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Documentary Photography

Do you have something to say with your photography? This course teaches you the skills you need to get maximum impact from your images.



Course synopsis: Documentary Photography

Documentary Photography

Documentary Photography is an intermediate lesson in photography and is ideal for those who have completed any of our Beginners Photography camera-based courses and those who have a good understanding of their 35mm SLR film or digital cameras manual controls. If you have never really used your 35mm SLR film or digital camera on its manual settings before we would advise you to take either Camera Introduction, Camera Basics and even our Basic Photography from our Beginners Photography Skills courses, which provides students with all they need to know to go on to the Documentary Photography Workshop. This is an intensive course requiring the commitment to build upon the teaching sessions by shooting and printing between sessions to present at the next. You will also need to spend some time researching ideas for each session. However, we will not be shooting during the teaching sessions. Documentary photography aims to introduce you to practical skills needed to produce a picture story. The course leads you through the basics of visual storytelling. You will be able to make creative use of light and composition, have the ability to research ideas, make critical editing and sequencing decisions, captioning and use of different film and lenses.


Aim of the course: Documentary Photography

Throughout this course you will learn to understand the concept of documentary photography. You will learn how to research and develop ideas and through group discussion and feedback develop your work into a cohesive body of work.


Course Modules

What is Documentary Photography? (Module 210) Show Details Show Details
  • Documentary Photography Tradition and Practice
  • Documentary and Photojournalism
  • Visual Story Telling

Objectives of the Module
You will look at Documentary Photography through a brief overview of the tradition and practice. You will discuss the perceived differences between Documentary and Photojournalism and its critical context. You will discuss shooting series of images that relate to the photographer's personal environment. There will be an introduction to the basics of the visual storytelling and what are the constituent elements of the Picture Story, and how they work together. We will discuss cameras, lenses and film used in the practice.

Practical Exercise
Shoot 1 or 2 rolls of film to work on elements of the Picture Story. Research story ideas

Documentary Methodology & Practice (Module 211) Show Details Show Details
  • Composition
  • Sequencing the Picture Story
  • Research Methodology
  • Development of Ideas
  • Captioning

Objectives of the Module
Each student will receive critical feedback on the work they have shot and processed between sessions. You will explore through discussion and a practical workshop sequencing the Picture Story. You will discuss the ideas you have researched leading to a workshop on research methodology and development of ideas. You will also explore composition, types of shots needed and their impact and Practical Exercise on captioning.

Practical Exercise
Shoot 3 to 6 rolls of film to work on a picture story from one of the students developed ideas. Research story ideas

Finding Your Own Approach (Module 212) Show Details Show Details
  • Editing
  • Developing your own Direction
  • Image Content

Objectives of the Module
Each student will receive critical feedback on the work they have shot and processed between sessions. The session will start with a practical workshop on editing followed by a discussion of personal approaches and developing your own direction. You will look at the technical aspects of documentary photography including film format, black & white/colour, film/digital and available light/flash. You will discuss the content of your images and explore picture stories and picture series. You will continue the development of your story ideas.

Practical Exercise
Shoot 3 to 6 rolls of film to develop the picture story the students are working on.

Developing Your Picture Story (Module 213) Show Details Show Details
  • Evaluation and Assessment
  • Ethics and Trust
  • Presentation

Objectives of the Module
Each student will receive critical feedback on the work they have shot and processed between sessions. You will work on developing and finishing your Picture Story, with a look at the on-going editing process. You will learn and evaluate how to decide, approach and work with your subjects including issues around ethics and trust. There will a practical workshop on the presentation of your Picture Story. This module finishes with some realistic advice about selling work/agencies/media/exhibitions etc.

Practical Exercise
Distribution of information sheets containing reading lists, contacts, websites, galleries, festivals etc.

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Course Dates

Evening Courses
Reference Session Day Dates Time Availability
These courses are very popular and are scheduled subject to demand.
We only need three people to run them, so if you are interested in enroling
please call us on 020 7793 0000 to arrange possible dates.
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Progression Routes

Documentary Photography prepares students for academic study and vocational opportunities and our camera based Advanced Photography Skills courses such as Studio Lighting or Medium Format. You may also want to consider our Darkroom Techniques or Camera Techniques courses.
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Please make sure you have read our Course Terms & Conditions