The Duke of Edinburgh Award (‘DofE’) gives young people the opportunity to develop their confidence and life skills. The skills section of the award focuses on learning a new skill and gives participants the chance to broaden their knowledge in an area of interest. Photography skills have fast become one of the favourite skills to develop. With most young people now having access to excellent quality cameras through their devices, taking a smartphone photography course for the DofE skills section is an accessible option, while also being a fascinating and fun area of photography for young people to explore.
Jet Black Squares have helped a number of DofE participants complete their skills section in smartphone photography. Whether you are aiming to complete the Bronze, Silver or Gold award in either 3 or 6 months, we can organise bespoke one-to-one sessions and out of class activities that focus on your interests. And the added bonus is that for every session booked, you get a complimentary adult place too.
We’ve found the best way to build up smartphone photography skills is to concentrate on one genre per session. Sessions run for 2 hours, once per month, for either 3 or 6 months with the remainder of the required time being made up of home study enabling the students to build up their evidence portfolio. Some popular genres our students have chosen in the past include: architecture, landscape, street photography, macro, night time/low light, reflections and nature. The aim is to enjoy yourself while learning, so we are keen to create sessions based on your personal photography interests.
In a recent DofE smartphone photography workshop, we focused on the Canary Wharf area of London. The genre was architecture with a focus on looking at how the area had changed over time, and how to photograph all that glass. Our aim was to compose a variety of shots that captured the atmosphere of the area. Although our focus was on one theme, the technical skills of composition became very varied from focal lengths, to wide angles, to action shots. We completed the session learning about the editing apps and tools available to create professional quality images, and setting further activities connected to the themes and skills from the day for the participant to complete in their own time.
Our DofE course can also be extended beyond the award, and links particularly well with GCSE photography. Previous participants have also used the skills developed on the course to enter photography competitions, with one student coming first in the Landscape Photography of the Year Award for urban photography.
Jet Black Squares DofE smartphone photography course is available in London, Hertfordshire, Durham, or Newcastle. Each session is bespoke and also includes a complementary place for an accompanying adult.
If you would like to learn more about the course and how to book, please contact either:
Jet@jetblacksquares.com for London and Hertfordshire
Becky@jetblacksquares.com for Durham and Newcastle