Photography
Unleash your creativity with AQA A-Level Photography, a dynamic course blending traditional darkroom techniques with modern digital photography. This program offers an exciting opportunity to explore the art of image-making, developing both technical expertise and artistic vision.
Through hands-on experimentation, you’ll master a variety of photographic processes, including digital editing, film-based photography, and the craft of darkroom development. Experience the magic of analogue photography as you learn to process film, make contact sheets, and produce stunning prints using enlargers and chemical techniques.
Course Highlights
- Film Shoots at Brighton Seafront
Capture the energy and character of this iconic location, exploring themes like light, movement, and narrative. - Darkroom Development
Master the craft of processing film, enlarging negatives, and creating evocative black-and-white prints. - Continue to learn new Photoshop skills and print large colour images
- Extend use of digital SLR and a variety of lenses
- Study an aspect of photography you particularly enjoy and write an illustrated essay
Key components of the course include:
- Component 1: Personal Investigation
Develop a portfolio on a theme of your choice, incorporating research, experimentation, and written reflection. - Component 2: Externally Set Assignment
Respond to a brief set by AQA, with preparatory work leading to a final piece created under timed conditions.
No prior experience is required, but a passion for photography and creativity is essential. By the end of the course, you will be equipped with the skills, confidence, and critical understanding to progress to higher education or a career in the creative industries.
My photography course has helped me develop my organisation, photoshop and non-digital creative skills. In addition it has given me the opportunity to try out various photography styles and techniques with a range of resources and amazing support from staff.
Maia Terry, Year 2 Photography A Level
Course Essentials
Courses Available
A Level
How The Course is Assessed
60% coursework, 40% externally set assignment
Career Pathways
Many students continue their studies through foundation courses and specialist photography degrees. Others take degree courses in subjects such as media, film, graphics, animation, illustration, fashion, advertising and fine art. The A Level could provide a gateway into a structured commercial career.
Transferable Skills
Creative visual and technical skills; transferable research skills; contemporary and historical subject knowledge and project development techniques.
Other Information
You must have your own 35mm Digital SLR camera and access to a 35mm SLR Film camera, and a tripod would be an advantage. Extra materials are available to buy in the College student shop. A3 paper and digital logbooks are used to record your progress and research.
Enquiries To
Dipak Gohil: dig@varndean.ac.uk
Staff Profiles
Dipak Gohil
Dipak Gohil, Programme Leader for Year 1 A level and GCSE Photography, boasts an extensive industry background, including having worked for many years as a freelance portrait photographer for the BBC. A Photography graduate of Westminster University, his artistic practice specialises in poetic Indian street imagery. His work has been recognised with a prestigious shortlist for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. For over 15 years, Dipak has dedicated himself to inspiring and nurturing aspiring photographers at Varndean College.
Gail Eastwood
I have taught A-Level Photography and Textiles at Varndean College for many years, and currently serve as the Photography Programme Leader for Year 2 and AS students. In addition to my teaching role at Varndean, I have worked as an Artist in Residence, a textile tutor for BA students, and continue to build my career as a freelance textile designer and photographer. Over the years, I have sold designs worldwide to renowned brands such as Kenzo, Nicole Farhi, Donna Karan, Hallmark Cards, and Marks & Spencer.
My work has been showcased in numerous exhibitions across London, New York, Milan, and throughout the UK, and I have also contributed as an Architectural Photographer for two prominent magazines. In 2000, I was honoured as ‘Innovative Textile Designer of the Year’ at New Designers, an award that included a presentation to the Queen at an exhibition in Milan.
I have also completed several major commissions for hospitals, and my work has been featured in a variety of publications. The foundation of my practice lies in exploring the relationship between photographic imagery and the drawn mark. By blending traditional and modern technologies, I create a wide range of work—ranging from simple, single-colour line drawings to intricate, full-colour reproductions—each reflecting a unique interplay of technique and concept.
Richard Gaskill
Rob Macdonald
Rob Macdonald teaches Graphic Design and Photography. He is a photographer and has exhibited internationally, in the USA and Italy, as well as in group and solo exhibitions in London and here in Brighton. He has work published in DOCU magazine and featured on SEEZEEN. He has a Masters in Design from Edinburgh College of Art and has been teaching for over 25 years. Rob is also head of Visual Arts at college.
Mia Carey
Mia Carey, a former Varndean student, has a deep appreciation for the magic of analogue photography and can often be seen with her trusty 35mm film camera. She followed her passion for photography to UWE Bristol, earning a First-Class Degree, before returning to Varndean as a technician and reconnecting with the place where her love for image-making first took root. Since then, Mia has advanced her professional development by completing her teacher training and by exhibiting locally.
Enrichments
Portfolio Builder
This is an option for Year 2 students who are applying to University or a Foundation Course, who need to put a portfolio of work together. It helps support the students to apply the guidelines given by the specific course, and save the portfolio in the correct format. Students are shown previous online portfolios, and we discuss taking photographs of their work gathered from across different art disciplines, inputting the images, and designing the portfolio.
Art Enrichment
Art Enrichment encourages learners to expand their critical thinking and industry knowledge and to become clearer about their progression plans by being introduced to a range of artist practitioners. Participants will be inspired by meeting a range of professionals and hearing them talk about their life, work and ideas development. Regular visitors include Brighton artists; Murray Ballard, Photographer; Sarah Jones, Illustrator; Jon Mills, Sculptor and Andrew Gifford, Painter. These talks also include some local university and college presentations.
Alumni Success
Caleb Yule
Caleb Yule, a film director, is among the distinguished alumni of Varndean College. Varndean has a great tradition of celebrating the achievements of its former students who have pursued notable careers in various fields. Caleb’s focus upon his technical photographic development during his time as an A Level photography student has positively informed his award winning filmmaking skills.
Creative Arts Showcase 2024
Varndean College’s annual Creative Arts Showcase is a dynamic and vibrant celebration of the outstanding creativity and diverse talents of the year’s graduating students. It features live music, dance and drama performances, interactive gaming and film screenings, alongside exhibitions of 3D design, textiles, graphic design, art and photography.
International Trips
Visual Arts love to go on international trips, most recently we’ve been to Paris, Madrid and Berlin. Our artists, designers and photographers return from visits abroad with well-used sketchbooks, hundreds of photographs and many new and creative ideas to develop in their projects back at college.