UAL Awarding Body - Level 3 Art & Design Extended Diploma
Unit 13 - Project Proposal
Candidate Name
Candidate Number
Pathway
Project Title
Fiona Brady
200319
Photography
FMP
Your Statement of Intent (SOI) must provide an outline brief of your Final Major Project
(FMP).
Prepare your SOI carefully, referring to the guidance in each section below. The guidance
should be seen as a prompt and not be regarded as being prescriptive.
The SOI must be a minimum of 500 and must not exceed 1000 words. Each section has a
guide to best structure your statement in order to meet the grading criteria. You are
reminded that the bibliography and timescale should be included and developed with great
consideration and detail.
SOIs judged to be of insufficient or excessive length or those inappropriately structured will
fail the criteria for an acceptable SOI and be returned. The SOI must be word processed.
UAL Awarding Body Level 3 Extended Diploma Project Proposal Doc.
Section 1: Review (Approx 200 words)
Explain the journey you have gone through in this past academic year - perhaps through the previous year as well. What were the greatest
milestones of your learning? How do you feel you have developed as an artist? Explain how you have decided on your specialism – was it a turning
point in a specific project? Have you always identified as a specific type of artist? If so, how have you developed and furthered your skills to get to
this point? Explain how your journey has ended up here, with this idea, for this final major project.
I began considering photography seriously as a potential career path in 2011 while on a GCSE Geography trip
to Iceland, I asked for my own camera as a birthday present just before the trip so I would be able to
photograph the glaciers, volcanoes and waterfalls that we would be looking at. I think after that trip I was
immediately drawn to landscape photography as a genre.
In 2012 I began devoting more of my free time towards photography; I started attending exhibitions, reading
photographic magazines, and I soon became familiar with Ansel Adams’ work. Upon finding out that he
worked with film photography to produce his body of work in Yosemite National Park, I was determined to find
a course to do after GCSE’s in a college with darkroom access.
After studying Photography among other A levels at Richmond Upon Thames College for a year, I moved to
West Thames College to focus solely on Photography as a Level 3 Btec course, at which I am now approaching
the end of my second year. Since being at West Thames College I have felt inspired by all darkroom projects, in
particular Abstract, Urban Landscapes, Movement and Rural Landscapes. These projects have allowed me to
use my own creative initiative and work outside of the rules and confines of a photography studio.
Section 2: Project Concept & Proposed Artist Statement (Approx 300 words)
This is where you explain your FMP project idea and concept. Be specific about what you intend to communicate and what you hope to achieve by
producing this work. How will your work engage or affect your audience and what will they discover by interacting with or viewing your work?
Describe the theme/concept of your work – is it based on fact or fiction? Are you creating or reacting to a mood, an emotion, a sense of
atmosphere or sensation? What is the title of your Project? What will you work towards producing? What will be your final outcome?
2°C will be the title of my project.
2°C is the critical maximum climate threshold that the world can face before we do irreparable damage to our
global environment. For my FMP I would like to investigate what the 2°C climate threshold means for us in the
UK. If this climate threshold is not kept the UK will experience more extreme wet winters that will further
contribute to the acceleration of costal erosion, and flooding will be the most serious issue that we face as a
result of global warming.
I will present a body of images that promotes awareness on how serious this climate threshold is. In order to
do this I will be photographing areas in the UK that are prone to flooding and costal erosion. I have become
more knowledgeable about what defenses are in place, and I will explore this photographically. I will then
discuss how effective these defenses are when considering the next few extreme winters we are due to
experience. The areas I will be investigating are Newquay in Cornwall for costal erosion, Sheffield and
Nottingham for flood defenses that do not meet requirements, and Canterbury to look into a power station
that is at risk during a flood period.
I want my audience to feel shocked and inspired for change by this body of work I am going to present, my
images will be aesthetically pleasing in order to help the message appeal to those who are more visual, and
may not read or be interested in the news. My FMP will be 100% fact based and I will be building upon my
previous knowledge about geographical issues as well as pushing myself further as a photographer. I want my
audience to come away after viewing my work with a greater awareness of global warming and the extent of
UAL Awarding Body Level 3 Extended Diploma Project Proposal Doc.
the damage that will occur if not enough is done to slow down the rapid climate change our planet is
experiencing.
I will present my final outcomes as large-scale (16x20in) dark room prints, developed on fiber based paper, I
would like to produce a minimum of 10 of these prints. I want my work to reflect the severity of this issue and I
will communicate this by my prints being large-scale and producing many of them.
Section 3: Methods (Approx 150 words)
Refer to any techniques and processes you intend to use. Describe the range of media and materials relevant to your project and how you may use
them to explore and develop your ideas. Include aspects of studio practice, workshop procedures or the use of particular equipment and software
etc. In the timetable, provide an indicative timescale for your project and indicate the manner in which you intend to divide your time in order to
investigate, develop, produce and evaluate your project appropriately. This should be a meaningful plan to you and should be personalised to your
project.
I will create all my images on film cameras, adapting a range of mediums from 35mm, 120mm, and large
format cameras where I can. I shall print my images 16x20in if not larger, and use fiber based darkroom paper
to bring forward a fine art quality to my work.
I will need to conduct in-depth research into costs involved for this project overall such as, travel,
accommodation, food. As well as investigating darkroom paper to use, and types of film that will be
appropriate to use in outdoor conditions where I will be shooting I.e. (5x35mm film approx. £15-£20,
5x120mm film approx. £30-£45) and look into fast or slow speed film to capture seaside views effectively as
the clouds will be moving this will have an impact on the exposure readings. Along side each of my final fiber
based final darkroom prints, I plan to have a short article of writing explaining the effects of global warming on
each location photographed and what is (or isn’t) being done to help prevent it. I have found that this issue I
want to investigate is on the “Top 6 Issues Not in the Budget” relating to the upcoming elections. I want to link
this in with my project in order to make a statement, ‘this is an issue that matters, it will affect all of us, and it
is being ignored by those you’re about to vote into power’.
I will bring a tripod with me to all of my shoots, which will allow me to set up the framing of my image and wait
for the right moment to release the shutter. Using a tripod will be key to my shoots, as I will be aiming to shoot
at the smallest aperture (f/22) in order to achieve the greatest depth of field. I also intend to bring my DSLR
camera with me on all shoots to document my set up. I am looking to buy a light meter to help my completion
of this project, this will enable me to get correct exposures for each frame, this is ideal for me as I am
interested in creating a few long exposure images at each location I visit to experiment with creating a
different mood.
I will need to complete my shoots at least 3 weeks in advance to the deadline in order to give myself a good
amount of focused time in the darkroom to develop and touch up final prints. This means I am splitting my
time nearly 50:50, with one month to be shooting and one month developing prints in the dark room and
writing up the short articles of writing to accompany my work. While on location I will be set up and ready to
photograph over the ‘golden hours’
Section 4: Evaluation (Approx 150 words)
How will you critically review and analyse your work and determine if it is successful? How will you identify directions for ongoing development? Do
you have a method to record the critical response to your ideas? How do you propose to assess the success of your Final Major Project and what
will be your methods of evaluation?
Due to my decision to work primarily with film photography I have carried out extensive research into
UAL Awarding Body Level 3 Extended Diploma Project Proposal Doc.
techniques, methods and materials involved when capturing the ideal landscape photograph in order to avoid
having to do any re-shoots. I will be able to determine though my contact sheets before having to develop my
work any larger, what images have worked and which have not. I will do this by looking at the levels of dark
greys and crisp whites that are coming through in the right places and the tonal range in between, I aim to
achieve aesthetically pleasing photos throughout, this will require me to keep the rule of thirds in mind during
all of my shoots as well as all the other basic rules involved with landscape photography on film.
I will be harsh in my personal evaluations and ensure that each image I develop is a strong image that has
potential to be a final. I will get a group of my peers together every two weeks and have a focus group style
feed back session, where I will encourage my peers to give me constructive criticism. I will record this, and any
other feedback I receive in my self-reflective journal which will be available to find on my blog.
Proposed Research Sources and Bibliography (Harvard Format)
What are the influences, starting points and contextual references and why are they relevant to your ideas? Indicate the subject areas you intend to
research and the likely sources of information including any museums, specific locations, performances, etc you plan to visit. You should explain the
value of this research and then compile an accurate bibliography correctly acknowledging all references including texts, periodicals, websites and
video/DVD’s etc
Book- Angel, Heather. Landscape Photography. Sparkford: Oxford Illustrated Press, 1989. Print. Photobook
featuring images of landscape photography.
Book- Brandenburg, Jim, and JoAnn Bren Guernsey. Sand And Fog. New York: Walker, 1994. Print. Photo book
featuring works of Jim Brandenburg an iconic landscape photographer.
Book- Brandt, Nick. On This Earth, A Shadow Falls. New York, NY: Abrams, 2012. Print. Photo book looking at
landscape images produced by Nick Brandt.
Online blog- Christidis, Nikolaos, Gareth S. Jones, and Peter A. Stott. 'Dramatically Increasing Chance Of
Extremely Hot Summers Since The 2003 European Heatwave'. Nature Climate change 5.1 (2014): 46-50.
Web. 27 Mar. 2015. Blog explaining the consequences of what can happen if the 2-degree climate
threshold is not met.
Book - Edmaier, Bernhard. Bernhard Edmaier. Earthart. Colours Of The Earth. London: Phaidon Press Ltd, 2013.
Print. Photo book featuring images by Bernhard Edmaier a landscape photographer.
Online blog- Evans, Simon. 'Two Degrees: Will We Avoid Dangerous Climate Change? | Carbon Brief'.
Carbonbrief.org. N.p., 2015. Web. 27 Mar. 2015. Online blog discussing how accurate the 2-degree
threshold is.
Website- Friends of the Earth,. 'Flood Map Of England And Wales'. N.p., 2015. Web. 27 Mar. 2015. Sourced
from the Environmental Agency's website, a flood map showing different issues in different areas relating
UAL Awarding Body Level 3 Extended Diploma Project Proposal Doc.
to flooding
Online newspaper article- Gosden, Emily. 'Prince Charles: Climate Change Is The Greatest Challenge Facing
Humanity'. Telegraph.co.uk. N.p., 2014. Web. 27 Mar. 2015. Newspaper article talking about Price
Charles' urge for other countries to turn their attention to the on-going battle against climate change.
Website- Gov.uk,. 'UK Floods 2014 Data - Publications - GOV.UK'. N.p., 2014. Web. 27 Mar. 2015. A list of
documents containing statistics on flooding in England and Wales published by the government.
Website- Greenpeace.org.uk,. 'The Top Five Green Policies That Weren't In The Budget | Greenpeace UK'. N.p.,
2015. Web. 27 Mar. 2015. An article posted on Greenpeace by 'sgelmini' discussing the top 5 green issues
that haven't been mentioned in budget - relating to the upcoming elections.
Online blog- Hope, Mat, and Rosamund Pearce. 'Two Degrees: The History Of Climate Change’S ‘Speed
Limit’ | Carbon Brief'. Carbonbrief.org. N.p., 2015. Web. 27 Mar. 2015. Blog looking at where the 2degree target came from and how it has guided the international climate policy.
Book- Jennings, Kate F. Ansel Adams. New York: Barnes & Noble, 1998. Print. A book of a few of Ansel Adams
most iconic landscape photographs.
Online newspaper article- Jowit, Juliette. 'Flooding Rated As Worst Climate Change Threat Facing UK'. the
Guardian. N.p., 2012. Web. 27 Mar. 2015. Newspaper article looking at the worst-case scenarios if little or
nothing is done to help prevent flooding.
Video- Mathis, Peter. 'Hasselblad Master Peter Mathis - Fine Art In Landscape Photography'. YouTube. N.p.,
2015. Web. 27 Mar. 2015. A online video tutorial talking about techniques involved when shooting on a
medium format camera.
Book- Muench, David, and N. Scott Momaday. Colorado, Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring. Chicago: Rand McNally,
1973. Print. A photo book featuring landscape images of Colorado through the seasons.
Book- Rowell, Galen A. Mountain Light. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, 1986. Print. A photo book featuring
landscape images of mountains.
Website- Shrubsole, Guy. 'Cameron's Claims On Flood Defenses Don't Stack Up'. Friends of the Earth. N.p.,
2014. Web. 27 Mar. 2015. Online article looking into the money that was (or was not) spent by the
UAL Awarding Body Level 3 Extended Diploma Project Proposal Doc.
coalition government.
Website- Shurbsole, Guy. 'Flooding'. Friends of the Earth. N.p., 2015. Web. 27 Mar. 2015. Friends of the Earth
list of recent articles looking into flooding.
Book- Waite, Charlie, and Adam Nicolson. Landscape In Britain. New York, N.Y.: Thames and Hudson, 1984.
Print. A photo book featuring landscape images taken around Britain.
Video- Woodward, Greg. '5 Tips For Great Landscapes'. YouTube. N.p., 2015. Web. 27 Mar. 2015. An online
video tutorial discussing general tips to keep in mind when photographing landscapes.
UAL Awarding Body Level 3 Extended Diploma Project Proposal Doc.
YOUR PROJECT TITLE – FMP Timetable
Session Activities Week
1
w/c 13th
April
What will you do in your practical/timetabled lessons on a daily/weekly
basis?
Wednesday – Develop film, produce contact sheets. Carry
out image research.
Thursday – Critically evaluate shoot, identify stong and weak
outcomes.
Friday – Analyse what can be done better, look into the next
shoot and realise how any issues can be avoided in the
future.
2
w/c 20th
April
Wednesday – Develop research, look into use of other
photographic mediums that I can consider using.
Thursday – Develop film, produce contact sheets.
Friday – Critically evealuate how the shoot went and what
has improved/gotten worse between shoots.
3
w/c 27th
April
Wednesday – Develop film, produce contact sheets. Analyse
how I can continue to improve upon the pervious shoot.
Thursday – Looking at all contact sheets so far I will
determine what I need to change/do more of. Carry out focus
group again.
Directed Self-Study / Personal Study
Targets What will you do in ilearn sessions and during your
own time?
SHOOT!
I will use my ilearn lessons to have a
group feedback session. I will consider
what they have said and look to what I can
improve on based off their comments.
Resources What you will need to do what you have planned including access to workshops
Time in the darkroom, I will need to
have looked in to alternitave types of
film I can use as well as alterinitave
possiblities of darkroom paper I can
print on.
In my own time I will be scouting locations
for my next shoot I plan to do.
I will devote every Monday to go over my
sketchbook and ensure everything I am
doing is being presented neatly and
comprehensively.
SHOOT!
In ilearn sessions I shall conduct a focus
group on potential ideas I can keep in
mind for my next shoot, relating to
potential locations, angles I could try and
achieve, statements I want to portray.
I will continue to look into potential
locations.
SHOOT!
I will present all my contact shoots up to
this point to a group of my peers, ask them
to be harsh in telling me what I can
change and adapt differently for my
upcoming final shoots.
UAL Awarding Body Level 3 Extended Diploma Project Proposal Doc.
I will need time in the darkroom, I can
look into shops such as Silverprint and
look at what stock they have and what
matrerials they can recommend for me
to use for my project.
I will need time in the darkroom and I
shall ideally have purchased all my
necessary dark room materials which
will allow me to have all the resources I
need to begin printing my work out
large-scale in the darkroom.
Friday – Reflect upon feedback I have received, plan next
shoot accordingly.
4
w/c 4th
May
Wednesday – Evaluate all my contact sheets together,
ensure that I have been consistant in improving upon each
shoot. Develop any more film and produce contact sheets.
Thursday – Work on feedback given in focus group, ensure
that all feedback has been recorded onto my blog accurately.
I will look into locations that I have not yet
considdered, in hope that I can discover
somewhere I am new to. To have a fresh
landscape to photograph.
SHOOT!
Hold a final focus group session and invite
constructive criticism from a larger group
of people. I will show them all my work I
have produced up to this date, and
schedule a final shoot if I do not have
enough strong images to be working on in
the darkroom.
Work out that I have the correct
amounts of equipment I will be needing
to work in the darkroom solidly for the
next 3 weeks.
Sketchbook work!
Ensure all of my sketchbook work is up-todate and that it is nearing completion to be
handed in promptly on the deadline.
Keeping a careful eye that my
resources stay stocked up and that I
won’t be running out of anything in the
middle of printing.
Sketchbook work!
Ensuring to document my darkroom work
in my sketchbook as much a s I can to
show my development throughout this
project.
Again ensuring all my resources are
fully stocked up to make sure I do not
have to suspend my darkroom time
should something run out.
Pulling everything together!!!!
Make sure that my sketchbook is
completed up to final evaluation, and that I
am happy with how my final prints look,
including any burning, dodging and toning.
Making sure nothing runs out at the last
minute as to not interrupt my final
working week in the darkroom.
Friday – Analyse all work produced so far and schedule on
final shoot if necessary.
5
w/c 11th
May
Wednesday – Darkroom development towards final images.
Thursday – Working in the darkroom on final prints
Friday – Working in the darkroom on final prints
6
w/c 18th
May
Wednesday – Darkroom devlopent towards final images.
Thursday – Working in the darkroom on final prints
Friday – Working in the darkroom on final prints
7
w/c 25th
May
Wednesday – Development of final images in darkroom
Thursday – Working in the darkroom on final prints
Friday – Working in the darkroom on final prints
8
w/c 1st
June
FINAL MAJOR PROJECT PRESENTATIONS AND
ASSESSMENTS
UAL Awarding Body Level 3 Extended Diploma Project Proposal Doc.
UAL Awarding Body Level 3 Extended Diploma Project Proposal Doc.