Creating and conserving legacies through documentary photography
Photographs own stories within. But there are some photographs which come along with a whole storyline and makes us travel through a particular situation completely. It captures everything about a scenario and conveys it to the spectators not leaving a single point. Documentary photographs have a way of reaching people and marking history through it’s fresh and impactful statements.
Over their influential portrayal and visual effect, documentary photographs captivate our attention to real-life situations of certain moments from which photographers pull a significant moment and capture. In documentary photography, pictures and the written word complement each other and reflects how specific images could express things in a more subtle and effective way.
A considerable portion of analysis and planning goes into the work of documentary photographers. They have to spend plenty of time spotting potential theme and locations. This is integral for photographers to plan and get a sense of direction. These photographs are not primarily aimed at reflecting what people “already know about a country or situation, but delivering an awareness that there are many realities in different parts of the world that are excluded from the mainstream attention and that our understanding of the place and its people has repeatedly been too modest.
Varying from photojournalism, which focuses on conveying news events and street photography, that express intriguing instant of everyday life occurrences, documentary photography usually focuses on ongoing issues and stories, such as environmental change and human rights. The first instances of documentary photography can be traced back to British photographer Philip Delamotte, who captured the important events of American Civil War between 1861 and 1865.
Documentary photographers have this desire to get in on that story and to excavate at least an aspect of it. In the end, it isn’t about their story. Documentary photos are considered as the mirror of photographers soul, they often reveal more about photographers mind. They often capture the life that mirrors their realities back to them. For them photography is about creating a relationship, whether for some minutes or a longer period.
Photographers persist in telling interesting stories and bring them to peoples attention. They have to be personally connected to the work they are doing or it becomes just another job. Unfortunately, this kind of work is recognized less and commercially not very conceivable on its own. These photographs deserve to receive some great recognition from the photo industry and major publications. Even though many of the documentary photographs such as ‘Migrant Mother’ by Dorothea Lange, ‘Napalm Girl’ by Nick Ut achieved world recognition and awards, the value of documentary photographs is still behind the curtains.
Documentary photographers are giving their audience chances to follow their journey and view their process. The more that photographers can connect with audiences, the more likely they are to successfully engage them. We get to know about the way of happiness, sorrow, hope and many more emotions of people across the world, and the person behind it is the person behind the camera.
Documentary photographers play an important role in today’s society. They are at the lead of vital issues stretching the world. They extend space into the lives of people and places that are generally inaccessible. In the ever-evolving world, these photographs act as a reflection of transformation.
Documentary photographers play an important role in reshaping public opinion. The definition of humanity is the same everywhere. Maybe the rhythm is different but the essence is the same. Documentary photographs help society and cultures see what’s happening around it and make sense out of it. Despite challenges, the art of documentary photography remains as important as ever. Documentary photographers still manage to push through the confusion and degree of today’s hectic society.
We cannot stress that documentary photographs create change, but it does create a script that hopefully will lead to change. And that is one of the most significant things that we need to remember about them. Photographs have created some certain changes. The integral part is the conversation that takes place after the image is seen. If it develops a conversation where people become more aware of an issue, and that conversation goes distant then a photograph is considered to achieve it’s goal.
Social skills are an extremely important characteristic the photographer wants to develop to get close to the subjects they are trying to capture . They need to gain trust and confidence of models. If they just get to a place and start taking pictures with a sheer motive of documenting something, it will end up with a work that lacks intimacy and meaning. It won’t feel connected to the subject and the structure surrounding them.
Human nature is ruled by social interaction. We are all social beings. Getting along with what’s happening around us is not so hard if we realise the value of documentary photographs.
For me, documentary photography has always come with great responsibility. Not just to tell the story honestly and with empathy, but also to make sure the right people hear it. When you photograph somebody who is in pain or discomfort, they trust you to make sure the images will act as their advocate. -Giles Duley.
And the world can assure that there is a community of devoted photographers, telling the stories that deserve to be heard. All we have to do is listen.
