What is a “Documentary” Photographer?
If you’ve been following my work recently, you’ll see that I’m transferring the focus of my work from trying to be a landscape photographer to seeing myself as a “documentary” photographer. But what does that exactly mean? Why am I doing so? And, why might you want to do the same?
A scene I “documented” in Autumn 2023 - Lumix S5 - Mid Wales
What is it?
According to Google Gemini (one of our new AI overlords), a documentary photographer is:
“A visual storyteller who uses photography to chronicle and interpret the world around them. They often focus on real-life subjects, events, and cultures, aiming to provide an accurate and insightful representation of their chosen topic.
Documentary photography can encompass a wide range of styles and approaches, from photojournalism to fine art. Some common characteristics of documentary photographers include:
A focus on real-life subjects:
Documentary photographers typically avoid staged or posed photographs, instead seeking to capture authentic moments and interactions.
A commitment to storytelling:
Their images often work together to create a narrative or explore a particular theme.
A sense of empathy and respect for their subjects:
Documentary photographers often build relationships with the people they photograph, seeking to understand their lives and perspectives.
A desire to inform and inspire:
Many documentary photographers aim to raise awareness of important social issues or to celebrate the diversity of human experience.
Documentary photography is a powerful medium that can inform, inspire, and challenge our understanding of the world.“
An image with a story to tell - Lumix G9ii - Eryri
All sounds quite high and mighty, doesn’t it? Well, this interpretation is the "serious” version of it, and one thing I do not do is take myself too seriously. The part I’d particularly like to focus on in my own work is the second bullet point: A commitment to storytelling.
Why am I switching?
In recent months, it’s become increasingly obvious that I just don’t have what it takes to become a landscape photographer: primarily, I haven’t got the freedom, time or money to do the travelling that is required to establish oneself as a landscape photographer. This isn’t a complaint, it's just a reality. One thing anyone can do, however, is tell a story. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you live, if you have a camera, then you can tell a story. And this is something that particularly intrigues me.
At the end of the day, a camera is just a tool. It’s like a paintbrush or a sketching pencil; a means by which you can create something. Some people use it to create portraits, some people use them to create beautiful landscape scenes, and some people use them to tell stories. All I’m doing is transferring to the latter.
I’ve always loved telling stories, and I feel like with my circumstances, this is an avenue I can pursue without the prohibitive friction of other styles I’ve dabbled in. And with this newfound option, I find myself with a newfound enthusiasm for photography again.
Canon R7 - Eryri
Why should you care?
I wholeheartedly believe that everyone should find photography accessible. Gatekeeping has no place in this craft. Due to factors such as “algorithms,” market saturation and lack of reach, many photographers are increasingly niching down. This leads to very narrow, stifled styles of photography. And when we feel stifled, we very rarely feel creative.
If you feel like your work needs freeing, like you want to inject some new creativity into your photography, then seeing yourself as a “documentary” photographer can be a truly freeing experience. You may actually find that you still do a lot of the photography you always have, but now you have freedom to move, to grow, and to adapt.
Freedom is the reason you should care.
