Digital Photography Level 2

This course is suitable for students who want to develop skills in photography and a contextual understanding of own body of photographic work, with the view to progressing to Higher Education, or a career in photography.

The NCFE qualification consists of 3 core units of which 2 will be undertaken AND optional units of which a minimum of 1 must be undertaken.

Unit 01 - Core Unit: Explore photographic equipment, techniques, materials and resources

This Unit will give learners the opportunity to explore various areas of photography, and to identify and correctly access camera menus and settings to set relevant camera functions and adjustment of controls such as shutter speeds, aperture, white balance and focus different lenses. These will include the visual effects produced by the use of different lenses and shutter speeds.

The learners will produce a series of photographs exploring different photographic techniques. They will use image processing software to produce and evaluate a series of test images. They will also learn the basics of safe working practices. Unit 1 will feed into Unit 2.

Unit 02 - Core Unit: Develop and adapt photographic ideas

Using what they learned in Unit 1, learners will begin to experiment with various ways of creating a body of photographic work, backed with research of work of other photographers, and will be encouraged to make connections between that work and their own ideas. They will be able to describe the methods and visual language used by the chosen photographers, and use these as a foundation for their own photographic projects. Learners will identify resources needed and evaluate any health and safety requirements which may arise. Learners will record significant points of development in their work, will reflect on what they have done and make appropriate modifications in response to feedback and other factors.

Unit 03 - Core Unit: Introduction to the photo imaging industry (A/506/0071)

This unit will provide learners with knowledge and understanding of the different roles and employment opportunities available within the photo imaging industry. They will be able to describe the market for photographic images and have a basic understanding of associated legislation relevant to photographic practice. This will include copyright, intellectual property and photographers’ rights.

Optional units

• Location photography
• Commercial photography
• Documentary photography
• Presenting a portfolio of photographic images

Through completion of Unit 2, learners will have experimented, adapted and evolved ideas back up with contextual research. It is in this last unit that you will choose your specialty to produce a strong, coherent body of final imagery.

To achieve the NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Photography you must achieve a minimum of 16 credits – 3 units.

During your course, your Tutor/Assessor will ask you to carry out work either in the classroom, in your workplace or at home which you’ll keep as evidence of your learning. You will be offered practical demonstrations and lectures on different aspects of photography.

There will be a requirement for some work to be undertaken outside of the allocated course times.