(see handout for further details and photgraphers)
Susan Sontag 1979 - something predatory in the act of taking a picture.
Documenting for history's sake or to make a point?
Documentary Photography - a subjective stance in an attempt to persuade, for the benefit of humanity.
Debunks the idea that the camera is only truthful, it is neutral, it is unbiased.
Displacement from the scene, having no effect on the events, giving the impression the recorded event is unbiased.
In contrast with being within the scene, affecting it yourself.
The Decisive Moment
Henri Cartier Bresson
Photography achieves the highest commendation
Jacob Riis, 1888, Bandits Roast
using photos as a doorway into how other people live
people present themselves to the camera, not a true depiction of the world
how the photographer represents you vs how you want to be presented - conflict of interest.
Artificial representation - staged photograph
Lewis Hine 1908
shows more empathy, humanity, reality?
F.S.A Photographers - 1935-44
used as both photojournalism and emotive lobbying tool
All participants given a "shooting script" of staged photos
total agenda, falsified images
Russel lee, 1939, "Interior of a Black Farmer's House
Dorethea Lange, 1936 - "Migrant Mother"
Often attempts to make direct comparisons to recognised images and truths.
Disguised as neutral, essentially propaganda?
Walker Evans - reminder of our own mortality
Victorian Era - photography in a colonial context
John Lamprey, 1868, front and profile views of a malaysian male
about power + imperial agenda vs scientific image
Mass Observation 1937-1960's
Robert Capa, 1945, Normandy Photographs
Seems unfair to question the truth in these pictures as nobody else would go there?
"Capa Shudder" - actually scared or his own devices?
Magnum Group
Bresson + Capa
- documenting the world + its social problems
internationalism + stability
Robert Haeberle
"People about to be shot" - the last moment of a persons life
moral question - should he have intervened?
Key Features of Documentary Photography:
- offers a humanitarian perspective
- tend to portray society + politics
- tend to be objective (debatable)
- people tend to be the subject matter
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