ART 268 Documentary Photography

Lecture Hours: 2
Lab Hours: 4
Credits: 4

Covers photographic concepts and aesthetics of documentary photography. Includes the development of a photo essay: story-telling through an edited series of images with effectively-captioned images; and well-crafted written essays that support and enhance documentary photo projects.

Prerequisite: ART 266 with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
Student Learning Outcomes:

Conduct research to develop an effective documentary topic.
Produce a project that explores photographic narrative in a photo essay.
Uses strategies to effectively edit images from the viewpoint of a photo editor.
Combine imagery with captions and a written essay.
Apply composition and image enhancement techniques.
Apply ethics and legal issues as related to photography and image use.
Use industry standard terminology in discussing concepts and techniques.

Content Outline

Photographs as Documentation
- History of documentary photography
- Influential photographers
- Narrative in a photographic essay
Concept Development of a Documentary Theme
- Cultural issues
- Social issues
- Environmental portraiture
- Event photography
Implementing the Photographic Project
- Planning
- Time management
- Editorializing the Photographic Narrative
- Edit images for emotional impact
- Sequencing of images
- Writing captions
- Writing supporting text essays
Printing and Presentation
- Basic layout
  - Grid based design
  - Typography
- Self-publishing photo books
- Portfolio production
Professionalism
- Privacy issues
- Ethics
- Copyright