Documentary Practice Essay

Documentary practice is the recording of a documentary project; in photography it usually creates an accurate and straightforward perception of people, places, objects and events and is often used in reportage. Documentary photography is highly important in society as images have the power to highlight stories that are gaining enough coverage. It is a vital tool to help bring change to society. By the beginning of the twentieth century, photography was well on its way to becoming the visual language that it is today, the persuasive agent of democratic communication. Photographers first used documentary practice to expose societies evils such as degrading work conditions, the barbarism of child labor and the devastation of war. This was only the beginning of documentary practice. Documentary practice today is still at large and just as important, however it can also give false accounts as to what is actually happening during an event.
Objective photography is an image fuelled by an impersonal impression, feelings or preconception. It is not intended to be creative but more so to keep a journal of events, objects or people all based on facts that would be regarded as significant in society. Many different fields such as Forensic, medical and war photography are all considered to be objective. Subjective is more a creative or artistic approach; the aim is to make a personal interpretation, a composition to capture an image with style. The photograph may include portraiture, still life or landscape. The aim is typically to create an image by using a variety of methods or processes such as props, settings, lighting unusual angles, dark room printing or developing techniques. It generates a photograph that tells a story or invokes, describes a mood, conveys an atmosphere or emotion. 4.0 Aesthics, Conceptual and