Transitioning from Street to Documentary Photography

This course takes you on a journey from street photography to documentary photography. I explain the key differences between these two genres, what you need to understand about each, and the core principles of strong documentary work. I then show how I began getting assignments, starting with my first commission at the legendary Gleason’s Gym, where some of boxing’s greatest fighters trained. I walk through the original plan for the assignment and how I executed it in practice.

I also discuss the importance of long-term projects and adopting a long-distance mindset when working on documentary photography. Another crucial topic covered is publishing your work and the different avenues available for sharing it. To conclude, students are given a project designed to actively involve them—allowing them to step into new, uncharted territory in a thoughtful and accessible way.

PROJECT DESCRITPION

Document your neighborhood or surroundings, make me feel what it's like to live there. Be specific! A broad approach isn't usually the best, it's the details that matter and through a specific person, place or time we can achieve showing a bigger pictures much easier. Instead of working on "documenting your neighborhood" work on documenting a specific place in that neighborhood, like playgrounds or your local grocery store. Document specific people, the guy who sells fruits and vegetables on the corner or your neighbor who has lived there ever since you remember.