Documentary Photography
ART-40507
Documentary Photography
9 Weeks | No Prerequisite
Schedule includes one Saturday field-trip. If you are not local, your instructor will provide a self-directed alternative.
Discover the power of documentary photography as you learn how to observe, interpret, and present real-life stories through compelling images. In this course, you’ll immerse yourself in the work of influential photographers, analyze cultural and historical contexts, and refine your own approach to capturing truth and authenticity.
Course Details
Through readings, lectures, online discussions, and photo assignments, you’ll develop both the critical eye and technical skill needed to engage viewers and provoke thought. Guided by expert instruction, you’ll explore methods that balance objectivity with personal perspective, pushing the boundaries of traditional documentary work. From researching your subject matter to selecting meaningful subject matter, each assignment will help strengthen your visual storytelling abilities. By the end of this course, you’ll be able to create a powerful documentary photo series and feel confident sharing your work in a final project or exhibition.
Embrace the challenge of crafting images that inform, inspire, and spark conversation. Whether you’re documenting local communities, chronicling social issues, or investigating cultural shifts, this course provides the tools and insights you need to produce impactful documentary photographs that leave a lasting impression.
What You'll Learn
- Define documentary photography and distinguish it from other photographic genres.
- Examine the evolution of documentary photography through historical and contemporary examples.
- Identify influential documentary photographers and their contributions to the medium.
- Analyze the social, cultural, and ethical aspects of documentary images.
- Develop a documentary photo series that communicates a clear narrative or theme.
- Apply critical thinking to classify, critique, and improve photographic work.
- Constructively participate in online discussions and peer critiques.
- Implement research strategies to strengthen the relevance and impact of your projects.
- Present a cohesive final project that reflects personal vision and understanding of documentary principles.
- Recognize personal biases and work toward more objective visual storytelling.
Course Information
Equipment/Software: Fully adjustable DSLR camera or prosumer camera suggested but all cameras, including Smartphone cameras are welcome..
Flexible Enrollment: This course is an elective for the Photography: Images and Techniques Professional Certificate but is open to all students, even if you're not enrolled in the Certificate Program.
Academic Calendar: The Academic Calendar shows the open enrollment dates and term start dates for each quarter. Courses do not necessarily start on the first day of the term.
Course sessions
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
Documentary Photography Reconsidered 1st
by Michelle Bogre
ISBN / ASIN: 9781472586698
You may purchase textbooks via the UC San Diego Bookstore.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 4/4/2025
- Early Enrollment Discount: $400 ($425 if enrolled after 3/3/2025)
- Early enrollment advised
- No UCSD parking permit required
- No visitors permitted
Note:
Schedule:
Instructor:
Bernadette Johnston
Bernadette Johnston teaches Family Pictures, Documentary Photography, and Introduction to Photo Journalism for the Photography: Images and Techniques certificate program. Bernadette is a San Diego based photographer who is interested in the intersection of visual aesthetics and story telling. After studying Photography and Sociology at Ithaca College in New York, Bernadette began her career in San Diego over 15 years ago. Interested in the refugee experience, Bernadette became Program Manager at the AjA Project, a local non-profit that uses photography to empower recently resettled refugee and immigrant youth. At AjA, she developed photography curriculum that enabled San Diego youth to think critically about their stories, hone photography and writing skills and share their images and stories in public exhibits in an effort to foster understanding and create positive change in their new communities. With AjA, she also had the opportunity to travel to Bogota, Colombia to work with internally displaced youth there.
In 2006, Bernadette founded Narrative Images with her husband and fellow photographer, Richard Unis. Narrative Images started as a wedding photography company, approaching weddings from a journalistic, documentary perspective and has since grown into 4 distinct brands covering weddings, corporate events, portraiture and social documentary. Bernadette and Rick have photographed events and projects all over the US and internationally and enjoy the challenges that come with the variety of the work they do. Their corporate clients include IBM, Starbucks, HP, the Washington Post, Toyota, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Bernadette especially loves when her Sociology background intersects with photography in her work with non-profit organizations like Father Joe’s Villages and in her Healthcare in America Project (done in partnership with San Diego Organizing Project) where she photographed people across the country as they told their healthcare stories. The photos were eventually displayed in the Capitol Building during the debate and eventual passing of the Affordable Care Act.
Bernadette’s BA in Sociology and Photography includes black and white and color darkroom experience, photojournalism, documentary, fine art and studio photography.