Theory Research- The Photograph, Graham Clarke

Chapter 8- Documentary Photography

The Photograph book has helped me to understand the documentary photography approach and why it is important to express reality within my imagery. The documentary chapter outlines the approach and how different practitioners document and capture scenes in an objective way, to show realist activites within a specific community. I have identified some specific quotes that I believe support my project and convey how I want to show realism within my photography.

"It’s historical significance is employed further to invest its status as a truthful and objective account of what has happened”. pg,145

I added this quote into my proposal because I believe it strongly links to my theme of Englishness. I believe that so far in my project I have vividly shown the truthful historical context of old English B&B's that are slowly dieing out. I have created the 'historical significance', through capturing interiors, decor and antiques. I am trying to create an objective perspective of older B&B's to show viewers what tourism was like in a certian era and how different it is to the modern world now.

"The assertion, simplistic as it is, that 'the camera does not lie' is easily undermined by the way that at every level photographic images are fraught with ambiguity". pg, 163

This quote analyses the idea that even if the photograph is showing a realistic scene it can be easily misinterpereted as not having a definate meaning. Within my project I don't want to show any ambiguity and misunderstanding to what my project is conveying. This is because I want it to truthfully document the old English nature of the B&B, which can be easily identified by viewers. Throughout my project so far I believe that the Englishness theme can be found and won't mislead viewers to what is being shown.

"Such images are windows into a world otherwise lost and, to that extent, are significantly and appropriately documentary photographs". pg 146

I believe that this quote strongly outlines my project and explains that out of date aspects of culture are true representations of our identity. Documentary photography is an important approach in capturing distant images of the past. I think that I have shown another era of Engishness that is being eroded and replaced by contemporary design and lifestyles. I believe this should be documented to truthfully show and reveal old Englishness to younger viewers and to show to tourists what they have missed out on, and how our national identity evolves.

Overview

Overall, I believe that the documentary photography approach has helped me understand the concept of realism and it's relationship with the photographic image. The idea of truthfully showing my subject matter is important because my photographs are a form of historical documentation, showing a moment in time. The bed and breakfast is my way into examining history and showing viewers elemennts of Englishness. This book helped me understand the documentary style and the importance of truth in the genre of realism.

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