Documentary Photography

“I believe the camera is a powerful instrument, which simultaneously holds the humility of an anvil as well as the power of a striking hammer. The documentation of social humanistic issues have been the main drivers for my work, both in learning and in sharing, since 2006. In my opinion, education leads to empathy, which is the first step in any change for social good or justice,” says documentary photographer Richard Sharum.

This fall, Richard leads an online workshop focused on making a difference with your photography through developing and refining a personal documentary project. This is an entry-level workshop for photographers with no documentary background, as well as a workshop for those who have started a project and need a community for feedback, encouragement, and inspiration.

The aim of Richard’s workshop is to help participants develop their personal projects through lectures, discussions, one-on-one tutorials, and group image reviews. Richard presents several long-form projects developed over his 20-year career, reviewing the challenges and execution, as well as discussing editorial assignments or book publishing possibilities. Over the course of the month, Richard challenges, guides, and pushes participants to make new responses to their ideas and seek out visual stories that are not only important to them but also have a place in the larger context of social discourse. For their part, workshop participants strive to experiment with their personal style and consider new ways of approaching image making and storytelling. Personal growth is the key.

Here are the key questions and topics Richard and the participants cover during the workshop:

Why Documentary Work? Personal vs Social Responsibility

• The past, present, and future of documentary photography.
• The benefits and challenges of the medium.
•  Where do you fit in?

Morality and Ethics as a Photographer

• What ethical responsibilities do photojournalists have?
• Explore the concept of “the right to privacy” versus “the public’s right to know.”
• Discuss the impact of image manipulation and digital editing on journalistic integrity.
• How can photographers navigate cultural sensitivities and avoid exploitation?
• Reflect on personal moral dilemmas faced in the field and share ethical decision-making frameworks.

Approaching People

• How do you overcome the fear of approaching strangers for photographs?
• Can you share an experience where building a relationship with a subject enhanced your storytelling?
• How do cultural differences influence interactions between photographers and subjects?

Composition

• What elements contribute to a powerful and engaging photograph?
• How does framing and perspective affect storytelling?
• Explore different compositional techniques (rule of thirds, leading lines, etc.).
• Discuss the balance between aesthetics and authenticity in photojournalism.
• How can photographers use composition to evoke emotions and convey messages?

Sequencing Images

• Why is image sequencing important in storytelling?
• How does the order of images influence the narrative?
• Explore different approaches to sequencing (chronological, thematic, etc

Throughout the workshop, students learn to critique the work of others, and their own images—at both theoretical and practical levels. A goal is to identify each participant’s visual language and define their photographic approach. Richard encourages participants to realize the potential of both personal and assigned projects in the future. By workshop’s end, a final goal is to print or publish each participant’s documentary project.