Hayley Slade Advanced Research

Strategies Research Proposal for FMP

Working Title

Britain's Lost Waters: The Ripple Effect

Overview/Topics of Interest

• The natural world - understanding of humanities impact and connection with nature

• Past projects –

1.Two series for Panoramic Memories – Nostalgic Landscapes.

2.Editorial, South Lakes Wild Animal Park – Human & Animal Interaction.

3.Video Project – Human Impact on the British Landscape.

Introduction/ Research Question

• Developing upon video project

• Documented environmental impact of human development

• Highlighted endurance of natural life forms

• New focus on freshwater as a life source – essential to survival & health

• Ripple effect - one small change can cause widespread issues

Aims & Objectives

• Research landscape & wildlife photographers.

• Research environmental/conservational news – freshwater.

• Research potential locations – rivers, wetlands, lakes.

• Practical considerations – time management, site availability.

• Consider potential audience, organisation or client.

Data Collection & Analysis

• Two sides of intended narrative –protection of wildlife habitats and water conservation efforts versus urban development and water management.

• Attempt interviews for both concepts – e.g. contact individual working at RSPB or arrange discussion with representative at united utilities.

• Model release forms for potential portraits, collect data during interview.

Qualifications & Restrictions

• Licences to photograph protected sites or wildlife e.g. water vole.

• Contact relevant institution in advance of shoots and discuss intentions e.g Environmental Agency, WWT.

Specialist Needs – Equipment Access, Workshops

• Telephoto lens – max focal length 300 – 400mm.

• Macro lens – 1:1.

• Optional – wide angle lens.

• Optional – wildlife photography workshop e.g. WWT.

Edward Burtynsky - Water

• Large scale aerial images and video.

• Focuses upon water usage & deficiency – vulnerability and power.

Chris Jordan – Midway

• Referred to in feedback session

• Highlights issues related to waste disposal, consumerism and consumption.

• Negative impact in feeding behaviours of birds – death of young.

National Geographic - Threatened Freshwater Environments

• Gallery highlights images of threatened freshwater environments across the world.

• Features freshwater usage on the outskirts of urban areas, dried out wetlands, polluted water plants.

• Emphasises danger of heavy water abstraction to sustain increasing population.

The Observer – Water is too precious a resource to be squandered

• Discusses the scarcity of water - government policies regarding water need to change.

• Risk of further damage to wetland habitats and eco-systems.

• Freshwater habitats needed to prevent droughts and flooding.

“Around two-thirds of our rivers are failing ecosystems. Much of the cause for this shaming statistic is over-abstraction. We suck aquifers dry to provide cheaper water for an increasing population in the south and east of England.”- Richard Benyon

The Guardian - Wind in the Willows river 'risks running dry' if new water bill is

passed• Changes to UK water bill allow licence owners to sell water to water

companies.

“Currently, 30bn litres a day are taken from rivers, 10% more than is ecologically sustainable, but licences exist for a further 50bn litres a day.” - Damian Carrington.

• Focuses upon exhaust of rivers, especially chalks streams – e.g. River Pang

"In the future, population growth, climate change and economic development are likely to increase pressure for more water to be abstracted. As a result, unless we all act now, further environmental damage may occur.“ - Environment Agency.

Wildlife & Countryside Link – Blueprint for Water

10 steps to sustainable water by 2015

1. Waste less water

2. Keep our rivers flowing and wetlands wet

3. Price water fairly

4. Make polluters pay

5. Stop pollutants contaminating our water

6. Keep sewage out of homes and rivers and off beaches

7. Support water-friendly farming

8. Slow, manage and clean drainage from roads and buildings

9. Protect and restore catchments from source to sea

10. Retain water on floodplains and wetlands

WWT Martin Mere – Bird Festival

Future Development & Potential Audience

• Contact relevant organisations – WWT, EA, United Utilities, River Trust, RSPB, Wildlife Trust, Wildlife and Countryside Link.

• Visit Broughton Clough wetland, contacted on blog to conduct research – increasing threat from flytippers and an encroaching football stadium.

• Start further photo experimentations and visit relevant sites.

Potential Locations

• Starting point, focus on North West – track connections between tributaries, estuaries, reservoirs, wetlands etc...

• River Mersey – Mersey Estuary, New Years Bridge Reservoir, Wirral Peninsula, Manchester Ship Canal, Seaforth Dock.

• River Dee – Dee Estuary, Burton Mere Wetlands, River Alyn, Alwen Reservoir, Connah's Quay.

• Alnmouth, Aln Estuary – marine conservation zone.

Bibliography

Wells, L (2011). Land Matters: Landscape Photography, Culture and Identity. I.B.Tauris & Co Ltd.

Sterry, P (2008). British Wildlife: A photographic guide to every common species. London: Collins.

MACK. 2013. The River Winter by Jem Southam. [online] Available at: http://www.mackbooks.co.uk/books/48-The-River-Winter.html.

Rivers on the Edge. 2013. [e-book] WWF. Available through: WWF http://assets.wwf.org.uk/downloads/rivers_on_the_edge.pdf.

O'Hagan, S (2013). In the Realm of Nature by Paul Martineau – review. http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/feb/03/eliot-porter-realm-nature-review

Ross, D (2013). Lottery fund gives £3m to restore remote landscape and help wildlife. http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/lottery-fund-gives-3m-to-restore-remote-landscape-and-help-wildlife.22551685

Barton, B. 2013. Why is Europe failing to take the energy-water connection seriously?. The Guardian, [online] 4 November. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/europe-failing-energy-water-connection

Benyon, R. 2013. Water is too precious a resource to be squandered. The Observer, [online] 17 November. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/17/water-industry-reform-essential.

Boccaletti, G. 2013. Wind in the Willows river 'risks running dry' if new water bill is passed. The Guardian, [online] 25 November. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/nov/25/rivers-water-bill-wildlife-habitat.

Brandt, N. 2013. End of Eden. The Independent on Sunday, [online] 20 October. Available at: http://www.nickbrandt.com/UserImages/11/11129/file/Independent%20Review%2010-13.pdf

Carrington, D. 2013. England names 27 new marine conservation zones. The Guardian, [online] 21 November. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/nov/21/england-27-new-marine-conservation-zones.

designboom | architecture & design magazine. 2013. edward burtynsky water photography - designboom | architecture & design magazine. [online] Available at: http://www.designboom.com/art/edward-burtynsky-water-photography/

Harvey, F. 2013. Water shortages may make fracking impractical, industry says. The Guardian, [online] 27 November. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/nov/27/water-shortages-fracking-impractical-uk

Hull, S. 2013. Source: Graduate Photography Online - 2013 - Dublin Institute of Technology - BA (Hons) Photography. [online] Available at: http://www.source.ie/graduate/2013/dublinstba/dublinstba_student_06_43_51_14-05-13/dublinstba_student_06_43_51_14-05-13.php

Hull, S. 2013. Source: Graduate Photography Online - 2013 - UCA Rochester - BA (Hons) Photography (Contemporary Practice). [online] Available at: http://www.source.ie/graduate/2013/rochuncaba/rochuncaba_student_12_36_51_10-05-13/rochuncaba_student_12_36_51_10-05-13.php.

Hull, S. 2013. Source: Graduate Photography Online - 2013 - Hereford College of Arts - BA (Hons) Photography. [online] Available at: http://www.source.ie/graduate/2013/herecollba/herecollba_student_10_28_19_08-05-13/herecollba_student_10_28_19_08-05-13.php

Lees, J. 2011. Wetlands: constantly changing, always photogenic. The Guardian, [online] 2 December. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2011/dec/02/green-shoots-wetlands

Carwardine, M (2013). How to be a professional wildlife photographer. http://www.markcarwardine.com/photography/how-to-be-a-professional-wildlife-photographer.html

Wildlifetrusts.org (2013). Bees, birds and hedgerows at risk: public must act to protect nature on farms.http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/2013/10/31/bees-birds-and-hedgerows-risk-public-must-act-protect-nature-farms

BBC Nature. 2013. Restoring Britain's wildlife vision. [online] Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/23681615

BBC News. 2013. Biodiversity plans 'too simplistic'. [online] Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24899708

BBC News. 2011. Nature 'is worth billions' to UK. [online] Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13616543

Chrisjordan.com. 2013. Chris Jordan - Midway. [online] Available at: http://www.chrisjordan.com/gallery/midway/#CF000313%2018x24

Geographic, N. 2013. Unusual Pictures: "Calcified" Birds, Bats Found at African Lake. [online] Available at: http://news.nationalgeographic.co.uk/news/2013/10/pictures/131003-calcified-birds-bats-africa-lake-natron-tanzania-animals-science/

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Jamiehallphotography.co.uk. 2013. Otters (freshwater) March 2013 - Part 1 - Jamie Hall Photography. [online] Available at: http://www.jamiehallphotography.co.uk/pages/projects/otters-freshwater-march-2013--part-1.php

Jones, C. 2013. Autumn-A Mosaic Of Colours. Craig Jones - Wildlife Photography, [blog] 27 October, Available at: http://www.craigjoneswildlifephotography.co.uk/blog/workshops/autumn-a-mosaic-of-colours/2013108937/

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Society, N. 2013. Habitats -- Threatened Freshwater Environment Pictures, Wallpapers, Downloads -- National Geographic. [online] Available at: http://environment.nationalgeographic.co.uk/environment/photos/freshwater-threatened/#/night-heron-anacostia_310_600x450.jpg

Wildlifetrusts.org. 2013. Water and wetlands | The Wildlife Trusts. [online] Available at: http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/living-landscape/water-wetlands

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Wildlifetrusts.org. 2013. Aln Estuary recommended Marine Conservation Zone | The Wildlife Trusts. [online] Available at: http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/MCZ/aln-estuary