Ethics of Documentary Images
Ethics of Documentary Images
In a recent interview with Creative Interview, photographer Oliver Frank Chanarin delved into the ethics of documentary images, discussing the balance between objectivity and consent in image-making.
He shared his thoughts on the evolving dynamics of photography, stating, “There’s a flow of power between the camera and the person that is in one direction. I think that kind of ‘sneaking around’ photography is dead. There’s no space for that any more and for good reason.”
However, he also acknowledged the loss of spontaneity in the process, saying, “There’s something lost as well in terms of recording unseen moments and being a silent witness to the world, which is one of the beautiful things about making photography, and I think one of the reasons I became a photographer.”
Chanarin's latest project, "A Perfect Sentence," is his first solo venture since the dissolution of his 20-year creative partnership with Adam Broomberg. The project comprises portraits from diverse backgrounds, such as young people, pensioners, gender activists, carnival performers, and volunteers participating in disaster scenarios for emergency services.
Reflecting on the project, Chanarin said, “It’s about a journey around Britain and a series of encounters with strangers, but it’s also about photography, and about what it means to make photography in the age of the internet.”