Photography - Level 3 – South Staffordshire College (2024)

Is this course for you?

The photography Level 3 Diploma is an exciting course designed to develop essential skills and understanding in photographic disciplines. It provides a firm base for those wishing to follow a career in photography. The full award is equivalent to three A-Levels and you will also have the opportunity to document your progression into Higher Education or employment via portfolio building and delivered assignments.

Please note that students may be required to purchase small items of personal equipment (such as photography paper, roll film, portable USB) during the course. Prices and details will be available from your course tutor near the start of the course. Although this is not a necessity, it is highly recommended that during the course students invest in a digital stills camera. Additional costs may be required to cover study visits to local, national and international galleries and museums.

Required qualifications

4 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including a creative subject and one of which must be either English or maths.

Full Level 2 Diploma in a Creative subject (Merit) with interview & portfolio and English functional Skills Level 1.

A portfolio of your work will be examined at interview as well as actual/predicted qualifications to assess suitability and skill level required.

A real desire to develop your creative skills and become part of creative culture.

What skills will I develop?

You will learn how to:

• Shoot film and print in a professional darkroom.
• Use studio lighting and edit images to a professional standard in Photoshop
• Make images using exciting alternative processes and artistic techniques.
• Interpret, develop and use visual language.
• Select and use appropriate media techniques and technology to create images (2-D) and objects (3-D).
• Generate work to meet assignment briefs.
• Reference the work of artists and designers, both historical and contemporary.
• Develop skills in relation to professional practice.
• Work as part of a team.

Careers

The course will lead you towards employment or to Higher Education.

Some examples of jobs that the course leads to include:

• Self-employed photographer
• Wedding photographer
• Commercial photographer
• Reportage photographer
• Product photographer
• Fashion photographer
• Fine art photographer
• Photography assistant
• Processing lab technician
• Social media officer

Work experience

Our dedicated work experience team are here to help and support you in finding a meaningful work experience opportunity.

Recent studies have shown that employers consider work experience to be extremely desirable. Whilst qualifications are hugely important, employers also require candidates to have skills and experience necessary for the workplace.

Preparing you for the working world is very important to us, so that you may be successful in your next step.

Work experience placements provide you with the opportunity to develop your skills; have a better understanding of the industry you want to work in and give you an insight into what it is like to be employed. They can also be great fun and very rewarding and you may even be offered a great reference, a part–time job, holiday working hours, apprenticeships or full-time jobs.

Once you start your course you will be provided with further information about work experience programmes, but it is never too early for you to start thinking about work experience placements and finding an employer who will offer you an opportunity.

Work experience is an opportunity for you to gain experience in your chosen career path in order to develop relevant skills. Equally, it also helps you to acquire employability skills, attitudes and behaviours that are essential for future employment. There will be an opportunity for you to reflect on your performance during work experience and you will receive some form of reference/feedback from the employer.

English and maths

Student who are yet to achieve a level 4 in maths or English will have the opportunity to attend sessions that lead to the GCSE exam in the subject. You will undertake online learning in maths and English during tutorial sessions. You will therefore maintain the skills and knowledge you have already learned at school and extend and deepen that knowledge.

Maths and English is also an integral part of all taught sessions during the production of your creative work and you will be encouraged to appreciate the importance of maths and English within the photography profession.