What exam tips are there for Content of Art and Design: Photography (H603) — Skills? (2)

Use the preparatory period for the Externally set task to research, plan, and develop ideas, as these cannot be amended during the 15-hour supervised time.

What exam tips are there for Content of Art and Design: Photography (H603) — Skills? (3)

Select and present work carefully to ensure evidence of all assessment objectives is clear for the moderator.

What mistakes should I avoid in Content of Art and Design: Photography (H603) — Skills?

Lack of clear distinction between the related study and contextual research embedded in the practical portfolio.

What are common errors in Content of Art and Design: Photography (H603) — Skills exams? (2)

Failure to provide evidence of all four assessment objectives across the submission as a whole.

Content of Art and Design: Photography (H603) — Skills

OCR

A-Level

The Photography (H603) specialism requires learners to explore, research, and acquire techniques in photographic media, including traditional and/or digital methods. Learners must demonstrate specialisation in particular media or processes to allow for depth of study, while developing drawing skills appropriate to recording and communicating intentions in a photographic context.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

The 'Skills' component of OCR A-Level Art and Design: Photography (H603) is the foundation of your personal investigation and externally set task. It encompasses the technical, creative, and analytical abilities you must demonstrate to achieve high marks. This includes camera handling, composition, lighting, digital editing, and the ability to experiment with processes like cyanotypes or photomontage. Mastering these skills allows you to translate your creative vision into compelling visual outcomes, showing examiners your proficiency and artistic growth.

Skills are assessed across all four assessment objectives (AOs): developing ideas (AO1), experimenting with media (AO2), recording observations (AO3), and creating personal responses (AO4). You need to show a range of techniques—from manual camera controls (aperture, shutter speed, ISO) to post-production in software like Adobe Photoshop. Crucially, skills must be applied purposefully to support your thematic intentions, not just demonstrated in isolation. For example, using shallow depth of field to isolate a subject can convey intimacy or focus, while high contrast black-and-white editing might evoke drama or nostalgia.

In the wider context of the course, skills are the toolkit you build over time. They enable you to explore photographers like Cindy Sherman (narrative through mise-en-scène) or Ansel Adams (zone system for tonal range). Strong skills also underpin your ability to refine and present a coherent portfolio. Without them, even the most creative ideas fall flat. This topic is therefore critical for achieving top marks, as it directly influences the quality of your final pieces and the depth of your experimentation.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.
AO2: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops.
AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress.
AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements.

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.
AO2: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops.
AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress.
AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Ensure the related study is separate and clearly identifiable from the contextual research in the practical portfolio.
💡Use the preparatory period for the Externally set task to research, plan, and develop ideas, as these cannot be amended during the 15-hour supervised time.
💡Select and present work carefully to ensure evidence of all assessment objectives is clear for the moderator.
💡Use the 'best-fit' approach when applying marking criteria, rewarding achievement rather than penalising omissions.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Lack of clear distinction between the related study and contextual research embedded in the practical portfolio.
Failure to provide evidence of all four assessment objectives across the submission as a whole.
Insufficient evidence of drawing skills appropriate to the photographic specialism.
Inadequate acknowledgement of source material in the related study bibliography.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Develop

Explore

Select

Record

Reflect

Present

Realise

Analyse

Evaluate

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Content of Art and Design: Photography (H603) — Skills

Topic Overview

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in OCR A-Level Art and Design

Approaches

Component 01: Personal investigation

Component 02: Externally set task

Content of A Level in Art and Design (H600-H606)

Content of Art and Design: Photography (H603) — Skills

Topic Overview

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

What camera settings should I use for portrait photography?

How do I improve my composition in photography?

What is the best way to learn Photoshop for A-Level Photography?

How important is it to experiment with different photographic processes?

Can I use my phone camera for my A-Level Photography portfolio?

How do I write annotations for my photography experiments?

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in OCR A-Level Art and Design

Approaches

Component 01: Personal investigation

Component 02: Externally set task

Content of A Level in Art and Design (H600-H606)