Milestone map
Milestone map
3 milestones
Develop series concept and complete contextual research
2 weeks (1–2 hrs/day)
Develop a concept for a photographic series: a sustained body of work around a single subject, theme, or formal inquiry. Research three photographers who have produced relevant series — not just individual images. Write a series proposal (400–600 words) covering: the central subject or question, your approach (documentary, conceptual, formal), anticipated visual language, and how your series is in dialogue with or departing from your research.
Proof required
Submit your series proposal (400–600 words) and contextual research notes (three photographers, each with 200-word analysis of their series approach and how it informs your project).
What gets checked
- Series concept identifies a specific subject, question, or formal problem — not 'I am interested in people'
- Photographer research analyses series structure, not individual images
- Series proposal explains how your approach is in dialogue with or departing from research — not just influenced by it
Common mistakes
- Series concept is too broad — requires narrowing before shooting starts
- Photographer research focuses on aesthetic admiration rather than series methodology
- Proposal does not address how the series will cohere as a body of work
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Check series concept is specific — ask student to name one type of image that would NOT be in their series
- Verify photographer research analyses series structure, not individual images
- Ask student: how will your series start and end? If they don't know, the series structure hasn't been thought through
Complete series shoots and produce edited series of 20–30 images
4–6 weeks (shoot sessions + editing)
Complete your series across a minimum of three shoot sessions (not all on one day). Produce an edited series of 20–30 images that coheres as a body of work: consistent in visual language, printed or displayed in a sequence you have deliberately chosen, with a sequencing rationale (minimum 300 words) explaining the logic of your ordering.
Proof required
Submit your series of 20–30 images in your chosen sequence (numbered and ordered in a PDF) with your sequencing rationale (minimum 300 words).
What gets checked
- 20–30 images present in deliberate sequence — not in order of shooting
- Series coheres visually — consistent in lighting style, perspective, or subject treatment
- Sequencing rationale explains specific choices in ordering — not 'I arranged them in a logical order'
Common mistakes
- All images shot in one or two sessions — the series lacks development over time
- Sequence is chronological or random — no editorial sequencing logic
- Series lacks visual coherence — images from different visual languages grouped as one series
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Check series has 20–30 images in deliberate sequence — ask student to explain why the first image comes first
- Verify series coheres visually — ask student to describe the visual language that unifies the work
- Ask student: which image in the series was hardest to place, and why is it where it is? Inability to answer indicates sequencing was arbitrary
Present series to critique and produce series statement
1–2 weeks (critique + statement)
Present your photographic series to a tutor, curator, or photography professional in a review session (minimum 20 minutes). Document specific challenges to the series concept, sequencing, or visual language. Produce a series statement (minimum 400 words) that is informed by the critique — not written before it.
Proof required
Submit: (1) critique session record (date, reviewer, specific challenges to series and sequencing — minimum half page), (2) series statement (minimum 400 words, written after the critique).
What gets checked
- Critique record documents specific challenges to sequencing, concept, or visual language — not general praise
- Series statement is written after the critique — demonstrably shaped by what was challenged
- Series statement articulates the series's central question or subject with precision
Common mistakes
- Series statement is written before the critique and submitted without revision
- Critique focuses on individual image quality rather than series structure and concept
- Series statement is descriptive — 'these photographs are of...' — rather than articulating what the series is exploring
Resources
Foundationstart here
What a verifier looks for
- Verify series statement was written after the critique — ask student what changed in the statement as a result
- Check critique record documents specific challenges to series structure
- Ask student to state the central question or subject of the series in one sentence — inability indicates the series statement has not clarified the work