Documentary Photographers

The documentary genre can portray the topics of environmental, social and political issues depending on the photographers choosing of the story he/she are unravelling with their imagery. You can see in my proposal also other recent blogs, my key inspiration who is partly the reason why I chose this genre is Dmitry Markov. An astounding street/social photographer who documents, since becoming a recovered opioid addict, the occurrences of his life that stand out most and seem major to his continuous story. These images are all posted on his Instagram famous account.

Dmitry Markov

You can read my Bio on him in the blog post Unit 10: Genres but to familiarise yourself here is some of his imagery.

 

Steve Mccurry

Known as one of the most iconic voices in contemporary photography for more than thirty years Steve has displayed imagery in covers of books and magazines, countless exhibitions over the world. After he studied film Pennsylvania State University he began work at a local newspaper, and then several years of freelancing. Then he set out on the first of many trips to Indiana equipped with only a bag of clothes and a roll of film, he explored the subcontinent through the lens of his camera. His most prized image is known as the “Afghan girl” and was the cover on the national geographic June 1985 and I plan to do a blog post of this soon this term. Personally, I see the work he’s produces as environmentally friendly to a large some of humanity as it heals our perception of the world around us also the people within it.

Captured in west Bengal, Indiana Steve noticed an incredible shot of how in each carriage of the train holds a person or persons looking out at him and they all have a slightly unique reason for being on it. Each individual owns odd expressions and reactions to the camera mostly blank yet curious I can see in three of them, the grey-haired and fully white-eyed man has a bit of confusion mixed with an essence of anger built in his. Whilst a younger man in the carriage to his right seems happy behind perhaps a friend of his like he’d enjoy seeing the photo of him in it later. One woman looks busy on the far left carriage, obvious to the camera as if she’s wondering when the conductor will start the train moving while her friend covers the lower part of her face and gazes for the shot. The bicycles on the outside of the train remind me of the fact that a country you aren’t familiar with is like exploring a new world due to the governments funding and culture. At second glance I realize there are many more people than you notice probably because they find seeing a photographer with his camera more interesting than say western civilization would. I like this image and feel I could talk about the details within it a lot more.

I prefer this image more than the afghan girl presumably due to it seeming that he had invaded the personal space of the child yet the difference seen is the result of the reaction having a more positive outcome. The background fades to blackness as you look upward. Even though one hand is gripped to an arm, the child’s expression is near blank not showing a sign of shock or distress I find there is a peaceful and relaxed vibe about him like he is content with himself in the present moment. This was taken in Bagan, Burma and I wish to know further information to boys story/background, what does his life and living place consist of, is he from a monk monasteries? I have no clue but would enjoy knowing.

 

Deirdre O Callaghan

I found this photographer recently when researching current artist of the genre for my presentation and became hook with the subjects she would elaborate in the picture collections on her website. Her projects she’s undertaken over the years are massively diverse and engross your attention to understand the narrative. Deirdre’s most recent topic she documented is called “Skid Row” placed downtown Los Angeles where the story focuses on the homelessness, addiction and mental health issues that the residents are struggling with. Many appear to find solace in their music and I think she uses this as her key statement in the portrayal of Skid Row.

Skid Row

This nearly owns most of the traits she delivers within her chosen concepts except addiction I have no sight of that. Tents are seen in the background which symbolize the growing problem of homelessness but who ones maybe this man is homeless as well, I like how his hat matches his portable speaker. In most of the imagery, she displays in this collection on her website majority of the individuals have their own independent model of a speaker or headphones.

 

Richard Billingham

There’s a similarity between Dmitry and Richard in the sense that they capture the darker reality of life that surrounds them but the difference is Dmitry takes then posts separate single framed events that he experiences as a stranger looking in. While on the other hand, Richard invents one project at a time with multiple images focusing on one topic that either he believes in strongly or is personally involved in. The first idea happen by mistake when he captured photographs of his violent and alcoholic parents. These images were intended as studies for paintings but they took a life of their own. A tutor of Billingham’s art course came across them in a plastic bag then convinced him to display them in all their flash-lit squalor. Another project he’s done named Zoo which is an honest depiction of zoo life coming from the other side of the windows or cages. 

I find in his style he somehow captures the honesty of dysfunctional families in Britain. I have noticed that this honesty seemed to be portrayed in all his topics Zoo. All the images are not pleasant to look at for instance his father (Andy) face looks sad while his mother has a very aggressive stance. There’s a sense of hopelessness in this image and in each image of the project Zoo.

Black Country which is a collection of snapshots in his childhood neighbourhood consisting of dissolute urban streets, blocks of flats, car parks and backyards.