Will Lobley research task

Documentary photography usually refers to a popular form of photography used to chronicle events or environments both significant and relevant to history and historical events as well as everyday life.

Some of the earliest examples of documentary photography were taken my photographer Philip Delamotte who recorded the disassembly of Crystal Palace in 1852 and the American Matthew Brady, who documented the American civil war in 1861.

Well known photographers

Walker Evans, Don McCullin, Lewis Hine, Robert Frank, Nan Goldin, Robert Capa, Mary Ellin Mark.

Examples

I think the good thing about all of these pictures, is that they all tell the story of what’s happening, and it’s clear to see. They are all also very powerful in there meanings, especially the last picture.

Techniques

There are a few techniques/tips that would help to become a good documentary photographer. One of the main tips is simple but effective, ‘step back’. Doing this allows you to include a sense of place, it gives the photograph a better setting and a bit more context.

Another good tip is to use a camera with a wide lense, to capture as much as possible plus using a prime lens really helps minimize any distortion that you might end up with when using a zoom lens.

The tips of becoming a good quality documentary photographer stems from the honesty with which the photographer aims to tell the subject’s story. The photographs are never staged, only observed and, without intervention, captured.