This qualification is aimed at individuals wishing to develop an understanding of photographic processes and the photo imaging industry. The qualification allows learners to understand and develop skills enabling them to take and manipulate images using a range of equipment, techniques and image processing software.
Learners will learn the basics of safe working practices and have the opportunity to explore in detail the following areas of photography: dark room, studio, location, commercial, documentary and experimental and alternative processes.
Learners will also gain knowledge and understanding of the different roles and employment opportunities available within the photo imaging industry. They’ll gain a basic understanding of the legislation relevant to photographic practice, including copyright, intellectual property and photographers rights. This will help prepare learners for progression into employment or further learning.
The objective of this qualification is to support learners to progress into employment or self-employment within the industry, or onto further qualifications at Level 3 in creative subjects such as photography, art and design, craft, animation and moving image production.
This qualification consists of 3 core units.
Learners must also choose at least one unit from the following optional units:
Who is this qualification designed for?
This qualification is suitable for learners aged pre-16 and above. This qualification is designed for a wide range of learners who wish to gain an understanding of photographic techniques and the photo imaging sector. These may be learners who wish to access this qualification with a view to progressing onto further qualifications, employment or self-employment, or to complement other qualifications within apprenticeship frameworks in the creative sector.
There are no specific entry requirements for this qualification.
What could this qualification lead to?
The qualification supports progression into employment or self- employment, or progression within employment for the following job roles and workers:
Total Qualification Time (TQT): 160
Guided learning hours (GLH): 120
Resource requirements
To assist in the delivery of this qualification, centres should provide learners with access to appropriate equipment for digital/film photography to meet the requirements of this specification
How the qualification is assessed
Assessment is the process of measuring a candidate’s skill, knowledge and understanding against the standards set in a qualification. The Level 2 Certificate in Photography is internally assessed.
Internal assessment
Each candidate must create a portfolio of evidence which demonstrates achievement of all the learning outcomes and assessment criteria associated with each unit. On completion of each unit candidates must declare that the work produced is their own. The Assessor must countersign this. Examples of suitable evidence for the portfolio for each unit are provided in the Handbook.
The main pieces of evidence for the portfolio could include (in no particular order):
Moderation
Moderation is the process by which we confirm that assessment decisions in centres are:
We do this through:
external moderation – which we carry out through our External Moderators who, by supporting you, will make sure that assessments meet nationally agreed standards and that your quality assurance systems continue to meet our centre approval criteria.
The LMA Level 3 Diploma in Photography meets the definition of a technical qualification as it provides the knowledge, understanding and skills in photography to progress to higher education or employment.
This qualification has been designed to encourage learners aged 16+ to develop their skills in:
The purpose of the qualification is described by its aims and objectives which are provided in the qualification specification.
The qualification aims to:
Learners who achieve these qualifications could progress to:
Total Qualification Time (TQT)730
Guided Learning Hours (GLH)384
Achieving these qualifications
To be awarded the Level 3 Diploma in Photography, learners must achieve a minimum of 5 units from Group A, 2 units from Group B and 2 units from Group C.
Group A
Use camera techniques to creatively control visual outcomes
Print and present a portfolio of photographs
Plan and complete a photographic project
Safety in the workplace for photography
Awareness of employment in the creative media sector
Group B
Image processing, manipulation and storage
The history of photography
Image documentation and storage
Group C
Studio photography
Documentary photography
Location photography
Portrait photography
Experimental photographic imaging
Resource requirements
To assist in the delivery of this qualification, centres should provide learners with access to appropriate equipment for digital/film photography to meet the requirements of this specification
How the qualification is assessed
Assessment is the process of measuring a candidate’s skill, knowledge and understanding against the standards set in a qualification. The Level 3 Certificate in Photography is internally assessed.
Internal assessment
Each candidate must create a portfolio of evidence which demonstrates achievement of all the learning outcomes and assessment criteria associated with each unit. On completion of each unit candidates must declare that the work produced is their own. The Assessor must countersign this. Examples of suitable evidence for the portfolio for each unit are provided in the Handbook.
The main pieces of evidence for the portfolio could include (in no particular order):
Moderation
Moderation is the process by which we confirm that assessment decisions in centres are:
We do this through:
external moderation – which we carry out through our External Moderators who, by supporting you, will make sure that assessments meet nationally agreed standards and that your quality assurance systems continue to meet our centre approval criteria.