Higher National Certificate Classroom Based

Trace photography's beginnings and discover how the medium has evolved across cultural, technological, and political landscapes. This module introduces major movements and genres - from Pictorialism to modernism and digital manipulation - while exploring the ethics of representation and the building blocks of composition and colour. A focused case study on Edward Weston and the still life tradition deepens historical understanding and inspires contemporary practice.

Build technical confidence with cameras old and new - from camera obscura and pinhole to mirrorless, DSLR, and computational photography. You'll master aperture, shutter speed, and ISO within the exposure triangle, and learn how depth of field, focal length, and focus modes shape an image. Foundational composition tools help you translate technical control into strong visual storytelling.

Step into the studio and learn to craft light with precision. This module covers essential equipment, safe working practices, and lighting setups using flash, continuous sources, modifiers, and reflectors. You'll balance creative experimentation with technical discipline to produce polished, repeatable results suitable for client work and portfolio building.

Explore the strategies behind persuasive commercial imagery. Through case studies and lifestyle examples, you'll learn how brands communicate through visuals and how to plan shoots that deliver to brief. The module also introduces efficient digital workflows - from capture to Lightroom editing, file management, and exports for multiple platforms.

Kickstart your project with structure and clarity. Define aims, audiences, and competitors while planning for brand, budget, timeline, and compliance. You'll combine research methods with creative ideation - storyboards, mind maps, and mood boards - using reflection, critique, and stakeholder feedback to drive iterative development.

Master the art and technique of portraiture across studio and location. Learn lighting styles, subject direction, and composition to create images with character and mood. Visual diagrams and case examples demonstrate how to shape light, choose modifiers, and adapt to different environments with professionalism.

Elevate your creative process with systematic ideation and quality assurance. Explore methods such as role-play, simulation, forced relationships, and de Bono's Thinking Hats, then embed documentation, version control, and technical checks into your workflow. The result: more consistent outcomes and stronger creative decisions.

Prepare for the pace and unpredictability of shooting on location. This module covers pre-production planning, logistics, and contingency tactics across events and specialist genres. Case studies from leading practitioners reveal how to maintain creative intent while adapting to changing light, spaces, and schedules.

Understand how professional productions come together. Learn the roles across creative, technical, and managerial teams, and how communication, scheduling, and resource management keep projects on track. Health, safety, and wellbeing essentials ensure robust, responsible practice on set and on location.

Turn concepts into workable shoots. Plan for studio and location, select and direct models, and manage props, backdrops, styling, and makeup. You'll also implement best practices for kit care and storage, ensuring smooth, professional execution from prep to wrap.

Get industry-ready with practical professional skills. Learn to tailor outputs to different audiences, manage time and assets, and plan contingencies. You'll build confidence handling expectations and delivering to commercial and creative briefs with consistency and care.

Practice responsibly with a clear understanding of rights, representation, and sustainability. This module covers copyright, intellectual property, releases, and the protection of vulnerable audiences. You'll examine equality, diversity, and accessibility alongside environmental impact across the photographic lifecycle.

Curate and present work to a professional standard. Learn portfolio sequencing, image refinement, and layout strategy, combining strong typographic choices with visual hierarchy. Whether for digital or print, you'll shape cohesive bodies of work aligned to client briefs and audience expectations.

Communicate ideas with clarity and impact. Explore written, visual, audiovisual, and interactive formats using industry-standard tools. You'll structure content for varied audiences, use hierarchy to guide attention, and present progress via contact sheets, mock-ups, and visualisations - while developing teamwork and feedback skills.

Polish your project for submission or professional presentation. Review feedback, refine imagery and layouts, and check sequencing, consistency, and technical accuracy. You'll ensure your final outcomes align with brief requirements and stand up to industry expectations.