GCSE music or photography

[Teapot74]

DS is taking his options. We all presumed that he would do music as will be grade 5 on 2 instruments and theory, so has basically got 30% in the bag. He is not arty at all. I've nearly wet myself at some of his art work. We have to give our 1st decision by Monday. We had the parents pm Thursday but I didn't make an appointment with the art teacher as I had no idea he had any interest in the subject. He has suddenly decided that photography sounds fun and he'd like to do this instead of music. Any thoughts? Does anyone know the workload of photography compared to music? I would like his creative to be an easy option, he has enough to contend with on the academic front. I've set him up with the camera today and given him a mini project so we can discuss it a bit more.
Not the biggest decision in the world but do want him to get it right and enjoy what he does.

It depends on how much he wants/needs top grades. Photography sounds like it will be a huge risk for him and, whilst it may sound 'fun', I'm sure there'll still be plenty of work to do to get a top grade.
My ds took German as a 'risk' subject (languages not his natural ability) and got a C.

One thing I will say is if he really enjoys a subject don't let the thought of the workload put him off. dd nearly didn't do music because of what older friends said and it would have been a great shame because she loves it and finds it fun.

How many other GCSEs will he be sitting? If it's 8-9 or more then I'd say let him run with his preference unless his artistic side not being strong, he'd be destined for a very poor grade. Discuss with art dept, maybe see if he can look at a range of portfolios which have been awarded a sliding scale of grades. My 2 older ds's did art GCSE and one took it at pre U. He included quite a bit of photography in his portfolio but I must say there was an element of creating work 'to order' for the portfolio which sometimes took the joy out of the creative process at both GCSE and sixth form level. Oh and it's VERY hard to get a top grade. It was enough to put off dd (talented artist and potter) taking it for GCSE. She does art club at school instead and enjoys the creative freedom she finds there.

Otoh I think - though I'm open to correction - that although both are creative subjects, music might be more 'respected' academically. Is he dead set against it?

Sorry not v helpful, but just my slant on it!

music is considered a viable subject by oxbridge but photography is not. Is your DC interested in pursuing either as a career? At grade 5 now your ds should secure a good grade in music GCSE.

I am a secondary teacher but not art or music. My understanding from student experiences and results is that photography, or photoshop as we sometimes call it, is much easier to get higher results.

Thanks for advice. I'm thinking I should be trying to persuade him to stick with music. The photography thing has only come out in the last couple of days. I have emailed the art teacher to see if I can pop in and have a chat with her about it. I prefer him to do music but also want him to feel that he has his own choice…(think he's doing 9 GCSE's)

Just had a word with him re photography being a valid GCSE at some uni's. He's happy to stick with music. You've been a great help. Thanks.

Photography is not an easy option! It has a comparable workload to Art, in fact is very much like Art as a subject. It involves a lot of continual building of portfolios, and a lot of analysis.
I wouldn't be anxious about it being seen as a "valid" GCSE, but I would be concerned if your son just thinks it is going to be "fun". It is hard work, and the skills it teaches are far more than use of a camera or photoshop.

Music is not an easy option either. 30% may very well be in the bag, but he will have to be shit hot at composition and the theory isn't theory - it's a detailed knowledge of western art music and some popular genres from 1600 to the present day, whether that's presented via set works or a general non-specific listening paper. The board we do required 93% across the subject for an A* this summer.

I'd still say do Music though .
He can pick up photography at A level if he's any good. One of my ex pupils did exactly that having had an interest in it and buying a second hand Leica during year 11, and is now a professional photographer.

Try and do Music if he can but on the assumption he wants a more academic profile. Photography can be done from scratch as an A level and DD got an A* in it with no GCSE. So from scratch a GCSE is ok but he would need a digital camera I would have thought. Also, manipulating a useless photograph to make it look passable is not what photography is about. Has he shown any interest in using a camera before if he doesn't own one? Also, if you have a really excellent music department who teach well, or indeed a photography teacher who is fantastic, I would factor that in too. As this is his "Art" subject, and his 9th, I would not be too bothered about what universities think, unless he is looking at Oxbridge, where Music would be the better option.

Decision made. Music won :) Think he was being a bit whimsical.