Group f11

In 2008 three photographers, starting out on their careers, decided to keep in contact through a blog page in which they could share ideas, post images and ask each other advice. This has since mutated into a web space where those photographers still meet, but so too do their students and other like-minded photographers.

If anybody would like to join all you need to do is email the blog administrator, Emil
.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Documentary Style Photography







Ok – something new after all the excellent wildlife photography! I have very little experience of documentary photography, an area I want to explore more in the new year. Anyway, here are three documentary style pictures shot over the last 18 months – what do you think? I guess Paul is the expert here, comments? I have used PS – normal stuff, levels, curves etc – but have also sharpened and boosted the contrast of the eyes in all these shots, and obviously converted one to B&W.

The B&W image is of a cane cutter in KZN, the child was photographed last week at Fort Brown (having lunch!) and the other chap is a farm labourer from Gariep.

Cheers,

Neil.
Posted by Group f11 at 11:30 AM

2 comments:

Emil von Maltitz said...

18 months! Neil van Winkel, you took the cane cutter at Jackie and my wedding :) Still like it though. I find the kid eating his lunch almost studioesque rather than documentary. The chap in front of the window is more 'documentary'. Although I will do the same as you mention and bow to Paul's knowledge on these things. What did strike me though is that you have a similar style running through the images that is reminiscent of some of the images from the farm Security project during the depression.

E

November 25, 2009 at 9:49 AM
Geert - Nick said...

Studioesque? Documentary? farm Security project? If only I had a clue what Emil was talking about...
I don't know the concepts and definitions of these styles of photography so I find it hard to comment on your images Neil. I can only say that I like them, well exposed, good exposure and clear etc. For me the strongest is the Cane Cutter. The B&W makes the chap stand out, and I like the lines of the cane in the back ground. The farm worker doesn't do it really that much for me, it somehow doesn't strike me. The child eating does however, I like the angle a lot, it makes the kid look almost vulnerable, as does the fact that it seems to be almost 'carefully' eating.

Regards, Nick

November 27, 2009 at 11:58 PM

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