β
Documentary photography is one of the prominent and influential branches in the art of photography that records social, cultural, and even historical realities. This type of photography allows the photographer to depict real and sometimes untold stories of everyday life and people. In this type of photography, the main goal is to convey the sense of realness and authenticity of the scenes. In this article, we will review important tips and principles for documentary photography with a camera and explain how to record facts in an attractive and effective way.
Choosing the right equipment
Choosing the right equipment
Choosing the right equipment for documentary photography is very important, because you often need to act quickly and accurately. Using DSLR cameras and mirrorless cameras are the best options for this type of photography.
Camera feature advantages
High flexibility DSLR, excellent image quality, various lenses
Mirrorless light and compact, more speed, silence
Recommended lenses:
50mm prime lens: for portraits and close-ups.
24mm wide lens: for shooting wide landscapes and scenes.
The importance of light in documentary photography
Natural light is one of the main factors in documentary photography. You can't always control the lighting conditions, but learning to use ambient light, especially in public or outdoor settings, can help you create better images.
Important points in using light:
Natural light: during the golden hours (early morning and evening) is the best time to take documentary photos. This light is soft and pleasant.
Shadow Light: If the direct sunlight is strong, try shooting in the shadows to avoid harsh shadows on your subjects.
Composition techniques in documentary photography
Composition is one of the key principles in documentary photography, with the help of which you can tell a telling and interesting story. The rule of thirds is one of the best and most common compositional rules used by documentary photographers.
Rule of thirds:
Divide the image frame into three horizontal parts and three vertical parts.
Place the important subjects of the photo at the intersection points of these lines.
Also, pay attention to the depth of the scene and try to use the foreground and background properly to make your image more dynamic.
Taking meaningful photos
One of the important principles in documentary photography is the meaningfulness of the images. Each photo should tell a story or capture a special moment. In order for your images to be real and emotional, it is better to interact with your subjects and capture them in their natural state. Don't be afraid to record unexpected and normal moments; Because these moments can better reflect the reality of everyday life.
Recording feelings and emotions:
Documentary photography should be able to show feelings and emotions well. Pay attention to small details in faces, gestures and looks. These details can add depth to your images.
Choose the right angle
The right angle of view can make a big difference in the impact of your documentary photo. Try different angles to find the best way to tell your story.
Low Angle: To show the power or glory of a subject.
High Angle: To show the smallness or loneliness of the subject.
Normal angle (Eye Level): to create a closer and more realistic connection with the viewer.
Camera settings for documentary photography
Camera settings for documentary photography
Camera settings are very important for documentary photography, as you may be shooting in different light conditions and at high speed. In the following, we mention some key camera settings for documentary photography.
shutter speed
For documentary photography, where there is a lot of movement in the scene, the shutter speed is very important. If you are shooting moving scenes, the shutter speed should be faster than 1/250 second to avoid blurring.
resource : nivamag.ir
β
β