Eight Ways to Get Great Documentary Photos

By Anna Packham posted 04/01/08

Once the preserve of photojournalists, the documentary style of photography is popular now even in the most formal of settings, like weddings or other ceremonies, for the natural, interesting and often moving images it captures.

1. Be aware

Develop your perception. The most famous photojournalists were hyper-observant. They had the knack of noticing developing scenes and anticipating where and when the moment that would make the most powerful image would happen.

2. Be patient

Exercise patience. You may need to wait a long time for a crowd to clear, or for interesting action to take place. If you stand in one place long enough you become part of the scenery and it’s easier to take more candid photos.

3. Be quiet

To get natural shots, be as unobtrusive as possible. Forget the flash and choose a quiet camera (manual cameras are often quieter than digital). You can also use a long zoom to shoot from outside a scene and outside of other people’s awareness.

4. Get equipped

You’ll need to be able to get the shot in an instant so get to know your equipment to reduce the set-up time. Fast film and fast shutter speeds are essential. Black and white film can also give a documentary feel.

5. Get set up

Set-up the shot in advance where possible; pre-focus, set the exposure and formulate framing. Move yourself to refocus rather than risk missing the action while you tend to the camera. Also remember that unfocused or unusually composed shots can give more of an authentic documentary edge.

6. Get perspective

Shoot from the hip; snap a photo at waist height, supporting the camera with your body. It’s more discreet and it gives a more candid perspective. Likewise framing at an angle, zooming in, crouching down or getting some height can yield fresh and surprising results.

7. Seek action

Documentary is all about action. Take photos of people in motion, people absorbed in what they’re doing, people interacting with each other and the reactions on their faces as events unfold.

8. Do it often

To capture spontaneous action in the moment you need to have your camera ready at all times. Shoot lots and shoot often to get practise and experiment with technique. Know that when your friends are used to you taking photos around them, the more relaxed they’ll be, so you capture moments in their lives as they’re really being lived.

Thanks to Kris Krüg for providing the photos for this technique

You can find more of Kris over at staticphotography.com

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  • 25387993@N00

    Ed Thompson said...

    "your first 10,000 pictures are never that good." Henri Cartier-Bresson, he was the best. if you haven't scurinized "the Gare St. Lazare" photograph you really should it'll blow your mind as to whats capable in documentary.

    Posted on 05/01/2008 01:52

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  • 7410877@N05

    a.j.photography said...

    At events, if you can, try to carry a second body to allow a quick change from wide to long lens. I lost count of the times I missed a good shot by fumbling to change lens. Also try to get close, you get a feel for the action as well as being in better position to capture events unfolding.

    Posted on 05/01/2008 11:59

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  • 22546806@N02

    timemaker said...

    An extra body is worth the investment. You reduce you chance of missing the moment. It is actually cheaper than the journey to try to get the shot again. One wouldn't enter a tennis tournament with only one tennis racquet!

    Posted on 07/01/2008 09:52

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  • 22546806@N02

    timemaker said...

    Sometimes your camera on a tripod 'ready to go' with an infra-red remote, can work really well to reduce your influence on the scene or situation. Of course you may have to compromise on being able to frame the shot, but you do get non-intrusive shots!

    Posted on 07/01/2008 09:56

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  • 89052255@N00

    websitesarelovely said...

    i have 2 different styles for shooting documentary: 1. invisible, pretend you are detached from the situation (i often pretend i am taking photos of the sky), use a camera with a swivel viewfinder or just shoot blind and edit later. 2. the lovable idiot, if you appear non-threatening, playful or silly, then people usually warm to you, this is also really handy if you don't speak the language - a simple gesture of pointing the the camera or a thumbs up works most of the time.

    Posted on 07/01/2008 17:16

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  • 11307468@N06

    Steve Smith2 said...

    The loveable idiot, you will be supprised how well that works in all sorts of situations, got to admit thought, you are right - Ive used it a few times myself, getting quite good at it now lol. I personally look for crowds and try to pick a person out, I think that if it is crowded no one would think that you have singled them out plus you have plenty to chose from.

    Posted on 08/01/2008 09:30

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  • 8798197@N04

    lodrorigdzin said...

    how is that meant "manual cameras are quieter than digital cameras" the shutter on my ricoh grd is definitely quieter than the one on my leica rangefinder....what is meant by manual cameras: film cameras? phonecams have an artificial shutter sound that is impossible to turn off, perhaps that is meant. That aside, I think it is important to engage fully with a situation and the people in it. After all, I am there as a photographer and part of the context of the situation. I find that better photographs come out of a situation where it is obvious to the people there, that the photographer is also sacrificing something of his/her self, and can be seen to be committed to his/her subject and compassionate about the photographing s/he does....

    Posted on 08/01/2008 19:41

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  • 8798197@N04

    lodrorigdzin said...

    "You can also use a long zoom to shoot from outside a scene and outside of other people’s awareness." You can get arrested for that...

    Posted on 08/01/2008 19:43

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  • 8798197@N04

    lodrorigdzin said...

    try using a visibly long lens in the vicinity of a school and you'll find out...I usually work with wide angle lenses on the street, as these allow me to get close to the people I photograph...

    Posted on 09/01/2008 09:36

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  • 7410877@N05

    a.j.photography said...

    As far as I am awear taking pictures in a public place is thankfully not a crime, long lens or not. In fact my work often takes me to schools where i walk in with a ong lens on a very visible camera. Using a long lens for street work is always an option, and although it is sometimes not cosidered as pure by a hard core minority, pictures often come out as well if not better through the long lens being able to isolate the subject more effectivly. having said that I also love my 10-20mm lens for street work.

    Posted on 09/01/2008 14:43

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  • 11046736@N07

    mattwillshawphotography said...

    Some great useful comments here, thanks everyone!

    Posted on 14/01/2008 15:28

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  • 65428959@N00

    pjhunton said...

    I think the greatest thing about documentary photography is that you can immerse youreself in the surroundings and learn from observing people and their actions. It is an infinately creative subject that you do not control so you have to be bright and alert to everything thats going on.

    Posted on 15/01/2008 08:58

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