The syllabus is designed to assess candidates’ knowledge of photography as a visual means of communication, as well as their skill in the creative utilization of photographic equipment. It is also meant to evaluate their knowledge of the socio-economic potentials of photography.

Candidates will be tested on their ability to understand the:

(a)  meaning and importance of photography as a medium of visual communication.

(b)  evolution of photography and its historical development in Nigeria.

(c)  scope of photography and its associated terminologies.

(d)  knowledge of photographic equipment and their uses.

(e)  skills in taking, processing, presenting and preserving photographs.

(f)  use of digital technology in photography.

This examination will comprise of three papers, Papers 1, 2 and 3 all of which shall be taken. Papers 1 and 2 shall be a composite paper and will be taken at one sitting. The two papers will focus on topics such as introduction to photography, importance of photography, the theory of light, photographic equipment and their uses, history and appreciation of photography. Other topics to be covered in the papers are photographic terminologies, digital photography, care and preservation of photographs as well as the procedures involved in organising photo exhibition.

Paper 1 will consist of forty multiple choice objective questions, all of which are to be answered in 1 hour for 40 marks.

Paper 2 will consist of six essay questions from which candidates will answer any four in 2 hours for 60 marks.

Paper 3:          will be a practical paper consisting of two sections, Sections A and B. The paper will require 3 hours to answer its questions and will carry 100 marks.

Section A will comprise two compulsory questions on analysis of photographic images.

Section B will comprise of three questions on processes and equipment out of which candidates will be expected to answer two.

There may be an Alternative to Practical Work paper in place of the actual practical exercise in the event of constrains on materials. It will have two sections, Sections A and B.

In Section A, on Photo Analysis, two (black and white) photographs will be provided  for analysis for 50 marks. Section B shall contain three compulsory questions on photographic processes and equipment to be answered for 50 marks. The entire paper will require 2 hours and carry 100 marks.

(a)  Meaning of photography

(b)  Functions / uses of photography

(i)   Record events

(ii)   Visual communication e.g. advertising, journalism, scientific, artistic expression etc.

(c)  Branches / Areas of Photography

• Fashion
• Advertising
• Photojournalism (Documentary, Photo-Essay etc.)
• Forensic
• Nature
• Underwater
• Sports
• Architectural
• Events (Wedding, Birthday etc.)
• Portraiture
• Still Life etc.

(a)  Origin of Camera and Photography

(b)  Development of Photography in Nigeria

(c)  Pioneers of Photography:

(i)   Europe & America – Nicephore Niepce, Louis Daguerre, Williams

Fox Talbot, Edwin Land, George Eastman e.t.c.

(ii)     Nigeria – Jonathan Adagogo Green, Dotun

Okubanjo, J.D. Okhai Ojeikere, Sunmi Smart Cole, Philip Trimmnel, Peter Obe, Goerge Oshodi, Andrew Esiebo, Kelechi Amadi-obi, Akintunde Akinleye, George Dacosta. etc.

• Exposure
• Develop
• Print
• Enlarge
• Focus
• Aperture (F – Number)
• Shutter Speed
• Perspective
• Image
• Intensity
• Light
• Composition. etc.

(a)  Source of light

(i)     Natural e.g. Sun and Moon.

(ii)     Artificial e.g. Flash, Studio lighting.

(b)  Properties of light

(i)     Absorption

(ii)     Reflection

(iii)      Transmission

(iv)      Refraction

(v)     Dispersion

(a)  Principles underlying the design of Camera (Pinhole Camera)

(i)     Light tight – (insulation from unwanted light).

(ii)     Light inlet – (opening for wanted light).

(iii)      Viewing system.

(iv)      Image formation.

(b)  Basic Part of an SLR / 35mm Camera and their functions.

(c)  Categories and Types of Camera.

(d)  (i) Categories – Analogue and Digital.

(ii)     Types

• Compact
• Range Finder
• Single Lens Reflex (SLR) / 35mm
• Medium Format – Twin Lens and SLR
• Large Format Camera
• Instamatic

(e)  Lenses

(i) Principles of Lenses: Refraction, Reflection, Dispersion, Diffraction.

(ii) Difference between Concave (negative) and Convex (positive) lenses.

(iii) Focal length (normal, short and long).

(iv) Relationship between lens and apertures.

(v) Types of Camera lenses – Normal / Standard, Wide angle, Telephoto and Zoom.

(vi) Uses of Camera lenses.

(f) Maintenance of Camera

• Keep away from dirt and oil
• Protect lens from dust
• Use of Camera strap
• Careful handling etc.

(a)  The nature of film – Light Sensitive and Chemical Composition.

(b)  Types and Format

(i)     Types

• Black and White
• Colour

(ii)     Format

• 110
• 35mm
  • 120 / 220
  • Sheet film

(c)  Film Speed (ISO)

• Meaning
• Examples –            ASA 32 – 125 (Slow Speed)

ASA 40 – 200 (Medium Speed) ASA 400 and above (Fast Speed)

(1)                Processes involved 

(a)  Preparation

• Loading film
• Setting the camera
• Prepare Subject
• Set up lighting Equipment (Studio)
• Study outdoor weather Condition (Outdoor)
• Setting appropriate aperture / shutter combination

(b)  Taking Photograph

• Handling the camera
• composing
• Focusing
• Shooting

(a)     Meaning

(b)    Elements of Composition

(Line, Shape, Space, colour, angle, centre of interest, background, closeness, form, texture etc.)

(a)  Layout and Requirements

(i)                   Layout – dry and wet areas

(ii)                  Requirements

• Light tights
• Good ventilation (Air conditioner)
• Water
• Waste outlet
• Flat working surfaces

(b)  Tools and Equipment

• Measures
• Containers
• Funnels
• Thermometers
• Timers
• Developing Tanks
• Safe Light
• Enlarger
• Dryer
• Developing Trays / Dishes
• Spiral Spool
• Light Box etc.

(c)   Chemicals – Developer, Fixers, Stop bath

(d)     Film Development Processes

(i)                   Dilution of developer

(ii)                 Loading of the film into the tank or see-saw method

(iii)                Pouring and timing the action of developer in the tank

(iv)                Rinsing with water / Stop bath

(v)                 Fixing of film

(vi)                Pouring out of Fixer and rinsing with water / Stop bath

(vii)              Drying of negative

(e)     Safety Measures

• Apron / Lab Coat
• Rubber Gloves
• Avoid sudden movement
• First aid (for chemical burns)
• Proper Storage of Chemical

(a)  Materials and Equipment

• Enlarger
• Safe light
• Printing Paper
• Printing Frame
• Developer and Fixer
• Developing Trays / Dishes
• Dryer
• Guillotine / Trimmer

(b)  Printing Process

(i)                               Dilution of developer and fixer

(ii)                             Printing of Photograph (using enlarger)

(iii)                            Production of Contact Print

(iv)                            Selection of exposure for printing

(v)                             Exposure on paper

(vi)                            Developing

(vii)                          Rinsing with water or Stop bath

(viii)                         Fixing

(ix)                            Rinsing with water or Stop bath

(c)  Drying and Storage of Photographs

(i)       Methods of Drying

• Dryer
• Open air

(ii)     Methods of Storing

Negatives        -           Printing Paper Pack and Cellophane Jackets Photographs   -                        Photo Albums and Mounting on Photo Frame Chemicals    -                        Jerry Can (preferably black)

(a)  Differences and similarities between traditional (analogue) and digital photography.

(b)  The development of digital photography.

(c) Equipment for Digital Photography

(i) Digital Camera

(ii) Computer

(iii) Printer

(d) Software for Digital Photography

• Adobe Photoshop
• PhotoEditor
• Photopaint
• Fireworks
• Picasa etc.

(e) Input / Output Methods and Devices

(i) Input Devices

• Scanner
• Digital Camera
• Compact Disc
• Flash Drive
• Zip.

(ii) Output Devices

• Printer
• Computer monitor
• Internet

Procedure