2. What is Documentary? Photo-journalism – creating photographic records of events for publication in news media Social-documentary – creating a photographic essay on a particular social group or issue not necessarily for publication in news media – maybe for exhibition or a book. Not necessarily portraiture – can include still-life, landscape, travel and interiors. War photography – as photo-journalism but recording war – the action, the people, the hardware, the aftermath, the landscape. Intended for immediate publication in news media.
3. Documentary Records Proof Evidence Accurate Truth Objective Subjective Neutral Opinionated Facts Political Ethical Campaigning Social issues
4. QUESTIONS The greatest thing a human soul ever does in this world is to SEE something, and tell what it SAW in a plain way... To see clearly is poetry, prophecy, and religion, all in one. - John Ruskin Discuss the documentary photographers whose work seems to live up to Ruskin’s ideals “Photography cannot change the world. But it can show the world, when it changes”. Marc Riboud. Do you agree with this statement? Discuss with arguments and examples for and against. "There can be no higher law in journalism than to tell the truth and to shame the devil…" – Walter Lippmann. Discuss examples of documentary photography that have ‘shamed the devil’. How have periods of economic decline been captured by photographers in the last century? Photographing poverty – what’s the point? Discuss. The use of photography to promote action or change in Social Advertising. Discuss with specific examples. Ogilvy, Saatchi Does a photo ever make a difference? How have photographs contributed to political or social change? Discuss with specific examples. What is documentary photography? Compare and contrast the approaches of 3 key practitioners in the field.
5. "I have been a witness, and these pictures are my testimony. The events I have recorded should not be forgotten and must not be repeated." James Nachtwey
6. "There can be no higher law in journalism than to tell the truth and to shame the devil…" – Walter Lippmann
25. Some examples of War Photography http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/interactive/2011/jun/18/war-photographers-interactive
26. Some examples of Social Documentary photography by Ian Berry http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/gallery/2011/jun/21/refugee-week-focus-exhibition-in-pictures#/?picture=375886240&index=0
