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“You and I know that this undoubted faith in the integrity of the photograph is often rudely shaken; for while photographs may not lie, liars may photograph. It becomes necessary, then, in our revelation of the truth, to see to it that the camera we depend on contracts no bad habits.” – Lewis Wickes Hine, 1909

[Course Description]
This course is an introduction to the history, theory, ethics and diverse practices of documentary photography. Investigating the concepts of objectivity, truth and evidence, students will examine why our culture invented these terms and their relationship with photography. Through questioning what a document is and how we evaluate its credibility the course will ask students to examine their belief/disbelief in the power of the photographic image and its ability to convey a narrative.

Course content will be delivered through demonstrations, field trips, slide lectures, workshops, discussion, readings, critiques and individual consultations. Conceptual and practical investigations will be emphasized through specific readings and assignments designed to help you to become more familiar with your documentary practices. Seeing the past, present and future more competently, will allow your work to transcend the fog of the derivative. The course requires reading and writing about photography on a weekly basis. In addition to creating a self-directed semester long documentary photography project, students will work on several assignments to develop their skills as documentary photographers. We will analyze and critique the many artistic strategies, themes, production modes and visual vocabulary that embody past, contemporary as well as your own documentary practice.

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