photography students will share access to a new Media Studies ‘Cabin’ where they will be able to explore the use of green screen to extend their work into video production.

Careers Links

As a photography student, you will have gained skills highly valued by employers in the art and design careers sectors, such as creativity, a good eye for effective composition, a strong visual awareness and a competent technical knowledge of the latest version of Adobe Photoshop. Besides professional photography, careers directly linked to photography studies include: graphic design, media/TV/film production, animation, advertising, photojournalism and digital marketing.

Pathways Example Post 16 – Apprenticeship Ideas

• Photography Assistant – Photography assistants help photographers plan, set up, and complete photo sessions in their studios or at other worksites. This entry-level role involves helping customers, preparing photos for distribution, configuring and operating photo equipment, and offering creative and technical advice to the photographer.
• Digital Marketing – If you’re interested in social media, product photography, or marketing
• Fashion Studio Assistant
• Apprentice Customer Service, Admin and Marketing Assistant – You might be responsible for answering emails and updating the customer database with any contact that has been made. You may be calling customers and logging all customer related activities in the database. The marketing side of the role involves social media promotions, video editing, photography work, and networking with other businesses.

Pathways Example Post 18 – University degrees

There are lots of varied photography degree courses (Usually BA Hons (Bachelor of Arts honours) degrees), as well as courses that combine photography with other subjects.
These include: Photography, commercial photography, fashion photography, documentary photography, marine and natural history photography, fashion branding and communication, photography and moving Image, film and visual effects technology (BSc), Specialist Hair and Media Make-up. Animation, Film and Screen Studies and Graphic Design & Photography.

For more information visit the UCAS Undergraduate Search page for courses involving photography – see link below.

Useful Information for Parents