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Documentary photographer: Job description and activities

Documentary photographers work for newspapers, magazines, and book publishers, almost always on a freelance basis. Their role is to convey a story in pictures. This may range from photographs from a war zone to a study of old age, or images of a landscape changing because of development.

Documentary photography is related to the role of Press photographer, but involves planning, researching and developing a story over a long period of time, rather than producing pictures intended for immediate publication. For examples of the documentary photographer’s art, see Vewd  .

Typical work activities include:

• taking pictures (digital or film) that reflect the reality of a situation (as documentary photography aims to convey facts not fantasy) and communicate the emotions and meaning behind a situation;
• developing the technical skills to work in unusual or challenging conditions, for example at night or in dynamic situations;
• gaining people's trust and being sensitive in order to take natural pictures - many of the subjects may be experiencing grief or fear;
• working closely with journalists and writers, often operating in partnership;
• operating in adverse conditions, for example on a bleak mountainside, in a seedy area of a town, or close to a battle zone.

For more information see Photographer.

AGCAS

Written by Ivana Morton-Holmes, AGCAS

Last updated:

July 2009

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