Documentary Photographer Overview
Required Education and Training To Become a Documentary Photographer
Best Schools to become a Documentary Photographer in U.S. 2024
New York University
In-State Tuition:$55,384
Out-of-State Tuition:$55,384
Admission Rate:12%
Graduation Rate:87%
Total Enrollment:59,144
Emerson College
In-State Tuition:$51,552
Out-of-State Tuition:$51,552
Admission Rate:43%
Graduation Rate:77%
Total Enrollment:5,891
New York Film Academy
In-State Tuition:$33,017
Out-of-State Tuition:$33,017
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:68%
Total Enrollment:1,285
Full Sail University
In-State Tuition:$26,307
Out-of-State Tuition:$26,307
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:41%
Total Enrollment:26,737
Savannah College of Art and Design
In-State Tuition:$39,105
Out-of-State Tuition:$39,105
Admission Rate:82%
Graduation Rate:73%
Total Enrollment:16,414
Chapman University
In-State Tuition:$60,288
Out-of-State Tuition:$60,288
Admission Rate:73%
Graduation Rate:84%
Total Enrollment:10,014
Documentary Photographer Job Description:
- Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects.
- May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance.
- May use editing software to produce finished images and prints.
- Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists.
Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Documentary Photographer
Job Duties for Documentary Photographers
Adjust apertures, shutter speeds, and camera focus according to a combination of factors, such as lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed.
Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.
Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve desired effects.
Technologies and Skills Used by Documentary Photographers
Data base user interface and query software
- Cradoc fotoBiz
- Microsoft Access
Graphics or photo imaging software
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Adobe Illustrator
Video creation and editing software
- Adobe After Effects
- YouTube
Basic Skills
- Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
- Talking to others
Problem Solving
- Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Social
- Looking for ways to help people
- Understanding people's reactions