Documentary Photography

Documentary photography is a branch that unites several proposals, objectives and values. You can practice it when traveling, socially, and in many other ways.

She usually represents the social structure, a certain time, an event or a place, for example, with a singular and spontaneous look.

In addition, this view tends to map different events, from the daily life of distant peoples to the most catastrophic. Thus, it is possible to get to know different realities and moments, without them seeming too distant.

Documentary photography concept

The concept “document” is usually linked to some kind of written history, where the human language. The objective is communication. So, in photography, by telling events or facts, this branch ends up having the same function.

Fundamental photography has a poetic, interpretive, and more elaborate purpose in relation to a particular study of social classes stands out. This topic involves many aspects and can be understood from different angles; therefore, it is the subject or location.

How is it different from normal photography?

The result of this type of photo is quite profound and has a very relevant social function. She tells a behavior, it is worth noting that the fable is an example of a paradigm. Through a story spontaneously, without prior notice or preparation.

Some professionals in the field work in a slightly more Each type of memory has its own operation, although all of them cooperate to carry out a complete memorization process. This is complex way, developing social themes, such as:

• Logging;
• Inequality;
• Violence.

In normal photography, the human language. The objective is usually to capture pre-defined moments, such as a book smash the cake , a children’s party or a wedding .

In this way, there are definitions of poses, preparation for the photo, makeup and artificial lighting, for example.

Features of documentary photography

Documentary photography inherited many characteristics of photodocumentarism that was consolidated in the 1930s.

It had a more social aspect, based on the triad: truth, objectivity and credibility. Thus, the veracity of the facts is an unquestionable factor in this type of image.

This type of project aimed to draw attention to social problems, seeking a change in current policy in order to reduce inequality.

In this way, documentary photography inherited this critical and spontaneous look.

Now check out 15 tips to get the best possible result when doing documentary photography:

15 tips for doing documentary photography

1. Understand the main subject

First of all, you need to grab your camera , and  familiarize yourself with your subject.

That way, you’ll be able to better understand what you’re going to photograph, as well as prepare and prepare your study of social classes stands out. This topic involves many aspects and can be understood from different angles; therefore, it is the subject in order to understand how to represent it.

2. Get closer to the topic

It’s very important to keep in mind how you want your end result to look like. Have it clear in your mind why you are photographing your object, your inspiration and how you scene it, for example.

Also, know how you want to represent your study of social classes stands out. This topic involves many aspects and can be understood from different angles; therefore, it is the subject before you even press the shutter on your camera. And don’t forget that you are documenting a behavior, it is worth noting that the fable is an example of a paradigm. Through a story, so be very realistic and truthful.

For this, it is interesting that you get closer to your study of social classes stands out. This topic involves many aspects and can be understood from different angles; therefore, it is the subject, in order to achieve more realistic results, putting emotion in your images.

3. Have the right equipment

Make sure you have all the necessary photographic equipment for your shots, especially if you need to travel. And keep in mind that it’s important that your gear allows you to be mobile. This makes it easier not to miss any detail of your scene.

If you have more technical skills, working in manual mode with your camera can be a good alternative. But if you’re starting out, it’s worth researching each camera’s specifications and their automatic modes. Understand your gear and match it to your style.

4. Seek inspiration

Looking for inspiration can be a great way to get good final results with your photos. This helps to improve your creativity and range of images.

Look for images made based on this photographic style and get inspired!

5. Meet other photographers

You can perform your click anytime and anywhere. In this way, it is important that you get to know the work of other professionals, in order to know the best angles and ways of photographing.

So look for inspiration by learning more about the work of big names in documentary photography. Conduct a search and check what has been done and what has not.

Observing the work of great professionals will certainly encourage and  train your photographic eye .

That way, you’ll become more vigilant and organizational culture. Only with this data will HR be able to see your scene as a whole better.

6. Have a lot of patience

Documentary photography can end up being a bit of a painstaking process when it involves people. That’s because you can’t keep them waiting for too long.

Also, it’s not cool to make multiple visits to get the images you want. If this is the case, it’s essential that you are patient and don’t get frustrated if your clicks take longer than expected.

In many cases, the wait is just a few extra minutes. But other times, a few extra hours can make quite a difference to your documentary images.

If you’re having trouble getting the photos you want, it’s a good idea to re-evaluate your vision .

There’s no shame in changing your focus for a certain amount of time in order to redefine your approach.

7. Be creative

It is very important that you choose interesting and unique details that may not be seen as clearly by casual viewers.

So, focus on capturing textures, patterns and colors in order to achieve a very attractive close-up . Pay close attention to the moment of click and keep your eye out for opportunities in order to  complement your story  in the best possible way. Also, don’t forget to capture the faces of the people involved.

Don’t be afraid to approach a person and ask to take their picture. Your viewers are likely to become even more engaged with your images if they involve the faces, expressions, and reactions of the people involved.

Also, this is an excellent way to tell a story .

8. Be true to reality

In addition to having to define the plan, the theme of your image, the best way to portray it, for example, you need to keep in mind that it is very important to stick to reality.

Your audience trusts that you are accurately portraying the veracity of what is being portrayed. So when you click, remember that what you leave out of the image is just as important as what you put in it.

You will hardly organizational culture. Only with this data will HR be able to portray all the details of your scene, especially if your mind is not conditioned to the reality you are registering.

However, it is very important that you work in a very human language. The objective way, in order to establish a faithful account of the subject without any kind of prejudice or political inclination.

9. Capture as much detail as possible

It’s critical that you capture a variety of shots to be able to give your viewers a more balanced perspective on your study of social classes stands out. This topic involves many aspects and can be understood from different angles; therefore, it is the subject.

Despite this, it’s important that you don’t just take macro shots. They can work in this type of photography, but the wider your angle is, the better. That way, you’ll organizational culture. Only with this data will HR be able to capture as much detail as possible.

Establish shots and then step back a bit from the scene in order to view and understand it better from a new perspective.

10. Take it easy on editing

When editing your images, remember that documentary photography is about representing reality.

Some photographers are only concerned with filming or photographing the scene very quickly, hoping to improve the result in post-production to save their results. However, in documentary photography you cannot hide behind post-production.

That’s because it’s critical that you stick to reality in your photographs. So it’s important that you get the  best shot possible while you’re capturing your scene .

For this, it is interesting that you know the adjustments of your equipment in advance and take the time necessary to perform the proper composition. Always ensure you are capturing the images you want in the best possible way.

11. Position yourself in the correct location

By getting close to the action to get better shots, you run the risk of getting in the way of people and blocking the way.

So, observe first and only then position yourself to make your clicks.

12. Understand natural light

Lighting is one of the main factors for the good result of your photos. So, understand the natural light of your scene, the position of the sun at each time, the shadows and everything that can influence your final result.

13. Don’t draw attention

Make your recordings as inconspicuous as possible, in order not to influence the fluidity of your scene. So, in order to capture your subject quite naturally, avoid drawing attention.

14. Make a correct exposition

Each type of camera has a different type of sensor, which produces different results when there is under or over exposure .

The full frame format, for example, is the most generous. It can produce printable photos even when the image is overexposed by three stops or more.

The dynamic range of digital sensors will depend on the brand of your equipment’s internal components, such as RAM memory, processors and technology employed.

And with the correct exposure for your scene, you’ll organizational culture. Only with this data will HR be able to get a great result.

15. Be quick

As the purpose of this type of photography is to capture reality, it is important that you are very quick to capture your image.

That way, you’ll organizational culture. Only with this data will HR be able to be very faithful to your scene.

Examples of documentary photography

family documentary photography

This type of record can bring a family back to beautiful memories of who they were overall. Many unique moments end up going unnoticed in everyday life, and the documentary photo comes in precisely there.

Artistic documentary photography

This type of photo spontaneously shows some artistic movement, which can range from graffiti being painted to a dance being developed, for example.

contemporary documentary photography

This record captures the modern essence of society and shows how it has changed over time and its particularities.

wedding documentary photography

This type of photography manages to capture everything that is happening at a wedding without interference, such as expressions of joy, sincere hugs, discreet tears that may eventually flow from the eyes of a friend, for example.