BA (Hons) Photographic Arts
MAJOR PROJECT PROPOSAL
This should be a clear, focussed and coherent proposal for the major project that you intend to produce in Semester 2 and should give the reader a clear sense of what the project will involve when read alongside the pilot project.
Name
Rose Patterson
Project Title (or working title)
Aerial Awareness
Subject / Concept
The main concept for this project is to capture 4 aerial images of areas of the UK that already have been or will be affected by environmental issues such as climate change, overpopulation and pollution. I want to create eye-catching images of our beautiful planet to draw my audience in and provide information on how each location I photograph is being affected by the human population. As well as informing people on these problems I want to educate my audience on how they can prevent the destruction of the planet.
Aims
My main aims are to capture strong, good quality images of areas in the UK that are or will affected by environmental issues and to educate people on how they can help prevent these problems. I hope to achieve these aims by photographing 4 different locations in the UK each with a different environmental problem. I will take these images from either a helicopter or microlight aircraft as my research has shown that I will have more camera control by flying, rather than using a drone, and it is the most cost-effective way of obtaining the photographs I need. For example, I plan on photographing the coast in the south-east as this is an area that will be affected by climate change. Due to the temperature of the planet rising the ice caps in the north and south poles are melting quicker than ever and as the ocean heats up the water expands. This means that sea levels will rise and and the risk of flooding will particularly affect the south (which is actually sinking slightly) and east (where the coast is low-lying). I have found an airfield in Stoke, Kent where I can hire a microlight aeroplane. This will give me aerial views of the coast and also where the Thames meets the North Sea.
Another issue I want to address is how climate change will affect agriculture. Climate change and agriculture are interrelated processes, both of which take place on a global scale. Climate change affects agriculture in a number of ways, including through changes in average temperatures, rainfall, and climate extremes (e.g., heat waves); changes in pests and diseases; changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide and ground-level ozone concentrations; changes in the nutritional quality of some foods; and changes in sea level. Climate change is already affecting agriculture, with effects unevenly distributed across the world. Future climate change will likely negatively affect crop production in low latitude countries, while effects in northern latitudes may be positive or negative. Climate change will probably increase the risk of food insecurity for some vulnerable groups, such as the poor. I will take aerial images of agricultural land in Yorkshire. I have found an airfield in Baxby where I can hire a microlight plane to photograph the land in that area of countryside.
Next to each of these images I will include information on the problems that affect each location, raising awareness of the environmental problems in the UK. These paragraphs will be short and concise so it is easy to understand and people won’t lose interest. I will also include information on easy ways for people to reduce their carbon footprint and other ways of preventing negative environmental changes.
Context / Audience
I think the images will appeal to anyone interested in photography, art, nature and environmental issues. I have considered how I would have to capture the attention of my audience in order for them to take an interest in the meaning behind it and be willing to learn about the environmental issues portrayed in my images. It seems many people either don’t care about making changes in their lives to help protect our world or they don’t have the right information available to them to inform them of how simple it can be to make a difference. To overcome these problems I want to create eye-catching images to make people stop and look, each image will have a short paragraph to accompany it explaining how the content of the image is being destroyed by the human population and also some information on how everyone can reduce their impact on the planet. Also, by showing images of areas that will be affected in the UK rather than places further afield will hopefully make people realise that locations close to home that they can relate to are in danger of being destroyed they are more likely to want to make a difference.
Proposed form, medium, presentation
When capturing my images I will use a Canon 5D camera. I will print my images on 12x16 paper and I will mount them too. I plan on displaying my photographs in a gallery space along one or two walls. Next to each image will be a description and information on why I chose each location and at the end of the series of photos will be information on how people can reduce their impact on the environment. I would also like a computer screen displaying the website www.footprint.wwf.org.uk which allows people to calculate their carbon footprint then gives advice on how to reduce it. It also has the option to sign up for email updates giving further advice on living an eco-friendly lifestyle.
