why is a subject

[Gary A.]

Generally, in documentary photography, the subject is foremost and clearly identified. In other genres of photography, where the 'story' is more obscure, so to may be the subject.

but is it? if the documenting is on poor third world countries are the people in the photos really even the subject? As we just clarified the subject is being poor in a third world country. Perhaps the subject isn't even in the photo but rather the items in the photo lead one to the subject.

Again, is is totally dependent upon the story the photog is telling. In many ways a documentary photograph is no different than a written report. They are both a form of communications. If the intent to show/establish poverty, that can be perform photographically in a number of ways. Typically poverty is a measurement of materials goods ... that can be done architecturally, cityscapes, images of markets, images of infrastructure or even lack of infrastructure, markets, et cetera. In East Africa the landscape was void of waste. No paper, no plastic, no glass, no cans ... nada. That is because all those items that we considered waste, has a secondary utilitarian function in a country where there is nothing. Most any item found along side the road or in a street is picked up and used.

If you're shooting a story for ... say ... Public Utility Digest. Then you may very well focus on infrastructure or lack thereof in a poor country and not focus on individual people. An image showing a darken village without electrical power is probably a stronger/more successful image than showing a person with tread bare clothing.

If you're shooting for a general newspaper, most stories in newspapers are about people. Shooting children suffering from malnutrition will be much more successful in communication a level of poverty than a carless Main Street because a car cannot be afforded.

Your subject is too generalized and broad for a simple answer.

 

[photoguy99]

Just as a for instance:

Look up Ansel Adams photo 'the Tetons and the snake river'

What's the subject? Answers will vary, but should reveal something of what each of us consider to be the subject.

I don't think the picture has a subject per se.