Amber McNeila/Studio vs. Documentary Photography

Photography is an art form that serves a purpose beyond taking a picture of something, it captures a moment in time. This semester we have been studying different forms of photography, such as studio and documentary photography. The primary similarity between the two forms is that they both evoke some sort of emotion or analysis. No matter what the subject matter, the photographs force the viewer to think. In Keita and Sidebe's case the viewers may be analyzing the image to see  how wealthy the person in the photographs are or their social status. In Gordon Park's case, the viewer would have more of an intimate connection to the photograph because most of his images captured racial injustices and poverty. Both images serve to connect with a specific audience as well as photograph groups of people that were neglected in mainstream photography. Both types used men, women, and children as the subject material and black and white film was the medium. 

Despite the similarities in these types of photography, there are a few differences. The first as mentioned is the purpose of the photographs. documentary photography is supposed to photograph the raw truth as well as the minor details that go on in life. It captures the essence of everything. Studio photography seems to have a more narrow focus. The images Keita and Sidebe captured were often taken for the subjects to send to family members, friends or other loved ones. The subjects often dressed in nice clothing and posed with props or other individuals. The images appeared staged. It tries to portray some sort of perfection despite the apparent masquerade. The images almost seem as though they lack authenticity and the poses do not always appear natural.

In documentary photography, the images do not always have the same aesthetic quality as the studio photography nor is the subject almost always people, but they do have an organic appearance to them. The photo does not seem contrived or manipulated, although some photographs were definitely taken at specific angles to enhance certain aspects of the image and focus the audiences attention to a specific area. An example is the image i posted last week. The lines in the image draw the viewer towards the child with a missing limb, not to any other point in the image. The point of documentary photography is not to capture a pretty face. A pretty face does not always tell an accurate story. Besides there are no books that states that beauty needs to lie solely in the clothes worn or mood captured in the image. Beauty does not equate to happiness. Sometimes the most beautiful moments are the most vulnerable ones because they portray the essence of humanity and existence. Documentary photography often displays the truth whether the viewer wants to see it or not.  Whoever coined the expression "picture perfect" never bothered to zoom out of a studio photography lens.