To do an A-Level in Photography, you will need your own DSLR camera as much of the photography will be done off site and in your own time. A DSLR is a digital camera with a detachable lens, allowing for different kinds of lens-based photography. They also offer a far superior range of functions and image quality than a compact/bridge camera and would put the student at a huge advantage for success on the A level course. Sadly these are not cheap but new models are released all the time. The course will be using Canon and Sony Cameras so it may be an idea to look at these. The most affordable is a second hand Canon EOS 550D or 600D. These have a buy it now price on Ebay of around £150. Ideally, you would have at least two lens, perhaps an 18-35mm and a portrait lens such as a 50mm.

Equipment Extras

In addition to a camera you will need Photoshop to be able to work on your editing at home. Adobe Photoshop is now purchased as a subscription service at £8.99 a month. This ‘photography pack’ provides the latest version of the software with another package called ‘Lightroom’.  The professional ‘creative suite’ pack, that includes other Adobe products such as Illustrator and Indesign, costs £45 per month but is available with a student discount for £15 per month. You would not need this version for the photography course but it is worth noting in case the family could make good use of this!

With your camera you will need a decent memory card (4 or 8GB minimum). You will also need a tripod (these start at £30) and a proper bag/rucksack for your camera equipment. You can also buy DSLRs in starter packs that contain memory cards and bags. If you want to expand your capabilities you may also wish to look at lighting set ups, flashes, backdrops and macro or zoom lenses. This may be better done later in the course when you will have a better idea of the style of photography you wish to specialize in.

In Year 12 students produce digital portfolios so there is no sketchbook required at this time. A good memory stick for transferring files between home and school would also be important.

Further Reading

The following 6 books are not compulsory for the course but are highly recommended and cover in detail much of the knowledge required by the units of study:

1.     The Genius of Photography – by Gerry Badger. The accompanying book to the 6 part series on the history of photography that we will be studying at the start of the course. Full of incisive detail and great images.

2.     The Photo Book – by Ian Jeffrey. A large visual dictionary containing iconic images and brief introductions to the work of hundreds of photographers. A great source of inspiration when thinking of start points for ideas.

3.     Your camera manual. All cameras are different and although we will cover the generic basics of digital SLRs you must master your own camera and how to use all of its features. Manuals can be a dry read but your success on the course will require you to become very familiar with yours!

4.     How Digital Photography Works – by Ron White. There are hundreds of good books on the basics of digital photography, most will do the job fine. This one however if based on diagrams as much as text and is great for the visual learner!

5.     The Adobe Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers – by Scott Kelby (whatever the latest edition is). A really thorough yet user-friendly photoshop guide that contains a lot on Camera RAW as well as covering all the key areas of photoshop.

6.     The Digital Photography Book Vol 1-5 – by Scott Kelby. You can buy these individually or as a boxed set. Simple to read, written in bite-sized chunks and packed with great tips on improving your work.

Further Reading:

The Darkroom Handbook - by Michael Langford. Loads available on amazon for under a pound. The definitive darkroom guide for those who wish to focus on this side of the subject.

Professional Portrait Retouching Techniques for Photographers using Photoshop – by Scott Kelby.  Advanced yet easy to follow photoshop skills for all those wanting to work in detail on editing fashion and portrait photography.

The Photograph – by Graham Clarke and Photography, a critical introduction – by Liz Wells.  For those thinking of photography A2 and others who may be interested in following through on the contextual side, these 2 books offer an advanced yet fascinating set of essays on the key debates surrounding photography throughout its history.