Documentary portraits are becoming more popular than ever. While once more the domain of magazine features, they’ve become a lot more widespread over the last few years and can offer insight into a who a person is, rather than just what they look like. In this video, photographer Joris Hermans talks us through his seven top tips for shooting documentary-style natural light portraits.
Documentary photography legend Robert Frank dies at 94
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Robert Frank, documentary photographer best known for his 1958 book The Americans, has passed away on Monday, 9 September at his home in Nova Scotia, Canada. His death was confirmed by Peter MacGill of Frank’s longtime gallery Pace-MacGill.
Three reasons why you should use only one lens in documentary photography
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We have discussed several times why shooting only with one lens can be a good call. And no matter the genre you shoot, you can benefit from using only one lens. In this video from Advancing Your Photography, documentary photographer Daniel Milnor will share three reasons why you should use only one lens if you’re shooting documentary photography.
This photo wasn’t staged: wedding photojournalism or photojournalism?
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Wedding Photojournalism or Photojournalism? What’s The Difference?
This is an unposed, naturally caught moment at Rachael and Carl’s wedding at The Vineyard in Stockcross, Berkshire. It’s recently won a couple of awards from This is Reportage and the Wedding Photojournalist Association. It’s a striking image, and drew some criticism that it must be staged, or was not photojournalism. So I thought I’d explain why I believe this is wedding photojournalism, and how I came about taking this image.
How misconceptions affect travel photographers and how to avoid them
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There is a particular obstacle that stands in the way of almost all travel, documentary and cultural photographers alike and, for some reason, no one seems to be willing to talk about it – so I’m going to.
The way I see it, that obstacle could be best described as ‘Misconception’. No matter how hard I try to prepare for what may lay ahead in my photography projects, it never ceases to amaze me how much of a difference there is between what I think I’m going to find and what is really out there. So many times places I thought would be completely isolated from the outside world were overrun by travelers, and cultures I thought would be extremely protective of their arts turned out to be some of the most hospitable and welcoming people I ever met. My last photography journey in Ethiopia was a perfect example of just how these misconceptions can affect a photography project.
The fantastic potential of the documentary photography session
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I’m a documentary photographer. I work really closely with families, business and professionals and I create candid unposed images that show love when comes to families, and passion and hard work that comes with it when it comes to professionals. No posing, no smiling, no lifestyle images that pretend to be real. Pure photojournalism. Street photography principles taken inside.
Why you should take and save even the “crappy” photos
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Most of the photographers are very selective about what they put in the portfolio, and that’s understandable – you only want to show your best work. But what about those photos you wouldn’t really consider your best? Should you just delete them? In this video, Chelsea Northrup shares her view on taking and keeping even those “crappy” images. They might mean to you more than you think.
Slum pictures – let’s talk about ethics
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A walk on the trash mountains
My eyes are filled with tears, because of the smoke. The plastic-particles in the air are itching in my lungs. I am climbing this mountain with my two friends. The ground under my shoes feels funny. It softly cushions my steps, like fresh and loose soil, but I also tangle my feet every now and then. It is an awkward mass, this mountain of pressed trash. It consists of very different material and yet is an entity. A mountain of poison. Not only for the body, but also for the soul. And everywhere pigs! I think I have never seen so many pigs walking freely in the wild. Is that appropriate husbandry? I somehow start to understand, why some religions do resist to eat pork. If, by eating pigs, I eat what pigs ate, then abandoning might be a better choice.
These are the best lenses for travel and documentary photography
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Traveling and taking photos is bringing to of the most wonderful things together. Photographer Mitchell Kanashkevich has been capturing his travels for years, ending up with plenty of award-winning photographs. In this video, he shares his thoughts about the best lenses for travel and documentary photography. Would you agree with his choice?
Photographer hires Nigerian scammer to be a documentary filmmaker, and the results are beautiful
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Not long ago, photographer Adam Grumbo received a Facebook message from a “hot American girl.” It turned out to be a scammer from Nigeria, who wasn’t very good at pretending to be someone else. Instead of reporting or blocking him, Adam tried something unexpected. He hired the scammer to document life in his village and share photos and videos with Adam. Although unusual and risky, it turned out to be a great decision.
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