Documentary Photography: A Creative Guidebook

by Cindy O'Dell

Overview

Documentary Photography: A Creative Guidebook guides photographers through creating well-informed and creative documentary projects. Author Cindy O’Dell considers the historical development of the practice of documentary photography, addressing definition of documentary photography and its problematic and tenuous relationship with "truth."

Documentary Photography demonstrates how photographers over time have created and employed a variety of photographic methods, engaged with their subjects, chosen their locations, and focused their topic. Readers will learn to edit and focus their imagery, build a series and evaluate their projects. Taking care to consider the ethical dilemmas within the field, this book discusses what it means to develop a career in documentary photography.

With an appendix of additional resources and student and instructor exercises, this is the first guide for the student, instructor, professional and amateur documentary photographer.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138280236
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/30/2026
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Cindy O’Dell is a professor in art photography at Depauw University. She has lectured on her work at over 30 locations in the US and Ireland, and in 2003 was awarded Best Experimental Documentary at the New York International Film and Video Festival for her film, Residue of Memory. An experimental documentary photography and video artist for over 25 years, works to counter traditional modes of representation and transcend stereotypes.

Table of Contents

1. Documentary Photography in context
2. Topics and Idea Development
3. Subjects and Point of Entry
4. Locations and Comfort Zones
5. Methods
6. Production and Project Development
7. Ethics
8. Building a Style and a Career
9. Pedagogical Support

Appendix