Do you shoot documentary projects?

[Frankd]

I find it easier to shoot and organize my photography when I define a "project". Sometimes the projects are documentary other times landscape. Living in Chicago and other places as well we are confronted my so many possibilities that it helps to define a documentary project. I also want my project to say something about the social milieu that we live in. Recently, I did a documentary projects on commuters and an audio slide show on my experiences of the Chicago El and subway. Defining the project helped me to shoot and focus my work.

 

[Bob Michaels]

Hi Bob,

Remembering your photographs from Cuba, I can imagine that process working really well for you. I guess it also depends on what type of permission you're seeking. Getting access to a science project, or something a business is involved in, will always require overt permission.

I've always wondered how people get intimate access into the homes of their subjects...

Cheers,
Peter

Peter, access to homes are easy. I simply ask. Where there is a language barrier, such as in Cuba, I just use smiles, hand gestures, and body language. Most people respond positively when you exude confidence and friendliness.

Access to restricted areas that require affirmative response are similar. One does a bit of research, finds the right person who can say yes, then ask. Several years ago, I asked a local freight RR for complete access including riding in the locomotives and was told yes. That one amazed me.

Also key is to abandon any fear of failure. I believe that one element stands in the way of many people accomplishing their goals. Babe Ruth struck out more times than he hit home runs but which do we remember?

 

[Bob Michaels]

I find it easier to shoot and organize my photography when I define a "project". ...... Defining the project helped me to shoot and focus my work.

I am exactly the same. I burned a lot of film from the mid 70's to the mid 80's without self direction and eventually quit photography because I did not see where I was accomplishing much. I restarted in the late 90's much more focused and am now happy.

There is the perpetual problem with labels such as "documentary projects" because we each have our own definition. To me, a "project" means the desired result will be a tightly edited cohesive body of work, ready for presentation, that conveys a predetermined message. Without that, most just end up with a large number of photos on a general theme. We are all different. I am just influenced by my retired career as a goal oriented businessperson.

I cannot photograph and then figure out what to do with what I have. I must have a predetermined objective and start putting the finished project together very early in the photographing process, even a mental image if a very short project. That tells me what photos I need to add to best be able to deliver my desired message.

My "projects" can be as short as 3 hours like the one I did last Sunday on a tent revival I passed by in Alabama. http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2486388&postcount=473

Or my projects can be over 5 years long and continuing such as my depictions of ordinary Cuban people in their natural environment http://bobmichaels.org/Cuba_intro.htm but my basic approach is similar

 

[Peter David Grant]

Peter and I apologize in advance because you probably already know this but I remember Davidson talking about East 100th Street and the problems he had at first getting the peoples trust. He worked a lot with a view camera (not at all suggesting that LoL) but he went down to East 100th St everyday. If I remember correctly said at first he wasn't getting anything. But then after some time the folks there started warming up to him, started calling picture man and he started to get invited into their homes and private spaces. Not saying this is the right approach for you but I think in any situation where you need some kind of personal access trust is a big deal. So my point is you need to gain the trust first, however and whatever that might require.

Boogie and his gang photographs would be another example.

Anyway, again I really enjoyed viewing your images and I hope to see more soon.

That is a great example, thank you for sharing it. While Davidson gained trust through showing up, I've been doing it via email... as confidence (and time... I sadly still have to work here 3.5days/week!) grows, I will have to give that a go.

I will be sure to share how the project progresses on the forum...

Thanks again for your time, really appreciated the insights.

 

[Peter David Grant]

I find it easier to shoot and organize my photography when I define a "project". Sometimes the projects are documentary other times landscape. Living in Chicago and other places as well we are confronted my so many possibilities that it helps to define a documentary project. I also want my project to say something about the social milieu that we live in. Recently, I did a documentary projects on commuters and an audio slide show on my experiences of the Chicago El and subway. Defining the project helped me to shoot and focus my work.

Hi Frank,

Yeah this has largely been my experience lately - otherwise I felt so unfocused and achieved so little.

I just checked out your Weavers and The EL, enjoyed them both. A really nice length as well - getting into multimedia is something I'd like to do, to better tell stories.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Peter

 

[Peter David Grant]

Peter, access to homes are easy. I simply ask. Where there is a language barrier, such as in Cuba, I just use smiles, hand gestures, and body language. Most people respond positively when you exude confidence and friendliness.

Access to restricted areas that require affirmative response are similar. One does a bit of research, finds the right person who can say yes, then ask. Several years ago, I asked a local freight RR for complete access including riding in the locomotives and was told yes. That one amazed me.

Also key is to abandon any fear of failure. I believe that one element stands in the way of many people accomplishing their goals. Babe Ruth struck out more times than he hit home runs but which do we remember?

Hi Bob,

I remember neither! I had to google Babe Ruth... I still don't really know who he is, but then I am from across the pond.

Yes, I've had a fantastic responses from those who I've researched and then requested access. It is how I've gotten all my access for An Unseen Oxford.

My fear of failure is certainly leaving me slowly but surely. One day, I will try and work like you do though. I have to give it a try.

I am exactly the same. I burned a lot of film from the mid 70's to the mid 80's without self direction and eventually quit photography because I did not see where I was accomplishing much. I restarted in the late 90's much more focused and am now happy.

There is the perpetual problem with labels such as "documentary projects" because we each have our own definition. To me, a "project" means the desired result will be a tightly edited cohesive body of work, ready for presentation, that conveys a predetermined message. Without that, most just end up with a large number of photos on a general theme. We are all different. I am just influenced by my retired career as a goal oriented businessperson.

I cannot photograph and then figure out what to do with what I have. I must have a predetermined objective and start putting the finished project together very early in the photographing process, even a mental image if a very short project. That tells me what photos I need to add to best be able to deliver my desired message.

My "projects" can be as short as 3 hours like the one I did last Sunday on a tent revival I passed by in Alabama. http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2486388&postcount=473

Or my projects can be over 5 years long and continuing such as my depictions of ordinary Cuban people in their natural environment http://bobmichaels.org/Cuba_intro.htm but my basic approach is similar

Words (or more, categories and labels) are never fully definable. It is just part of the landscape of communication. That said, I do prefer your definition of a project.

I checked out your stuff from last Sunday, and am impressed by your confidence and ability to switch on to shoot something like that. Producing a very short project like that, is something I am quite far away from doing. I enjoy pen and paper, deep thought and multiple days imagining situations and what I might want to capture.

Thanks again Bob, and everyone else for that matter. I've found this thread enlightening and enjoyable. Thank you all for sharing your thoughts.

 

[Frankd]

Hi Peter, Thanks for viewing my work and raising the documentary question. Multimedia is fun and the tools are easier now with computers.

Yes, I think that defining a project really helps shooting a project. Another thing that I find is that as one shoots on a project idea, the idea evolves. And as a result I find myself shooting on a different aspect to the idea that I did not originally have but is important. Reading and researching an idea is also very valuable to shooting a project.

 

[Bob Michaels]

...... Yes, I think that defining a project really helps shooting a project. Another thing that I find is that as one shoots on a project idea, the idea evolves. And as a result I find myself shooting on a different aspect to the idea that I did not originally have but is important. Reading and researching an idea is also very valuable to shooting a project.

Many will invest no more effort than being on site and tripping the shutter. That is the easiest part. But they neglect to formulate their thoughts about what message the project should deliver, how to deliver it, editing their work, and everything that goes into preparing the end product for presentation. The end result is no more than a large collection of photos which is OK if that was all they wanted to do.

I have an exhibit in June where the oldest photo was made only 8 years ago but has evolved from something started 16 years ago which has morphed quite a bit along the way.

 

[MikeDimit]

Interesting thoughts in this thread.
I do live in Bulgaria.More than 3 years ago I started again to shoot with a gifted Canon 500D and some soviet range finders. Mainly street life for myself. Then anti government protests started due to increasing poverty to all. Then the government resigned, another one was elected and they started the same policy of stupid lies and robbery. And people went to streets to protest. More than 420 days in a row. It is a long story to be told in small place like a forum. So I was there more or less all the time. What started as a photo story to be shown to my boy when he will be big enough evolve in a project with some 1-2000 photos. I have that idea to pick up some 70-100 frames and make a slide show but for an year I am beating about the bush . I get to realize that in social documentary it is a good thing to wait for some time to chill out, to let emotions go. So my point is after defining the project it is a good thing to settle some end point .