Photography and Digital Imaging BTEC National Diploma

Course Overview
The photographic/media/communications industry is ever changing, meeting and adapting through necessity, new methods, technologies, applications, philosophies and social trends.
Photography now cuts across vast areas of the creative industries and artistic process. This course is for people who have a passion and enthusiasm for photography and who are keen to develop existing skills and extend their knowledge of creativity and practical image making.
You will be encouraged to develop as a photographer within the ethos of professional practice. Learning takes place in our photographic studio, darkrooms and digital facilities using professional standard equipment. The course will give you practical experience and knowledge of all the major areas of commercial and fine art photography via challenging live project briefs.
You will explore both traditional and digital methods of creating an image and will have the opportunity to access a wide range of well equipped facilities from basic and digital 35mm SLR cameras to medium format and professional quality negative scanners. All our equipment and digital imaging software is scrutinised by, and conforms to, industry expectations.

Course Structure
The course covers:

• Location Photography
• Portraiture
• Digital Manipulation
• Darkroom Practice
• Studio Techniques
• Commercial Photography
• Documentary Photography
• Photojournalism
• Experimental Image Making
• Visual Communication
• Historical and Contemporary Photographic Practice
• Personal and Professional Development

There will also be gallery visits and trips to locations for photographic study and practice.
We believe that it is important to support you so that you can pursue a future career in the photographic industry, so you will receive group and individual tutorial support to help keep you on track and, if needed, additional learning or language support is available.

Qualification Aims
BTEC National Diploma in Photography (equivalent to 3 A Levels)

Assessments/Examinations
Continuous assessment leading to a Final Major Project.

Cost / Equipment
Students over the age of 19 at the start of the course may have to pay tuition/registration fees although financial assistance may be available.

Start Date
September 2010

Requirement
4 GCSEs at Grade C or above, or an equivalent vocational qualification. Mature students without the formal entry requirements are encouraged to apply as experience and demonstration of commitment will be considered. You will be called in for an interview to which you should bring some pictures which you would like to talk about (these should be your own photographs or artwork, plus a scrapbook of images taken from magazines etc.).