A comparison of approaches to documentary photography of 1930s America and contemporary South Africa.
Date
1992
Authors
Gaule, Sally
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Abstract
The research for this degree comprises a theoretical dissertation and a practical
component of photographs. The theoretical research investigates the practice of
documentary photography in America and South Africa. The photographs of
Walker Evans, Robert Frank, David Goldblatt and Bob Gosanl are examined
against the background of two organisations, the Farm Security Administration
and Drum. These organisations influenced the documentary genre in their
respective countries because of their socio-polltical concerns: their choice and
presentation of subject matter for publication influenced both the photographar and
the viewer.
Documentary photographs appear, because of their seemingly candid and
unmediated nature, to present historically factual images. Examples from the
work of the four photographers reveal their distinction from, continuity with
the confines of the documentary genre. Their respective approaches reveal the
role of perception as it manifests itself in their work. Subjugation, attltudes
towards subject matter, and the pictorial construction of images are analysed in
relation to each photographer's work.
The relationship of image and text in documentary photography is seen as an
element of intervention by the photographer.
The selection of these photographers was motivated for their partinance to the
subject matter and to the pictorial considerations of the candidate. These issues
are therefore examined in relation to the candidate's approach to photography.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts, University of the Witwatersrand,
Johannesburg, in partlal fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of
Arts in Fine Arts.
Keywords
Documentary photography -- United States., Documentary photography -- South Africa.