DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY

What is Documentary Photography?

This is photography that goes into deep detail of one specific story over a varied length of time. It helps people to get a deeper connection emotionally and helps them to get an understanding of the topic. It can document people, places, or things that happen in everyday life. As long as it tells the truth and has not been altered in any way. Significant photographers are Lewis Hine, Dorthea Lange, Alice Harris and her husband John Harris. Then there is Walker Evans, Russel Lee, John Vachon, and Marion Wolcott.

Over the years documentary photography has evolved considerably. In the past It was a lot harder for a photographer to pull out their camera. Cameras were big and noticeable. They had slow film, so it was harder to capture something quickly. People in pictures could look like they were asked to pose that way, rather than it being a spur of the moment thing. So back then it was a rare occurrence if you could capture something quickly. People in pictures could look like they were asked to pose that way rather than it being a spur of the moment thing. So back then it was a rare if you could capture someone without them looking at the camera, since it was so noticeable. (Documentary photography, 2012) Now cameras have evolved and have become smaller, faster, and more efficient for the work. You can do so many things so that no one notices that the camera is even there. Therefore you capture very serious moments and things that just were not possible 150 years ago.

A photographer that I like is Philip Toledano, I really enjoy some of his work. He does post scenery photography which is how I found him, although he also does some documentary work that goes outside of the box. For example one of his works is called, The Reluctant Father. Where he captures his own journey from not wanting to be a father to actually enjoying it. He has many others that are just really amazing. Philip is one talented photographer with interesting work and ideas.