Documentary Photography Course
INTRODUCTION
Documentary photography is a genre of photography that seeks to capture real-life events, people, places, and social issues in an objective and truthful manner. The aim of documentary photography is to tell a story or convey a message through visual storytelling, often in a journalistic or editorial style. The photographer typically focuses on real-world subjects and events, such as political protests, social issues, cultural traditions, and everyday life. Documentary photography may involve long-term projects that require extensive research and planning, as well as the ability to work with and gain the trust of the subjects being photographed. The photographer may also need to be sensitive to cultural differences and ethical considerations, such as obtaining consent from the subjects and respecting their privacy. The resulting images are often used in books, magazines, newspapers, exhibitions, and online media, and can serve as a powerful tool for raising awareness and promoting social change.OBJECTIVE
The objectives of a course in documentary photography may vary depending on the specific curriculum and level of the course. However, some common objectives for a documentary photography course might include:- Understanding the history and development of documentary photography, including its role in social and political movements.
- Developing skills in visual storytelling and narrative structure, including the use of sequencing and editing.
- Learning how to research and plan documentary projects, including identifying subjects, accessing resources, and gaining access to subjects and locations.
- Developing technical skills in photography, including camera settings, lighting, and composition, as well as post-production techniques.
- Exploring ethical issues in documentary photography, including questions of representation, consent, and the photographer-subject relationship.
- Examining the social and cultural context of documentary photography, including issues of power, representation, and audience.
- Building a professional practice in documentary photography, including marketing, networking, and publishing.
COURSE CURRICULUM
The curriculum for a course in documentary photography may vary depending on the level of the course, the institution offering it, and the specific focus of the program. However, here are some of the key areas that may be covered in a course curriculum for documentary photography: Module 1. History of Documentary Photography: Understanding the origins of documentary photography and its evolution over time, including key practitioners and movements. Module 2. Visual Storytelling: Developing skills in creating compelling visual narratives using photography. Module 3. Technical Skills: Developing technical skills in photography, including camera settings, lighting, and composition, as well as post-production techniques. Module 4. Research and Planning: Learning how to research and plan documentary projects, including identifying subjects, accessing resources, and gaining access to subjects and locations. Module 5. Ethics: Examining ethical issues in documentary photography, including questions of representation, consent, and the photographer-subject relationship. Module 6. Cultural Context: Exploring the social and cultural context of documentary photography, including issues of power, representation, and audience. Module 7. Professional Practice: Building a professional practice in documentary photography, including marketing, networking, and publishing. Module 8. Critique and Analysis: Engaging in critical analysis and constructive feedback of one’s own work and the work of others. Module 9. Industry Trends: Staying up-to-date with current trends and practices in the documentary photography industry.SOFTWARE/ MATERIALS USED
- Adobe Lightroom
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Premier Pro
- Adobe After Effects (Overview)
Course Features
- Lectures 0
- Quizzes 0
- Duration 55 hours
- Skill level All levels
- Language English
- Students 27
- Assessments Yes
