Master documentary photography and storytelling techniques to capture compelling images using smartphones and professional equipment
Specialization
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6 modules
Embark on a journey into the world of documentary photography, where authentic stories come to life through powerful imagery. This immersive program guides photographers from the foundational aspects of documentary projects to their professional and commercial applications. Gain insights into identifying compelling themes, crafting visual narratives with a critical eye, and mastering the art of storytelling through images. From understanding the potential of smartphone photography to capturing the essence of human subjects and their environments, this program offers a comprehensive approach to documentary photography.
Learn from industry experts Cris Burmester, Marcos Zegers, Hugo Santarem Rodrigues, Liz Seabrook, and the team at Contra Fotografía & Video. Each brings unique perspectives and techniques, from creating impactful photo essays with smartphones to delivering polished professional projects. Discover how to connect with your subjects, develop emotional narratives, and organize large volumes of material with a professional workflow. Whether working with smartphones or professional equipment, this specialization allows you to create stories that resonate, inspire, and open new commercial opportunities.
What will you learn in this specialization?
A total of 6 modules and 68 lessons
A total of 9h 32m of vídeo lessons
Taught by 5 selected expert teachers
Module 1
Introduction
Every documentary image begins with a question about the world and the people who inhabit it. With Marcos Zegers, Cris Burmester, Hugo Santarem Rodrigues, Liz Seabrook, Ignacio Santa María and Alvaro Reyes Larraín of [i]Contra Fotografía & Video[/i], you’ll move through a complete learning journey that takes you from the foundations of documentary thinking to its professional and commercial application.
You’ll learn how to identify meaningful stories, plan and develop visual narratives, and photograph real situations with sensitivity and intention, using anything from a smartphone to professional cameras. Step by step, you’ll deepen your connection with your subjects through humanist and environmental portraiture, refine your editing workflow, and organize large volumes of images with professional criteria.
The process culminates in a cohesive documentary project, ready to live both as a personal statement and as a viable commercial body of work.
1
Introduction
In this lesson, you will explore the essence of documentary photography. You will learn how observation and truth shape visual stories, how iconic images marked history, and how you will navigate ethics and storytelling to build meaningful narratives that connect you to the real world.
1m
2
Influences | Cris Burmester
You will be introduced to some photographers and artists who have inspired me throughout my career and who still inspire me today.
4m
2
Influences | Marcos Zegers
In this lesson, I will share with you different references from the world of photography that have inspired me in my career.
7m
2
Influences | Hugo Santarem Rodrigues
In this class, I'll talk about some artists who influenced the creation of my own style. To be inspired is to have a base to create something of your own.
4m
2
Influences | Liz Seabrook
Now, I'll share with you some of my sources of inspiration. You'll see it's not just other photographers who have influenced my work over the years.
9m
2
Influences | Ignacio Santa María & Alvaro Reyes Larraín
In this lesson we will show you part of the teachers who have influenced our work, encouraging us to improve more and more. We hope they serve as a source of inspiration.
7m
Module 2
Documentary Photography for Mobile
Discover documentary photography to capture images that raise awareness and give a voice to different social causes
3
Potential of Communication through Photography
In this class, I will present examples of projects in which I was able to use photographic narrative to increase the visibility of some social and environmental issues. I will also propose that you go out into the field and carry out your own project as the final work of this course.
9m
4
Equipment and Visual Language
In this lesson, we will explore the potential of the cell phone as a camera. We will see some photography concepts being applied with the use of this light and portable device.
8m
5
Photography: Synthesis, Series and Essays
Now I will talk about the specific aspects of communication through photography. We will also look at the differences between a single image and a series of them in approaching a theme.
8m
6
Theme, Plot and Story
Here you will start thinking about your project. First, you will evaluate and choose a topic of interest. Then, you will define your argument or the reason that led you to choose the topic. Finally, you will outline the structure of your story so that it has clarity and objectivity.
6m
7
Research, Sources and References
In this class, I will propose that you research the topic of your project. I will present some methods and references from research sources so that the argument and topics of your narrative are clear and well-founded.
8m
8
The Environment Record
In this class, we will actually start our photographic project, recording the environment and general context of the theme we chose in the previous unit.
9m
9
Photographing People
Now let's develop our ability to photograph people. Not only the technique of framing and direction, but also dialogue and empathy are important elements for this work.
7m
10
Nuances and the Contradictory
In this class, I will talk about the importance of photographic recording of details, nuances and contradictory for the structure of your story.
3m
11
Material Organization
Now we are going to use image editing software to organize and catalog the photographic material so that you can use it efficiently and creatively.
6m
12
Digital and Narrative Editing
In this class, we will experiment with some digital editing processes to build a photographic narrative. We will also improve the visuality of the photos: contrast, brightness, color and black and white.
8m
13
Personal Vision and Visual Narratives
Here we are going to experiment with analog and digital editing processes to definitely build a photographic narrative efficiently.
12m
14
Social Networks
In this class, we will use some social media platforms to promote visibility and give relevance to the project we develop in this course.
9m
15
Publications
Now we will see some alternatives to structure our project in a more permanent dissemination and communication format, such as books, websites and exhibitions.
12m
16
Partnerships
Here we will address some complementary actions to strengthen your project's communication strategy, such as establishing partnerships to make it viable.
4m
Module 3
Documentary Photography Projects
Create a photography series with a critical eye and personal style
4
Why is something interesting?
Through some of the documentary series that I have made, I am going to talk to you in this lesson about the importance of choosing a topic that is interesting and interesting, and that allows us to find case studies to photograph.
14m
5
What do we photograph?
A subject has many cases; and in this lesson, I will explain how to define a case, the first fundamental step in establishing the way to approach the story.
5m
6
Planning
In this lesson, I will show you the considerations that I think are relevant for the field trip, I will share with you my previous planning method, and I will show you the equipment I will use to photograph.
8m
7
Photographing the case
In this lesson we will go to the field, and I will show you my working method to obtain a good documentary portrait.
14m
8
Selecting the images
In this lesson, I will show you my methodology and criteria to select the photographs obtained.
16m
9
Assembling the photo series
In this lesson, I will show you my method of putting together the documentary series and shaping the story.
16m
10
Finding the retouching of the series
In this lesson, I will show you my image retouching process to generate a visual unity among all the images in the series.
14m
11
Finding the retouching of the series (part 2)
In this lesson, I will continue to show you my image retouching process, and thus generate a visual unity among all the images in the series.
10m
12
Revealed in LR and export for publication
In this lesson, I will teach you how to reveal in Lightroom and show you how to export your series to have it in a publishable format.
12m
Module 4
Humanist Photography: Capturing the Essence of a Subject
Explore how to empower stories and cultures with your camera and shift your perspective of others as well as yourself
3
Introduction to portraiture and photographic language
In this class, I'll explain portrait concepts and techniques and how you can use them to tell stories.
5m
4
The documentary photography
In this lesson, I'll talk about documentary photography and how to start crafting your own project.
4m
5
Cameras and lenses
Understanding your gear is an important part of photography, but don't despair, you can do a lot with a little.
4m
6
Types of lights
Light is the basis of photography. In this class, you will begin to understand it in a broader way.
3m
7
Project pre-production
In this class, you will learn about my project preparation process based on my personal motivations (inspiration) and my specific topic.
3m
8
Photo shoot planning
In this lesson, I'll show you how to prepare for the photo shoot.
3m
9
Getting to know the person photographed
Knowing who you are going to photograph is important to get the best out of the person. In this class, I'll show you some ways to do this process.
8m
10
The test
The time for rehearsal has arrived. Now, everything that was planned will be put into practice. Also, I will show you how you can adapt to situations.
7m
11
How to organize files
After performing the test it is always good to make a backup. In this class, I'll show you how I organize my files thinking about the future.
7m
12
Editing and choosing the image
Selecting the best photos can be a very difficult letting go process. In this class, I'm going to talk about what motivates me to choose one image over another.
11m
13
Image treatment
This is the moment where we give the final look to the photo. In this class, I will give tips on how you can find your language.
8m
14
Photography awards and where to present your work
In this class, I'm going to talk about the formats for presenting the work and some photography awards that I recommend keeping in mind.
4m
Module 5
Environmental Portraiture: Capture People in Their Own Space
Learn an intuitive method to plan, shoot, and edit natural and relaxed portrait images which capture the story of your subject and their passions.
3
Telling Stories with Images
In this first lesson, you'll have a look at some stories that I've shot and I'll talk you through how I captured them. Alongside these, I'll share how a typical brief might look and how it influences my decision-making on the day.
10m
4
The Equipment
In this lesson, you'll see what I keep in my camera bag. I'll walk you through my basic kit to show you that you don't need a lot to start working and taking pictures.
5m
5
Finding a Style
In this lesson, I'll delve into my style, why I like it, and how I achieve the aesthetic through camera settings and editing. I'll also talk about lighting styles and how they can sit in contrast with or in line with naturally lit work.
10m
6
Planning the Photo Session
Before the photoshoot day, I'm going to run you through how to plan the day so that both you and your subject are ready for the photo session.
11m
7
Working with a Subject
In this lesson, I'll show you how to communicate with your subject creating a safe and relaxed space for you both to work in.
6m
8
Action Portrait
Next, I'll shoot the first image for the project starting with the subject in action, doing what they love. I'll show you how to read a room, the light, and the subject to get the best image.
7m
9
The Portrait
Now that the subject has warmed up to the camera, I'm going to shoot the portrait. I'll share with you some tips to choose the spot and position, and I'll show you a few strategies to make the subject look natural and feel comfortable.
8m
10
Sense of Place
It's the last image of the photoshoot already! In this lesson, I'll walk you through intuitively capturing a sense of place. This is the third image in the series and will round off the story about the subject.
5m
11
The Style: Choosing and Editing
In this first lesson of the unit, I'll show you how I like to colour edit my images in Capture One. I'll also talk about finding an editing style. Let's get down to business!
13m
12
Choosing the Set of Images 1
Next, I'll walk you through the agonising task of whittling down a photoshoot's worth of images to just three. Buckle up!
13m
13
Choosing the Set of Images 2
I'll continue looking at my images and narrowing them down. I'll talk more about my selection process and why I chose those three images in the end.
12m
14
Basic Skin and Environmental Retouch 1
Now that I have my selection, I'm going to export the images into Photoshop to neaten them up to finish them off.
10m
15
Basic Skin and Environmental Retouch 2
In Photoshop, I'll work on the portrait in terms of skin retouching and I'll fix a few details to finish my three images!
12m
16
Additional Tips
In this lesson, I'm going to share with you some things I have learned in my ten years working as a photographer.
5m
Module 6
Documentary Photography for Commercial Use
Manage your pictures in Bridge and retouch them professionally in Photoshop
4
Introduction and pillars
Within the different areas of commercial photography, CONTRA has specialized in advertising photography, which we combine with documentary aspects, thus achieving images that tell stories (photographic storytelling), and that aesthetically meet the standards of advertising agencies or designers They work with our material.
9m
5
Planning and budget
When preparing a photographic project, you will need to consider the cost of the project and its earnings, if applicable.
Once a client has been contacted, we must plan, together, what is the specific need of the photo session. This will allow us to define the amount of photographic conferences, the topics to be worked on, the different “pillars” that we will develop, the best time of the year to make the material, among others.
With this information you can present different values to the client, or also dimension the value of your own projects.
When working on request, we usually present more than one option in the same budget - depending on the type of project - so that the client knows the differences between each one when deciding what type of project he is interested in hiring.
3m
6
Equipment and materials
Photographic projects on the ground can be faced in different ways and with different teams. Next we will detail the essentials to begin, in addition to showing you the professional kit that we use when going out to photograph.
11m
7
Expectations vs. reality (Tips)
In this lesson we will show you how a project is covered according to its characteristics and requirements. For this, anticipation and projection is key. In addition, we will see the importance of having a Plan B in case your previous forecast changes, or how to solve the lack of material in extreme situations. For now we anticipate that it is very important for this, resilience and teamwork.
Always remember the importance of controlling the uncontrollable.
7m
8
File import and backup (raw material)
In this lesson you can learn tools such as downloading material from the device (camera and drone in this case), creating folders in Bridge and their storage, as well as how to manage the different external hard drives that contain the material.
5m
9
Adobe Bridge and use filters
On this occasion you will learn important aspects to have an effective and continuous workflow. We will show you the advantages of using Adobe Bridge and, we will see how to classify and filter files in this software.
5m
10
Filters and classification of photographs and themes in Adobe Bridge.
In this lesson we will show you how to effectively organize and organize the material made, in order to work with it.
We will select and filter the images, through certain editing techniques and criteria, that we would like to show you.
We identify the subject of the project and how to apply it the five pillars .
16m
11
Low quality photo conversion
It is important to know how to handle large image streams and make low resolution versions correctly, to preview the material for a client. We will show you how to export the photographs in low quality and use a digital contact sheet.
10m
12
Using keywords and metadata in Adobe Bridge
Here we will create keywords that will help you have an order in your material, using search tags.
We will modify the one of metadata of the images in RAW, so that you can leave your stamp inscribed in the information of the images that you will send to the client or that you will upload to the web.
5m
13
Basic development settings (camera RAW)
I will show you some basic techniques and settings of digital development in RAW camera, so you can give more strength to your image bank.
7m
14
Spot lighting corrections
I will show you how to correct specific lighting details that will allow you to enhance the photographs. The intention is to improve the visuality of the images, always taking care of the identity of each person or place you portrayed.
10m
15
Retouching and calibration in Adobe Photoshop
Based on the editorial line that has been granted to the photo shoot, we will see tools, such as the patch , for imperfections, layer calibration, export options and administration of low and high folders. In addition, we will show you how to finish the creation of your photographic body.
5m
16
Final material and its potential
Our work ends with the delivery or storage of the material on the hard disk, however, in this lesson we will show you the potential of our work, both in physical and digital material.
3m
- 100% positive reviews (2)
- 171 students
- 68 lessons (9h 32m)
- 71 additional resources (23 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Audio: English, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese
- English · German · Spanish · Portuguese · Italian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
Create a comprehensive documentary photography project demonstrating mastery in visual storytelling, connecting with protagonists, and adapting work for commercial or editorial purposes through a series of images, smartphone mini-series, humanist portrait, environmental triptych, and organized image bank.
Who is this specialization for?
This course targets amateur photographers eager to develop documentary projects, visual communicators deepening narrative skills, creatives using photography for social change, commercial photographers incorporating documentary elements, and anyone passionate about telling genuine stories through impactful images.
Requirements and materials
No extensive prior knowledge is needed. A smartphone or camera, basic understanding of photography, and access to Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom are essential. Enthusiasm for storytelling through images and an eagerness to explore human connections will enhance your journey.
Select to get to know your teachers in this specialization course
Marcos Zegers
Photographer
7,404
209
Contra Fotografía & Video
Photographers, filmmakers and art directors
715
25
Cris Burmester
Photographer, Documentary Maker, and Author
794
19
Hugo Santarem Rodrigues
Photographer
830
17
Liz Seabrook
Portrait and Lifestyle Photographer
1,674
39
Reviews
171
Students
2
Reviews
What to expect from this specialization course
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Learn at your own pace
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Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for intermediate photographers who want to deepen their knowledge of portraiture, natural light techniques, and visual storytelling.
You only need a camera—DSLR or mirrorless—and basic accessories like a reflector or tripod. The course emphasizes minimal gear and using available light for portraits.
You'll learn how to harness daylight and ambient lighting to create authentic, visually compelling portraits, including techniques for balancing and diffusing light using simple tools.
Yes, the course covers environmental portrait techniques, teaching you how to incorporate surroundings and context to tell a richer story through your images.
You will learn how to plan photo sessions, create shot lists, scout locations using digital tools, and adapt to varying environments for effective storytelling.
Yes, the course includes guidance on retouching, color correction, exposure adjustments, and using tools like Photoshop and Wacom tablets for professional-quality edits.
Absolutely. The course is suitable for those with basic gear and provides advice on renting equipment and making the most of what you have for portrait shoots.
Curso muito bom, porém o certificado não emite as horas corretas, nem a data de conclusão.
Completo. Muy bueno.