Photographic and digital media is an exciting elective course that is available to students in Year 11 and 12. It provides opportunities for students to build upon their knowledge and understanding of contemporary artistic practices that make use of Photography, Video and Digital imaging. The course also extends their knowledge of the theoretical components of Visual Arts including the frames, artist practice and the conceptual framework using digital photography.
Students learn to use professional digital SLR cameras. They also learn procedures and techniques in digital manipulation and photo editing using industry standard programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom.
Students develop their research skills, approaches to experimentation and how to make informed personal choices and judgements through studying a wide range of photographic and digital media artists and their work. It is compulsory for students to record procedures and activities about their making practice in their Photography Process Diary (PPD).
Stage 6
Course Duration: Photographic and digital media elective can be studied for 200 hours in Stage 6 (Years 11 and 12).
The weighting of this course is 70% practical and 30% theory.
Pre-requisites: Nil.
Equipment required: Photographic Process Diary (PPD), USB.
In Years 11 and 12, photographic and digital media an excursion is planned during the year to specific art and photography exhibitions related to the unit of work being studied. This may include the Head On Photo Festival, Art Express, World Press Photo, Biennale of Sydney.
- 2 units preliminary or HSC
- board endorsed
- non-ATAR
Modules include:
- Introduction to the field of Photography
- Developing a point of view
- Traditions, conventions, styles, and genres
- Manipulated digital forms
- The Arranged Image
- Major Personal Photography Project
- An Occupational Health and Safety Module is mandatory.
Each module includes reference to concepts associated with interpreting the world, developing subject matter and the exploration of different techniques. These fields of artistic practice resonate with students’ experience and understanding of the world and are highly relevant to contemporary ways of interpreting the world.
Photographic and digital media at Kiama High School
Here are some examples of our students' photographic works.
Year 11
The Year 11 Photography, video and digital imaging course is highly practical based. The course is designed to enable students to gain increasing skill and independence in their representation of ideas in photography and digital imaging and to understand and value how these fields of practice invite different interpretations and explanations. Students learn to operate a DSLR camera effectively and experiment with manual settings through explorations of motion, movement, and light. The course is highly interactive, engaging, and experimental.
Year 12
The Year 12 photography, video and digital imaging course builds upon the skills and knowledge gained in the Year 11 course.
A more conceptual course, students each develop a major project in their chosen field of photography, video and/or digital media. Students are expected to explore a chosen theme and develop a series of works that come together as a whole project. As such, students learn to become more independent and reflective of the processes undertaken and their approach to photography, video and/or digital imaging.
