Coming along to a college open day, passing the photography studio and stopping for a chat with a tutor led 17-year-old Rhiannon Cooper to change her mind about the games design course she’d come to find out about and she signed up for the Level 3 extended diploma in photography instead!
Rhiannon, who is now in the second year of the course, said: “I knew I wanted to do something creative and learn hands-on where I’d be assessed through course work, rather than have to do exams.
“When I went into the photography studio and saw all the equipment and the dark room and spoke to the tutors about the course modules it sounded really interesting and I was impressed with the amount of knowledge I’d gain.
“I’ve learnt about different types of cameras and what they’re used for and how to use correct lighting in the photography studio, as well gaining in-depth knowledge about using the dark room – you wouldn’t usually learn this much until university level.
“I settled in well and made some really good friends and it’s a good environment to work in. The tutors are great and support us with everything – they have all worked in the industry so we can benefit from their personal experience, and they help with UCAs applications and give advice on what we can do in the future.
“If you want to do something creative, choose a course that relates to what you want to do in the future – after completing the course I hope to progress to Bath University to do fashion photography and have a year out working in the industry.”
