Both contemporary aspects of photography; documentary and tableaux, are paramount for encapsulating a specific scene which conveys a particular time frame in history. Although, the two photographic techniques maintain a common purpose, the method behind using one is a completely different prospect.

Documentary photography is a recording technique utilized in order to understand and reflect upon either previous or current times, whether this be in either the social or political spheres, or perhaps the combination of the two. Documentary photography attempts to reveal the true, (or as close to true), events that have occurred that could serve as “both significant and relevant to history and historical events as well as everyday life”. The value of documentation is unquestionable as it allows us to understand a fragment of history, whether it be good or bad, and much like the role of a historian, it can warn us over what manoeuvres to make or not take, like an adviser. Documentation can also be clinical in the process of creativity as understanding previous ideas and concepts can influence into creating our own which needs planning and documentation of our own ideas. According to https://www.fastspot.com/publications/why-documentation-is-important/, “Documents can be exciting, inspiring, and creative forms of expression … (and) can be ‘living’ data”. The means of documentation via photography is a concept which keeps key information alive through visual representation, adding another dimension to documentary, which is a crucial factor in understanding the past.

Power house mechanic working on steam pump (1920) by Lewis Hine

Unfortunately, due to the photographic documentation work of misleading photographers like Steve McCurry, we must test whether the photographs we view are authentic and are actual representations of events and environments.

https://petapixel.com/2016/05/06/botched-steve-mccurry-print-leads-photoshop-scandal/

RESUME – READ AND WRITE P2