GCSE Photography at Brampton College: Capture Moments, Create Meaning, Tell Visual Stories
Do you enjoy taking pictures on your smart phone? Perhaps you even use a camera? Or do you simply like looking at striking visual images and are curious about trying to make them yourself?
At Brampton College, our GCSE Photography course is an exciting and immersive one-year programme that blends creative exploration with teaching of technical skills. You’ll learn how to compose striking images, develop your own visual identity, and express powerful ideas through digital and analogue techniques.
Whether you’re aiming for A Level Photography, building a portfolio for a creative career, or simply want to master the art of seeing, this course lays the foundation for confident, expressive photographic work.
Why Study GCSE Photography at Brampton College?
Develop Technical and Creative Expertise
Our course guides you through the full photographic process, from understanding lighting,
aperture, and shutter speed to using Photoshop and other digital tools. You’ll gain the ability to produce compelling, professional-standard work.
Express Your Unique Vision
Students are encouraged to develop a personal style and voice. You’ll respond to themes and issues that matter to you, whether political, social, or personal, while exploring how photographers tell stories visually.
London’s Galleries Become Your Classroom
Brampton students visit major photography exhibitions and galleries throughout the year, from the Tate Modern to the Photographers’ Gallery, gaining firsthand inspiration from iconic and emerging visual artists.
Pathway to A Level and Creative Careers
Many of our GCSE Photography students progress to A Level Photography at Brampton, building exceptional portfolios for competitive university and foundation courses in Art, Design, and Media.
What You’ll Study: GCSE Photography
Photography at Brampton follows a rigorous and imaginative curriculum designed to build strong technical skills, artistic depth, and conceptual thinking. Students are taught in small groups with access to professional cameras, lighting, and editing software.
Core Areas of Study:
● Portraiture and Studio Photography
● Documentary and Photojournalism
● Location Photography and Landscape
● Experimental Photography and Installation
● Still Life and Object-Based Composition
● Darkroom and Digital Editing
● Visual Elements: Line, tone, colour, texture, shape, form, composition, contrast, and surface
● Technical Skills: Aperture, depth of field, shutter speed, ISO, lighting techniques, and digital enhancement
Assessment and Examination Structure
GCSE Photography is assessed through two components, both focused on portfolio-based development and final pieces:
Component 1: Personal Portfolio (60% of Final Grade)
Students produce a sustained body of work exploring a personal theme or idea. This includes:
● Research and investigation
● Photography sketchbooks or digital journals
● Contact sheets and editing notes
● Final prints or display pieces
Component 2: Externally Set Assignment (40% of Final Grade)
This is a creative response to a theme issued by the exam board. Students:
● Explore and plan ideas in a preparatory portfolio
● Complete a 10-hour supervised final shoot or creation
● Are assessed on creative development, experimentation, and outcome
No written exam is required, students are evaluated based on their creative process and visual outcomes.
Skills You’ll Build
Studying GCSE Photography at Brampton helps you develop:
● Camera control and lighting techniques
● Post-production and digital editing skills
● Visual storytelling and narrative construction
● Analytical thinking through artist research and critique
● Time management and project planning
● Personal voice and independent artistic identity
These skills support progression into creative A Levels, foundation diplomas, and careers in photography, fashion, media, film, and visual communications.
Who Should Study GCSE Photography?
GCSE Photography is ideal for students who:
● Love taking photos and want to learn how to do it professionally
● Are interested in art, design, visual media, or journalism
● Want to build a strong, creative portfolio for A Level or university applications
● Enjoy expressing ideas visually and conceptually
● Are looking for a creative subject to balance academic courses
Future Opportunities with GCSE Photography
GCSE Photography at Brampton College is the launchpad for exciting careers in the visual and creative industries. Many of our students continue to study A Level Photography, Fine Art, or Media Studies, and go on to secure places at top UK art schools and universities such as:
● Central Saint Martins (UAL)
● London College of Communication
● Goldsmiths University
● Falmouth University
● University for the Creative Arts (UCA)
● Kingston School of Art Possible future careers include:
● Commercial or Editorial Photographer
● Art Director or Creative Director
● Fashion or Product Photographer
● Photojournalist or Documentary Filmmaker
● Digital Content Creator
● Visual Merchandiser or Gallery Curator
Whether you’re capturing portraits, composing landscapes, or exploring abstraction, Photography gives you the power to express, challenge, and inspire.
