Higher Certificate in Photography

Purpose

The one-year intensive training Higher Certificate in Photography provides learners with the technical and digital skills and conceptual and professional competence to cope with the demands in the photographic industry.

The qualification equips the learner with the ability to

• Provide opportunities for high-quality learning.
• Provide opportunities for access to lifelong learning pathways.
• Promote transformation within the field of commercial photography.
• Facilitate the development of the next generation of creative, technologically competent photographers who will produce exciting and relevant visual communication and set the benchmark for commercial photography in both higher education and the commercial photographic industries.
• Develop learners who reflect the principals of good citizenship.

Rationale

Digital photography has made photography more accessible to the general public than ever before. It has also made photography easier and cheaper for the end user which has resulted in more people being exposed to photography on an amateur level. This has increased the possibility for an individual to consider his current interest in photography as a possible means of creating an income.

In addition, the move to digital photography in the professional market has shifted a number of the post-production responsibilities, which were previously handled by the photo laboratories or reproduction agencies, to the professional photographer. This has created more work for professional photographers, which has, in turn, resulted in these photographers needing more assistants to help with the bigger workload. Photographs are also gaining more recognition in the decorative and interior design fields.

All these changes have created a demand for a photography qualification that is commercially orientated and that will provide the learner with a good foundation in photography and its related areas. This qualification will equip the learner with the necessary skills to enter the photographic arena either as an assistant or as an entrepreneur.

Areas of photography for which the learner will be equipped include, amongst others, weddings, functions, sports events, web-based images, picture libraries, news, portraits, fashion and food.

It is assumed that the learner enrolling for this qualification is competent in the language of instruction of the institution (English) and the general theoretical, practical, and academic knowledge accomplished at NQF Level 4.

The prospective learner must be able to express him/herself clearly and correctly in both verbal and written English.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL is applied for learners who do not have the formal academic achievement to gain access to a particular qualification, but with proven expertise and competency will be considered. Candidates may apply for exemption from certain modules on grounds of prior qualifications or relevant study.

Access to the Qualification

The qualification is open to any learner in possession of one of the following

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) giving access to Higher Education Certificate studies.
• National Certificate (Vocational) at NQF Level 4 giving access to Higher Education Certificate studies.
• Relevant Further Education and Training Certificate.

The minimum number of credits required for this qualification is 130. All seven modules are at NQF Level 5 and are compulsory.

Modules

• Technical Theory of Photography, 20 Credits.
• Applied Photography, 53 Credits.
• Digital Media, 20 Credits.
• Visual Literacy, 10 Credits.
• Professional Photography, 10 Credits.
• Introduction to Graphic Design, 10 Credits.
• Experiential Learning, 7 Credits.

1. Explain the origin and historical development of photography.
2. Describe the work environment of a professional photographer.
3. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the photographic milieu and the use of creative literacy in the context of photography.
4. Apply knowledge of different areas of photography in an integrated manner.
5. Apply photography briefs and application of digital media techniques.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the various areas of commercial photography.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

This qualification allows all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes to be addressed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• A broad understanding of the history of photography, including the common styles and related approaches to photographic imaging, is demonstrated.
• The differences between amateur, independent and professional photography are outlined.
• A range of career options available to professional photographers, locally and globally, is listed and discussed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Basic understanding of the professional photography work environment, including the photographic studio and photography equipment used at present, is demonstrated.
• Health and safety legislation pertaining to the duties of health and safety representatives and committees is described.
• Understanding of the business operations and windows of opportunity of professional photography, including the costing, planning and execution of photographic assignments/accounts, is demonstrated.
• Effective steps to address safety risks related to photography practice are identified and applied.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Given application techniques are carried out according to a developed concept.
• Existing products are compared and analysed through research.
• Analysed data are used to determine viability within industry requirements.
• A creative brief is interpreted to establish and produce a product according to sector specifications and layouts for productions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Photographs on a variety of photographic themes in monotone and full colour are planned, produced and presented.
• A personal photographic style is demonstrated.
• Basic understanding of professional practice in the photographic industry is demonstrated.
• Various types of images on an electronic operations platform are captured, organised, manipulated and exported.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• The elementary practical principles and advanced applications of photography are explained.
• An intermediate digital photography image quality setting is applied.
• Competence in working with a combination of varied light sources is displayed.
• Photographic studio discipline is applied.
• Advanced digital photography equipment, studio lighting techniques and advanced lighting techniques are used.
• Specialised photographic techniques for both in and out of the studio are applied.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Photographs are analysed in terms of contextual assumptions.

> Range: Sentiment/romanticism/clich�s, tensions, presentations, elemental shape/form, colour/black and white, tone detail, technical, lighting, vantage point, perspective, scale, content, relevance, symbolism, physical depicting, relationships, photographer-subject and image-photographer.

• The value of events photographs from both historical and contemporary photographic ages is described.
• An overview of contemporary and commercial photography and the role of the photographer in society are explained.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment is conducted throughout the duration of the qualification as a mechanism to monitor learning progress, identify areas for remedial intervention, or guidance to individual learners towards further learning. This is complemented by summative assessment in a form of an examination to evaluate competence in achieving all outcomes on completion of the qualification.