Transitioning from Street to Documentary Photography

This course takes you on a journey from being a street photographer to becoming a documentary photographer. I explain how those genres differ, what you need to know about both, what principles to follow to be a good documentary photographer and then show you how I started getting assignments. I talk about my first assignment at a legendary Gleason's Gym where legends of boxing trained for their fights - what was the plan and how I executed it. I mention the importance of a long-term project and having a long-distance attitude when working on a documentary project. Another important aspect that is being discussed is publishing your work and different avenues to explore. At the end students will be suggested a project that will get them involved, dip their toes in a new uncharted territory in a smooth way.

This course is for you if you are trying to venture into documentary photography while already feeling comfortable with street photography, but also if you are just curious to see a case study of such transition. I hope you enjoy it and - as always - feedback is very much welcome.

PROJECT DESCRITPION

Document your neighborhood or surroundings, make me feel what it's like to live there. Be specific! A broad approach isn't usually the best, it's the details that matter and through a specific person, place or time we can achieve showing a bigger pictures much easier. Instead of working on "documenting your neighborhood" work on documenting a specific place in that neighborhood, like playgrounds or your local grocery store. Document specific people, the guy who sells fruits and vegetables on the corner or your neighbor who has lived there ever since you remember.