Becoming a Documentary Photographer: Career Opportunities

The job role of a documentary photographer is developed in the photography schools itself where the concept of photography is divided into different sub categories based on the requirement of the respective industries. Compared to other types, the usage of documentary stills is prominent in the field of newspapers, magazines and websites. At times, books related to documentary purpose also require documentary photographers to provide relevant content.

Developing a career in the field requires exceptional skill which can be developed over time and before venturing into the competitive scenario it is always wise to gain theoretical experience at a photography school. At the Academy of Art University, the graduation courses on photography is designed to tap the potential of a student and focus their visionary thought in a perceivable manner besides helping them create the perfect portfolio. Typically, photographers are freelancers and for a documentary photographer the milieu is no different as he or she will be required work on stills which are required for documentation purpose.

Typical work scenarios will include capturing the authenticity of old era, providing a brief pictograph of images that ranges from one culture to another indicating the change of generation, stills depicting landscape, monuments, historical buildings, and surveying images used for governmental organizations. There are striking similarities between a documentary and a press photographer but the work of the former is vast. Photography schools impart studies which is formed to teach on the research involved before picturing a old age or culture, planning methods for successful execution, developing story boards to relate the history to audience and managing photographical representations in a format which is ready for immediate publication in media or books.

Besides being an artist, a documentary photographer who is responsible for capturing the life of people and society needs to possess various assets such as the ability to communicate, understand the meaning and emotions behind a situation, deploying technical skills in unfavorable conditions, perceive the grief or fear of people to gain their trust and report it to the world, audacious to be in dangerous situations and co-ordination with press reporters for successful representation of the condition.