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The History of Documentary Photography



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Documentary photography is rooted in the 19th century when the underclass was more vulnerable. In this era of self-help, the poor were seen as failures and warnings to others. The public, however, was detached and morbidly interested. A greater concern might be caused by seeing photographs of the lives in the cotton mills, coal mining, and slums. In fact, some say that the rise of documentary photography brought about a shift in public perception.

Photographs of The Great Depression

The Great Depression of 1930s hit America hard. It burst the post-World War 1 bubble, leaving millions of Americans broke. There are many remarkable photos from that time that capture these historic years in color. The Library of Congress holds a large collection of these images that were used for the 2006 exhibit Bound for Glory, Photographs of America In Colour. Photographs taken by the Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information document the conditions of Americans during this time, and are particularly poignant, as they portray the era in its entirety.


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Work of Robert Capa

Robert Capa captures the human condition in photographs. Capa photographs are some of our most memorable. They depict men with dignity and a gentle seriousness - without cruelty, rancor, or submission. Capa was born and raised in a poor country but his photos show the compassion, principle, and humanity of ordinary people. Capa's photographs of poor people reflect a deeply rooted humanism. His photographs have inspired and motivated millions of people worldwide to act in the same way.


Diane Arbus, Work

Diane Arbus's documentary photographer isn't often considered "funny," however, she wasn't naive. She described herself as "two-faced" and "a little too nice," and often depicted the flaws of her subjects. Her work was beautiful and touching, and she captured the disapproval from the entire world. Her images of the Freaks and people who challenge them are timeless.

Parks' Work

Documentary photography by the revolutionary Parks was an important part of the civil rights movement and remains an inspiration today. His photographs captured the every-day indignities and struggles of African Americans in the smallest detail. Whether a Black custodial worker in Washington, DC, a gang leader in Harlem, or a young girl in a gang uniform, Parks' images capture the human spirit. The images in many cases criticize the United States' racial policies.


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Dorothea Lange works

Born in New York City in 1912, Dorothea Lange first took up the camera during the Great Depression. Photographing homeless and groups of men was what she started to do. She also began to photograph protests and social unrest. Her photos reveal a uncompromising humanism, which earned her instant recognition. Other photographers of the era were impressed by her photographs, including Edward Weston and Imogen Cunningham of Group f.64.




FAQ

How do I become an excellent photographer?

Photography is an art. It requires dedication, patience, dedication, and, above all, passion. If you love photography, you'll be doing better than if only you were going after the money.

You should learn how your camera works. Understanding composition, lighting, exposure and depth of field are all important. You also need to have a decent understanding of Photoshop.

Photographing is not an easy task, but once you have mastered it, there is nothing more satisfying than creating images that capture moments that are lost in time.

Learn more about the subject and then take classes or participate in competitions to enhance your skills. This will allow you to gain confidence and experience which will result in improvement. What equipment is required?

It all depends on the type of photography that you are interested in. If you're interested in landscape photography, for example, you'll need a wide-angle lens.

If you're interested in portrait photography, you should get a telephoto zoom lens.

When taking photos, a tripod is essential. It allows for you to sit back and compose your image without moving.

Camera bags are great for carrying your accessories, such as memory cards and cameras.

A flash unit is necessary if you are using a compact camera.

For beginners looking to capture professional-quality photos, a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera) is the best option.

DSLRs are highly popular for their ability to control every aspect of a photo, such as shutter speed and aperture, ISO sensitivity, white-balance, focus, and white balance. These cameras also offer a variety of features, such as autofocus (auto-exposure locking), self-timer bracketing and RAW format.


What is rule of thirds for photography?

The rule of thirds is an easy way to create interesting compositions without using complicated camera settings. It divides your photo into nine equal parts horizontally as well vertically. This divides your image into three areas that you would like to see your subject. These are the top and middle thirds (in the upper left corner), as well as the bottom and lower right. These areas can be used to position your subject within your frame.

You can avoid placing important elements too close together, or too far apart, by using the rule of thirds. If you place them near each other, they may not have enough space between them to make a strong visual impact. If they are placed too far apart, it can cause them to lose focus.


Which Lenses should I Use?

The most popular question that beginners ask is "What lens do I need?" Because there are so many options, it can be difficult to choose.

You don't have to buy a brand new lens each time you purchase a new camera. You can simply add lenses later.

These are just three options for lenses that you might consider.

  1. Wide Angle Lens (14mm to 24mm): These lenses allow you to see more of your subject from a wider angle. You can zoom in, but not lose image quality.
  2. Normal/Standard zoom lens (28mm -70mm). These lenses allow the user to adjust focal lengths while still maintaining good image quality.
  3. Telephoto Zoom Lens (70mm–200mm) : These lenses are ideal for photographing distant subjects. These lenses let you focus on the subject even if they are small.

These lenses can also be combined to produce different effects. You can use a normal lens for close-up detail and switch to a zoom lens to capture distant objects.


How do I look beautiful in photographs?

Photographing yourself is the best way to make sure you look professional in your photos. You'll learn how you pose for the camera and which angles are best. Learn how to use lighting, props and other tools to enhance your natural beauty.

Learn how to select clothes that fit you well, what make-up looks good on you and what hairstyles best suit your style.

And if you're not happy with the results, we'll show you how to retouch your images using Photoshop and other editing software.

So, go ahead - take some self-portraits!



Statistics

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  • In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. (wikihow.com)
  • The second easiest way to get blurry photos 100% of the time is to use a cheap filter on the front of your lens. (photographylife.com)



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How To

What are the essential skills required to be a professional photographer?

The basic skills required for any photography job include technical knowledge, artistic ability, and business acumen.

Technical knowledge includes understanding exposure settings and camera functions, lens types, film speeds, developing techniques, and lens types.

The ability to create art requires understanding composition, lighting and posing, as well as knowing how to use Photoshop or other editing software.

Business acumen includes budgeting, scheduling and time management. It also involves dealing with clients.

A passion for photography is essential if you are to become a professional photographer.

You can learn about photography by taking classes at school or college or through online courses.

You will also find many books on photography that can help you.

Not only is it important to study photography, but it is also important to develop your style.

This will allow you to stand out from other professionals in your field.

Photography has changed throughout the years. In the past people used cameras like the Kodak Instamatic or Polaroid instant camera.

Digital cameras are becoming more popular than ever. Today, the majority of photographers use their smartphones to shoot photos.

You can get a smartphone that captures high-quality pictures, but if photography is your passion, you must invest in a DSLR camera (Digital Single Lens Reflex).

A DSLR can be used to control every aspect, from shutter speed, aperture, ISO, sensitivity, white balance, focus, and white color.

These features allow for you to create incredible photographs and effects.

These controls can also be used to alter the mood in your photograph.

For example, you could make your subject appear blurry by using a fast shutter speed.

Or you could make them look like they are moving by increasing the amount of light entering the camera.

You can also change the scene's color temperature to alter the mood.

You might increase the red value of the picture if there's a lot blue light.

It may be difficult at first to determine which direction your camera should point.

Once you get the basics down, it will be easy to see that it's not difficult at all.

It's actually easier than you think!

When you first start out, you will probably only shoot landscapes or close-up shots of objects.

Do not worry! As you gain experience, your ability to capture portraits and abstracts will improve.

Once you've mastered the basics you can move on and learn more advanced subjects.

These are some tips to get you started.

  1. Pick a great location. Choose somewhere where you can relax and enjoy yourself.Avoid places that are too busy because you won't be able to concentrate properly.
  2. Choose something you find interesting to photograph. Look for things that are unusual or unique.Try photographing flowers, animals, or even insects.
  3. Take plenty of practice pictures. Practice makes perfect!
  4. Experimentation with different angles is possible. Depending on the goal, hold your camera in a different way.
  5. Use different lenses. Different lenses can offer you different perspectives.
  6. You can also shoot in low-light conditions. Shooting under bright sunlight can be very challenging.
  7. Learn how to frame your shot. Frames are an important skill when you capture an image.
  8. Learn how to use your camera settings. It is a great way to improve your photography skills by experimenting with the settings of your camera.
  9. Keep learning new techniques. There are many methods to learn photography. Check out local museums, galleries, museums and libraries.
  10. Read books and magazines. Everything you need to know about photography can be found in books and magazines.
  11. Join a club. Photograph clubs often host events that encourage members sharing their work.




 



The History of Documentary Photography