USOnline GCSE Photography Course – Support and Revision
Sharp Shots GCSE photography course targets the fundamentals needed for supporting the AQA GCSE photography curriculum, helping develop a wide range of core skills, analytical thought, critical thinking, problem solving and additionally helping identify important curriculum topics so that you can target your course work and revision.
Over 3000 students have successfully completed our online photography courses since 2018
Course Key Points:
- Lifetime Access
- 12 photography tuition lesson modules
- The course covers all topics from the AQA GCSE photography curriculum
- Advanced photographic technical skills including shutter speed, aperture and ISO
- Learn more about the History of Photography
- Ideas and inspiration for the end of year project
- On-demand video tuition
- Worksheets, tasks and quizzes for each GCSE photography module
- Facebook Group to post and receive expert feedback
- Email and telephone support
Revision and Resources with Sharp Shots GCSE Photography
Photography for GCSE is increasingly popular choice. It encourages the exploration of photography as an artistic medium. It combines well with more traditional subjects such as the sciences, providing a hands on outlet for creativity. An online photography GCSE course is a great way for creative minds to visually communicate ideas and can be a useful addition to a student’s portfolio of qualifications helping to secure admission to Art College or University
Students will develop and explore creative and imaginative ideas and develop their practical and technical skills using cameras and editing software to communicate and express ideas, feelings and meanings in digital photography.
Additionally, students taking our online photography GCSE course will develop investigative, analytical, experimental and interpretative capabilities, aesthetic understanding and critical skills. Enhancing their knowledge and understanding of photography in contemporary societies and in other times and cultures.
Sharp Shots Photography for GCSE
Photography offers a highly creative and hands-on alternative to other subjects and is becoming increasingly popular for GCSE. Great to combine with more traditional subjects, providing an outlet for creativity.
Your teacher
Sharp Shots Founder, Lillie, is a successful photographer and educator. She has written a photography tuition book for Harper Collins and been commissioned for photography worshops by high-profile clients such as The BBC, The Royal Palaces, The Photographers Gallery and many more.
She has helped many students successfully achieve their GCSE in photography.
She gained her photography degree and then became a photo journalist, she is now widely regarded for her enthusiastic and passionate approach as an educator. She is a natural teacher with over 20 year’s experience teaching photography to all ages from beginners to professional.
What to expect:
- Proficiency in using a DSLR camera
- Learn the manual setting and how to use the light meter
- Learning how to photograph in different settings and scenarios
- Developing an eye for a good photograph and understanding of the history of photography
Testimonials
Who?
- Creative individuals taking GCSE Photography
- Young photographers who are looking to build on existing knowledge to higher level
- Teens hoping to progress a career in photography – taking to the next level
- Teachers & Schools who are looking for a support & revision photography course for their GCSE students
- Home learning students taking GCSE photography.
What?
- How a camera works
- How to compose a great photo
- Semi-manual & Manual camera settings
- Understanding the light meter
- Contrast and tones
- Zoom & Lenses
- Colour photography
- Aperture
- Shutter speed
- ISO
- Light and understanding it’s importance
- Black & white photography
- Building camera confidence
Teachers and Schools
If you are interested in purchasing our Online Photography GCSE course for classroom use or as a bulk purchase for your school, please email us here for our bulk purchase school rates
Course content detail
Welcome section
- WELCOME VIDEO FROM LILLIE
- WELCOME BOOKLET
Helpful Info Section - Loads of resources!
- PDF -Transferring Photographs from your camera to your computer
- PDF – How to join closed Facebook page
- PDF – How to upload your photos to our Facebook Group
- PDF – Which camera do I have?
- DOC – Links to camera manuals
Lesson 1. What is Photography
- LESSON VIDEO
- LESSON BOOKLET – downloadable
- VIDEO – our students photos
- QUIZ
- TROUBLESHOOTING – common problems and how to fix them
- PHOTO WORK – printable PDF to take out with you when photographing
In this module you will learn:
- The differnence between digital and traditional photography
- The types of digital cameras
- A variety of equipment that you may use when photographing
- Genres of photography
Lesson 2. Camera Settings
- LESSON VIDEO
- LESSON BOOKLET – downloadable
- VIDEO – our students photos
- QUIZ
- TROUBLESHOOTING – common problems and how to fix them
- PHOTO WORK – printable PDF to take out with you when photographing
In this module we will learn:
- The difference between digital and traditional photography
- The camera mode dial and the settings S or Tv, A or Av, P and M
- What the settings do and when to use them
Lesson 3. Focus and Zoom
- LESSON VIDEO
- LESSON BOOKLET – downloadable
- VIDEO – our students photos
- QUIZ
- TROUBLESHOOTING – common problems and how to fix them
- PHOTO WORK – printable PDF to take out with you when photographing
In this module you will learn:
- Focus and how to use it effectively
- How to select specific focus points to create layers in your photos
- How the zoom affects your photos
Lesson 4. Aperture - Keeping everything in focus
- LESSON VIDEO
- LESSON BOOKLET – downloadable
- VIDEO – our students photos
- QUIZ
- TROUBLESHOOTING – common problems and how to fix them
- PHOTO WORK – printable PDF to take out with you when photographing
In this module we will learn about the aperture and depth of field:
- Close up (macro) photos
- Portraits
- Storytelling
- Landscapes
- Buildings and Architecture
- Events and big groups of people
Lesson 5. Shutter Speed
- LESSON VIDEO
- LESSON BOOKLET – downloadable
- VIDEO – our students photos
- QUIZ
- TROUBLESHOOTING – common problems and how to fix them
- PHOTO WORK – printable PDF to take out with you when photographing
in this module we will be looking at:
- Capturing fast and slow movements
- Different camera modes like Shutter Speed Priority and Burst Mode
- Different photographic techniques using the shutter
Lesson 6. ISO
- LESSON VIDEO
- LESSON BOOKLET – downloadable
- VIDEO – our students photos
- QUIZ
- TROUBLESHOOTING – common problems and how to fix them
- PHOTO WORK – printable PDF to take out with you when photographing
In this module we will be looking at:
- What ISO is and how to use it
- How to use ISO to photograph events, museums and capturing natural light
Lesson 7. Light
- LESSON VIDEO
- LESSON BOOKLET – downloadable
- VIDEO – our students photos
- QUIZ
- TROUBLESHOOTING – common problems and how to fix them
- PHOTO WORK – printable PDF to take out with you when photographing
In this module we will look at:
- How to make your photographs lighter and darker through under and over exposure
- Natural and soft lighting
- How different lights change the colour of your photo and how to correct
- How to use flash
Lesson 8. Manual Photography
- LESSON VIDEO
- LESSON BOOKLET – downloadable
- VIDEO – our students photos
- QUIZ
- TROUBLESHOOTING – common problems and how to fix them
- PHOTO WORK – printable PDF to take out with you when photographing
In this module we will be looking at:
- How to set your shutter speed, aperture and ISO in manual mode
- Manually setting your light meter
- Different metering modes
Lesson 9. Composition
- LESSON VIDEO
- LESSON BOOKLET – downloadable
- VIDEO – our students photos
- QUIZ
- TROUBLESHOOTING – common problems and how to fix them
- PHOTO WORK – printable PDF to take out with you when photographing
In this module we will be looking at:
- Rule of thirds
- Rule of balance
- Rule of odds
- Rule of space
- Frming
- Leading Lines
- Perspective
Lesson 10. Colour vs Black & White
- LESSON VIDEO
- LESSON BOOKLET – downloadable
- VIDEO – our students photos
- QUIZ
- TROUBLESHOOTING – common problems and how to fix them
- PHOTO WORK – printable PDF to take out with you when photographing
In this module we will learn:
- The uses of clour and black & white photography
- How to use the colour settings in camera
- Using photoshop to manipulate the colour of an image
Lesson 11. Developing Photography Ideas
- LESSON VIDEO
- LESSON BOOKLET – downloadable
- VIDEO – our students photos
- QUIZ
- TROUBLESHOOTING – common problems and how to fix them
- PHOTO WORK – printable PDF to take out with you when photographing
In this module we will be learning:
- Why researching photographers and artists is important
- How to analyse an image
- How to photograph in a style of a photographer
Lesson 12. Producing a Photography project
- LESSON VIDEO
- LESSON BOOKLET – downloadable
- VIDEO – our students photos
- QUIZ
- TROUBLESHOOTING – common problems and how to fix them
- PHOTO WORK – printable PDF to take out with you when photographing
In this module you will learn to:
- Develop ideas for a photographic project
Congratulations and Next Steps
- VIDEO: Awesome Job!
- Congratulations & next steps
- Before you go…
Any Questions?
- Contact us
FAQs
1. Does it matter what camera I use for the Online Photography GCSE Course?
Absolutely not, we welcome all camera models and types. We use Nikon & Canon DSLR cameras on the course itself, but provide links to all camera manuals in the course material.
2. How long is the photography course for GCSE?
- The course has 8 fun, inspirational learning modules that can be completed in as little as 3 weeks or as long as 8 weeks. You can decide how quickly and slowly you’d like to move through the material.
3. Do I receive feedback on my images during the course?
We have created a GCSE closed facebook group open to our online GCSE photography course members. We encourage our students to post their photos every week so we can offer feedback on their images, answer any questions they may have and help them progress with their image taking.
4. What is the layout of the course?
There is a video, course information packet, quiz and print out booklet for every course module. Our course is packed with photography tips and tricks!
5. What do I receive at the end when I have completed the course?
Hurrah, well done! You will receive a certificate of completion and will have a wonderful portfolio of work to show off to friends and family. Parents – you will also now have a great photographer in the family to record your family holidays and birthdays!
6. Can I use this course for the skills section of my Duke of Edinburgh Award?
Our online photography course for GCSE is 12 weeks long and does meet the guidelines for your DofE skills section. However, we do run a less academic and shorter 12 week DofE photography skills courses online which meets all of the requirements. Click here to find out more
7. How does the teens intermediate online photography course differ from the beginners?
Moving on from our beginners course which focuses on auto and scene settings, our intermediate online photography course for teens explores semi manual modes such as aperture priority, shutter priority and program mode. Students can expect to improve camera control, boost confidence both creatively and technically, explore different types of photography and begin to establish their own unique style of work.
8. Must I complete the beginners course first?
The online photography for GCSE course is aimed at young people with some experience of photography taking GCSE photography, so the beginner course and Intermediate course are a great foundation if you feel you are quite new to the skill. However, they are not needed.
Any questions not covered here? Contact us.
Careers with GCSE Photography: Where Can It Take You?
GCSE Photography is an exciting subject that nurtures creativity, technical skills, and an eye for detail. But what career opportunities does it open up? While many think of photography as just taking pictures, the industry offers a wide range of roles in media, marketing, and the arts.
1. Professional Photographer
With further training, you could become a professional photographer specializing in fields like fashion, portrait, wedding, wildlife, or sports photography. Building a strong portfolio and gaining experience through internships or freelance work can help launch your career.
2. Photojournalism & Media
If storytelling through images interests you, photojournalism could be an exciting path. Newspapers, magazines, and online media outlets require skilled photographers to document events, capture human stories, and produce compelling visuals.
3. Graphic Design & Digital Media
Photography pairs well with digital design. Many designers use photography alongside software like Photoshop and Illustrator to create advertisements, social media content, and marketing campaigns. A GCSE in Photography can be a great first step into this field.
4. Film & Television
Cinematography and film production often require an understanding of composition, lighting, and framing—skills developed in GCSE Photography. You might explore careers in filmmaking, TV production, or video editing.
5. Marketing & Social Media
Brands and businesses constantly need high-quality images for social media, websites, and advertising. With additional skills in digital marketing, photography can be a great asset in roles like content creation and brand management.
What’s Next?
If you’re passionate about photography, consider A-levels, college courses, or apprenticeships to develop your skills further. Building a portfolio, gaining work experience, and networking are key steps to turning photography into a career.
Whether behind the camera or in a creative industry, GCSE Photography is a gateway to exciting opportunities and Sharp Shots online photography GCSE course can help you turbo charge your studies!
