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i found an article or discussion primarily based on the proper manners in taking a picture of a person. The discusion was focused on the idea of whether or not a photographer needs to ask the subject of the picture before or aftert the picture, or just sumply not to ask them at all. The veiw pionts varied from photographer to photographer, some sugested the use of unique lenses to take pictures from a distance without the subject realizing, it was intersting.
Posted 52 months ago.
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I looked at the discussion "What is Social Documentary". It was interesting. Some of the people believed that it has to do more with composition and forethought and ohters think that it somes from what the photographer thinks and feels. I learned that many people do not think image manipulation should be used in social documentation. The tips and advice is contested, so you have to pick and choose what information you follow.
Posted 52 months ago.
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one thing that i learned from the discusion board i read is there are two ways to go about taking social documentary photos. You can talk and get to know your subjects before shooting and ask their permission or you can just shoot and hope they dont see. it depends on which you like better and what you might think is more polite. some people prefer for their subjects not to know they are taking the picture so that is something else to take into accout.
Posted 52 months ago.
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i found an article/ discussion about the struggles of immigrants. Although the groups have now written responses to their work, the picture speaks enough about it. It shows the fear that the immigrants have to face everyday. All the pictures in this segment are very emotional and it captures the idea that the life of an immigrant is very hard. All these people want is to live the american dream and even though i think that the immigration policy needs to be rethought, i still feel for their struggle.
Posted 52 months ago.
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I thought the debate of the actual definition of "social documenary" was interesting. many people had lots of different ideas. Some thought the pictures are propaganda makers. SOme thought it was about people with social problems- immigration trouble ect. But i agreed with "Kim Shattuck". She said, "Isn't social documentary just about photographing people, places and situations as they unfold and how they are? To show how different people live and different places." I agree with her view. She says it perfectly.
Posted 52 months ago.
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i found an article that talks about how people just either come up to their subjects and get to know them and then relax during the picture. and how other people just get almost right in their face and the people dont even notice that they are being captured on the camera. others just take a quick pic and then get out of that place.
i think that in order to take a picture of someone you should at least tell or ask them to take a picture of them. its kinda rude to just snap a pic of them.
Posted 52 months ago.
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In response to Alex, I do not think that social documanary pictures should be manipulated. they can be thought out and planned but they should be natural.
Posted 52 months ago.
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I agree wiith Karina agreeing with Kim Shattuck. That is a great opinion and an easy way to do Social Documentary.
Originally posted 52 months ago.
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Red niner niner edited this topic 52 months ago.
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I think that its true that documentory photos should not be altered, because the photos if altered then you really loose what makes them the docuentory photo in the first place, you loose the realness of the photo
Posted 52 months ago.
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I also looked at a discussion about the different angles you can take while making a photographic documentary. There were different views but most people in the discussion agreed that it can be a documentary as long as it is not too modified, and the theme is of a social situation or problem. Anything to do with people works. It was good for me to read because I wasn't sure what a social documentary was supposed to look like or like any guidelines you are supposed to follow. I think that as long as the pictures are not changed too much and the subject matter is focused on one general situation or problem with people, then it is a social documentary.
Posted 52 months ago.
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hey luken2008- good comments on the immigrants issue. its a serious issue that not enough people pay attention to.
Posted 52 months ago.
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I think that it's okay if you stage the photos as long as you get your point across.
Posted 52 months ago.
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i really agree with brittany. pictures are naturally pretty, thats is why you even take a picture, to capture the natural theme
Posted 52 months ago.
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i read the discussion, "how to get close to your subjects?" and found it very interesting. there was an issue of whether of not to ask permission when taking a pic of someone. many people said that they dont ask permission, they just take the picture. some people did say that they asked permission. people said that you need to become a part of the event when documentaring. an interesting view on taking the photos would be shooting at waist height. someone said that a good strategy is to live with your subjects so that you can become to know them better so that your photos are more interesting.
Posted 52 months ago.
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i have learned from the disscussion board that most documentary photography involves people but it doesnt have to. documentary photography, I believe is about photographing an figure or sequence of images that for their part explain situations that they get into it is usually about an event/happening at a given moment in time on "social issues" or on society. the pictures speak for themselves. one tip i read about is be stealthy, and buy a really expensive camera. when documenting people it is easier to ask for forgivness then to ask for permission. i love photography
Posted 52 months ago.
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I looked under "What is Social Documentary?" It is very interesting. Many people believe that social documentary consists of taking pictures of people in their truthful situations while a few other people believe you can take a picture that gives a false appearance. Most posters all agree that social documentary tells a story of a certain people group concerning how they live their life. I don't think that social documentary has to always include people.
Posted 52 months ago.
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If you feel you don't have access to some of the groups discussed, like immigrants or people in the midst of war, etc... What is your experience, what are you familiar with, what do you have something to say about...?
How could you document your city or suburb, how could you show the culture of your neighborhood or your church? A lot of you have experiences with specific groups and subcultures that could be just as interesting if done well... and open a window to someone from a different part of the world or country into how that thing is and what you think about it...
Posted 52 months ago.
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i agree with buddy. you have to either be polite or not
Posted 52 months ago.
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going off on what drew said... i think that you should take the picture first and capture the moment, and then ask the person in it if it is okay to show others the picture and get to know them a little bit...
Posted 52 months ago.
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i agree with hallalogan his idea that documementary photography tells a story that is very true baby
Originally posted 52 months ago.
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badben edited this topic 52 months ago.
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i somewhat agree with drew, you do have to be polite because they might get mad at you and do something to you.
Posted 52 months ago.
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I think Drew's discussion is very puzzling. People are arguing over whether it is proper to ask permission before shooting a photo or to just try to sneak it in without them knowing. One person says "it is better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.
Originally posted 52 months ago.
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wonpet edited this topic 52 months ago.
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I read about whether or not one should talk to the subject of the photo before taking it. Many people said they preferred just secretly taking the picture because then it was candid and their presence did not influence it. Others said that getting to know the subject of the photo was the point of taking the picture, so they would suggest talking to the subject before taking the picture. I personally believe that either way is fine as long as you are respectful to your subject.
Posted 52 months ago.
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everyone is working so hard this is great.
Posted 52 months ago.
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idk if i had to do a documentary on this general area i'd probably do it on like the poverty that exists in minneapolis because a lot of countries around the world believe that all americans are wealthy. that is not the case, and maybe those people could change their oppinions about us, because all americans are certainly not wealthy.
Posted 52 months ago.
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dan, sometimes candid pics would be embarissing for them to have pictures taken.
but i agree with the second part of it
Posted 52 months ago.
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i love this environment
Posted 52 months ago.
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I agree with chick101. I think as a photographer you should be polite to the people you are photographing.
Posted 52 months ago.
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if youre respectful then how can they get embarressed?
Posted 52 months ago.
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i read "can i take your picture?" the argument was whether one should ask to takes one's picture before it is taken, or just take the photo without a second thought. one side thought that the photographer should ask first, get to know the subject and then be able to take a picture of him or her. the other side argued that if the photographer asked the person, the picture may looked staged, and too fake, losing its original meaning. as for my opinion, i think that in order to capture the original idea, one could take the photo, and then explain to the subject what the idea behind the photo was.. maybe get to know him or her a bit better and then have a story to put with the photograph.
Posted 52 months ago.
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I don't think your photos NEED to illustrate a problem, they can also just illustrate a way of life for a certain group, and show that in an interesting way...
Posted 52 months ago.
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One technique that really makes a photo good, is the orginiality and "in the moment" feeling of a shot. To set up a subject or prepare one seems fake and insincere to me. The shots taken should capture the moment...as it is happening. That's the thing with good phototaking...being at the right place at the right time. Capturing an important or heartfelt moment should in itself write the story behind the photo and develop the kind of emotion that viewers can really connect with.
Posted 43 months ago.
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yep
Posted 15 months ago.
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I read one titled "What are you doing?" The original poster had asked what people were working on, and the fourth poster had talked about his portrayal of Durban, South Africa, and the workers in society. I did some research, and it's a very established city. Strong economy, one of the busiest ports in Africa, and a very established city. I basically learned about this city, what it's like living there, and my view of Africa was changed.
Posted 15 months ago.
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I read a discussion about social documentary and suffering. The poster said that someone took a picture of a little boy sleeping under a mosquito net bed in a refugee camp; the photographer made the scene seem peaceful when really the environment around him was tumultuous. They asked if portrayal of human suffering in photography was ethical. People generally concluded that it is up to the photographer to make wise judgments and figure out the fine line between wanting to sincerely portray a situation of suffering or exploit it and do nothing to help.
Posted 15 months ago.
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well i read one called Do you ask questions with your photographs? it says people are just taking snapshots not actually trying to prove something in their photos, and i find myself doing this a lot, i just say to my self its just a photo. We should be trying to make people question our photos, and wonder what can they learn from each of them.
Posted 15 months ago.
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i read an article that was identified as," Do you ask questions about your pictures?" The topic asked was all about if we, the photographers, shoot our photos in order to spark questions among our viewers or if we simply just take the pictures. my response to this overall question is YES. we as the photographers do indeed take pictures in order to spark questions within our viewers.. but these often pertain to some of the things that we are missing like, What do you think that this picture needs??? or what could have made this pic better??? more than often this raises questions with the photographer himself. for how he can make his picture better. this is what i believe about questioning your photos of just photos in general.
Posted 15 months ago.
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Social documentary photography is devoted to 'social groups' with socio-economic and cultural similarities, showing living or working conditions perceived as shameful, discriminatory, unjust or harmful. (wiki)
So if someone were to take a picture that included child labor, homelessness, poverty, or hazardous working conditions, the photographer should think before they display such images. To bring about social or even political change one might have the urge to post a blatant, yet eye-opening photo, but what if it were to affend its subject? If a photographer took lots of photos of a homeless child who cannot speak up to say "I don't want to be seen by others because it is shameful" or "please let others know the severity of the impoverishment so they can help me" they should think before they post. Although I am guilty of sniping strangers as well.
Posted 15 months ago.
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I read the one called do you ask questions about your pictures? the guy was wondering if photographers take pictures to get a point across or to ask a question with their pictures. Normally people take pictures just to take the picture, but there our a few photographers our there that try to ask questions with their pictures. I take picture just to take them. I never have thought about trying to get a questioned sparked by my picture.
Posted 15 months ago.
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i am answering to Andy, Andy, have u never though of what your pictures are going to turn out like? How you never thought about what you can do to make your pictures better? i dont think that people just take pictures because they feel like it, i think that they think that they are think," Oh! that looks cool, that might spark some questions or might impress a few people." i don't know if you feel anywhere along these lines. however i think that this could spark some questions.
Posted 15 months ago.
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I found one that was titled "Who Are Your Heroes?" Although it was a rather short article, it had a lot of meaning behind it in my opinion. I began to think about the questions they were suggesting, and how i have thought of them within my own life. The "photography heroes" that we put in place are ones that we try to be more like in most cases, or just "measure up to" in other regards. These "Jedi Master" Photographers will shape and form who the "Padawan" Photographers will be some day. Reading this caused me to think about it for myself. Who are my heroes? How have they changed the way I take pictures? What would my pictures be like if I had never encountered their work before? Everyone has a "Hero" who they in a sense "follow," so I believe this topic of Social Documentary can be prevalent to all.
Posted 15 months ago.
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I am responding to Andy and Hunter. They both brought up the question of: " Do photographers take their pictures to get a point across or to ask questions with their pictures." Personally for me, when I am taking pictures, I think about how my audience will respond, but that is not the reason for me taking the pictures. I take the pictures based on what I like. For the most part, no one else's opinion goes into the pictures i decide to take. However, when I go to take pictures, i don't do it blindly. I try and take pictures that are in some way mysterious, obtuse, or interesting in some other aspect. I DO try to make my pictures have meaning, but I DON'T do it to get a point across, or for anyone elses opinion.
Posted 15 months ago.
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Nate? Can I be your padawan?
Posted 15 months ago.
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I am responding to Andy and Hunter. First and foremost: Use correct grammar. Aside from that, I do believe that photographers intend to take a picture to spark questions. They may take it just to take it, but you can't honestly say that no one takes them to just for the the sake of taking them all the time. I personally take mine for fun, there is times where I do try and spark a question though. I think that I thought that I think that that makes sense.
Originally posted 15 months ago.
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Andrew.Simanek edited this topic 15 months ago.
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i am responding to Nate's post, i believe that the more talented photographers do shape and inspire us. So yea your pretty spot on.
Posted 15 months ago.
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I think that the whole idea of taking pictures to ask questions is really dependent on your audience. For example, if someone is taking photos for an art-savvy audience, then they should try to bring out deeper meaning and ask questions. However, if you know that your pictures will be on display for a bunch of students who will only glance at your pictures for a split second, you should not have to worry about being thought-provoking.
Posted 15 months ago.
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I am responding to Andrew. First and foremost: Use correct grammar and sentence structure. I agree that photography is enjoyable and should be fun. Although I also believe that it is a profession that should be monitered in what it puts out. Therefore questions may need to be asked before you post photographs. When that critical aspect of monitering your output is applied, THEN you may produce art and enjoy photography to its fullest.
Posted 15 months ago.
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I read the article called "do you ask questions about your pictures?" the guy is asking people that when you take a picture do you think about sparking questions in your viewers mind, or do you do it just to take the picture. I think alot of people including me, just take the picture just to have to. I have never thought of it in that way to get a point across, and spark questions for the viewer when taking the picture.
Posted 15 months ago.
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I am responding to nate, and I think that you are very right. Everyone has their hero in there life that inspiries them. What would our art look like without our heroes is a good question. These heroes shape and form out art and allow us to strive to be like that.
Posted 15 months ago.
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Sentence structure? How so? I agree Allison. What do you mean by monitoring what you put out? I.E. like a person who looks over your photos?
Originally posted 15 months ago.
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Andrew.Simanek edited this topic 15 months ago.
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Response to Allison: Monitoring*
Posted 15 months ago.
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I read an article called "Why do we photograph poverty but not wealth?" The lady pointed out that within the social documentary group, the pictures are great but they're all the same - subjects of poverty and crime. Why, she questions, don't we take pictures of the other side of life? I think she has a good point and it'd be cool to do a project on corporate, wealthy lifestyles.
Posted 15 months ago.
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Allison, do you mean self-monitering or having someone else moniter your photos?
Posted 15 months ago.
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I am responding to Allie, Hunter, and Andy. When I take photos, I take them for myself, not to get any specific response out of people. I think other people's response is just a cool side-effect.
Posted 15 months ago.
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Hi kids. I am choosing option four. I think that any picture has the potential to tell a story. Even if, in your opinion, it is the worst picture in the world, there was a reason the "photographer" shot that subject or situation. I see no reason that any person should criticize any other person's art. Don't argue with me, because critiquing is different. Art can be anything any person uses to express themselves.
Posted 15 months ago.
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i did mean monitered
yes self monitered
and what i mean by that is reviewing your images before publically displaying them
Posted 15 months ago.
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Monitor.
Posted 15 months ago.
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To everyone: monitOr
dictionary.reference.com/browse/monitor
Originally posted 15 months ago.
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St. Escercent edited this topic 15 months ago.
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oh ok monitored
Posted 15 months ago.
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fritzphoto.bizland.com/skeletoninthecloset/?page_id=5
My therapist showed this to me. It's one of the most powerful galleries I've ever seen. I wish I could do something like this.
Originally posted 15 months ago.
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Phoebe Fettig edited this topic 15 months ago.
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OK well to respond to hunters questions i normally try to think what my pictures turn out like but they never turn out the way i want them to. yes i have thought how i can make my photos better i still do not get the result i want hough. i will probably need to practice more on my photo taking skills.
Posted 15 months ago.
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I read, "Do you ask questions with your photographs?" This discussion is about when you take pictures do you just take them or do you have a specific reason behind them? We should also think about if we are sparking questions when people look at our images. It makes me think that maybe I should put more thought into my photos instead of just taking them.
Posted 15 months ago.
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I am responding to Nate's post about heroes. I agree that we will always have someone or something that will inspire us and our work will come out of that. If you have a deep interest in something your pictures will come out more powerful and have a deeper meaning.
Posted 15 months ago.
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