Year 11 Photography

Year 11 Photography

Welcome to our Year 11 Photography revision hub. Here you can find details of the exam board & specification, when your mock exams will take place, what will be tested in the exam and how you should revise and prepare.

To download a pdf summary of the Photography revision information – click here

Exam Board: OCR GCSE Art & Design (Photography) (J173)

Specification: Click here to access the exam board specification – click here

Mock Exam Details

Tuesday 25 November 1.00pm – 3.00pm

 Wednesday 26 November 1.00pm – 3.00pm

 Thursday 27 November 1.00pm – 3.00pm

What Will My Assessment Test My Knowledge On?

• This 10-hour controlled assessment forms 60% of your final GCSE Photography grade, when assessed together with your supporting sketchbook and digital portfolio. It will test your ability to demonstrate all four OCR assessment objectives through your ongoing portfolio and final outcome, with particular focus on AO2 (refinement of ideas) and AO4 (presentation of personal response).You will be expected to show that you can:AO1 – Develop ideas: Explore the theme of abstraction through your own interpretation and by linking to relevant photographers or artists. Show clear influence and understanding of your chosen artists’ styles and ideas.

  AO2 – Refine work through experimentation: Use a variety of editing techniques (e.g., layering, double exposure, digital manipulation, colour distortion, montage) to refine your ideas and improve the quality of your images. Combine multiple sources, ideas, and influences to create more personal, original outcomes.

  AO3 – Record observations and insights: Document your photo shoots, editing processes, and reflections in your portfolio. Annotate clearly to explain what worked well, what didn’t, and how you will improve.

  AO4 – Present a final outcome: Produce a final photographic outcome that is creative, meaningful, and visually engaging. Consider how you will present it — for example, as a triptych, diptych, zine, or even a 3D sculptural presentation — ensuring it links strongly to your theme of abstraction and the photographers who have influenced you.

What Should I do to Revise and Prepare for This Assessment?

To prepare for this assessment:

1. Take additional photographs that link to your theme of abstraction or your chosen artist influences.
2. Upload all photographs to Microsoft Teams before the start of the exam — there will be no uploading or file access allowed during the exam.
3. Review and analyse your previous mock exam work. Identify what was successful and what could be improved — particularly in composition, editing technique, and presentation.
4. Refine your editing techniques using Photoshop or other editing software. Practise advanced adjustments and layering methods.
5. Combine multiple ideas or artist influences to develop more personal, creative experiments.
6. Plan how you will present your final outcome (triptych, diptych, zine, or 3D piece).
7. Ensure your digital portfolio show your creative journey clearly — from initial ideas and artist research through to final presentation.

Useful Revision Resources & Links