At North High, photography classes emphasize the movement away from the casual snapshot and towards the realm of artistic photography. Starting in Creative Photography 1, students build a strong foundational knowledge of photography that will carry them through a four year photo track. Students then progress through Pre-AICE Photography, AICE Photography, and AP 2D Studio Art where they can focus their skills into the creation of a varied, high-quality portfolio. During their time in the photo track, students will have access to digital SLR cameras both on and off campus, to the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite to enhance the photo manipulation process, and to other industry standard equipment. 

Digital Photography Courses

Creative Photography 1

Creative Photography 1 is a yearlong course for students interested in photography. Students will learn the basic functions of a digital SLR camera, the elements and principles of photography, composition, and lighting. This course will also allow students to explore Photoshop and the digital manipulation of photos. 

Creative Photography 1 is a prerequisite for all other photography courses.

Creative Photography Syllabus

Pre-AICE Photography

Pre-AICE Photography focuses on developing the photographer’s eye in the use of the elements of photography to make interesting and unique photographs. Students will be assigned specific topics and tasks to photograph. Success in this course will require the student to take pictures beyond the school grounds. Imagination and creativity are essential to a successful photo shoot.

Students will also learn how to adjust the camera settings for various photography scenarios. The goal is to move away from shooting in Auto modes and use the camera in a more meaningful way. They will understand how ISO, shutter speed, and aperture settings all affect the final image.

Famous historical photographer such as Louis Daguerre, Ansel Adams, and Dorothea Lange will be studied and their style of work analyzed. Students will also learn about some modern trends in photography and analyze how current photographers use the elements of photography in their portfolio of work.

Adobe Photoshop will be utilized to edit digital images and create a variety of composite projects when multiple elements are layered together. Digital Design 1 is not a required prerequisite, but will provide a helpful base of knowledge.

Pre-AICE Photography Syllabus

AICE Photography

AICE Photography is only available to students who have successfully completed Pre-AICE Photography.

In this advanced level, students will expand their knowledge and skill in developing a theme and communicating it in a visual medium. Students should be taking their photography to the next level by researching modern photographers who have a style or aesthetic they wish to emulate. Multiple photo shoots developed by the student will make up the bulk of the Coursework for their portfolio to be submitted to Cambridge for external evaluation.

A final culminating portfolio will be developed around a theme/topic prescribed by Cambridge. This high-quality portfolio collection should be a showcase of their strengths in visual communication.

AICE Photography Syllabus

AP 2D Studio Art

AP 2D Studio Art Syllabus

Course Links

Coming Soon!

Instructors