Introduction to Documentary Photography

You will understand what documentary photography and photojurnalism are and how to build a photographic series. You will choose a topic, photograph independently, and work one-on-one with Ioana on selecting, sequencing, and editing. This is a module that may take you out of your comfort zone but will help you grow in your photographic practice.

What you will learn:

• what documentary photography is and most importantly what isn’t;

• the difference between documentary projects and photojournalism;

• limitations, ethical dimensions and other necessary considerations;

• how to compose a photographic series in order to tell the story you photographed.

Images from the opening of Ioana Moldovan's "Broken Borders" exhibition at CdRF and an image from the theoretical part of the course

Course schedule:

• Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 18:00 - 21:00 - Introduction to Documentary Photography

• Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 18:00 - 21:00 - How to Make a Series

• Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 18:00 - 21:00 - Edit (Group 1)

• Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 18:00 - 21:00 - Edit (Group 2)

• Saturday, April 25, 2026, 11:00 - 17:00 - Edit (Group 3)

Course details:

This is a module from the "Fundamentals of Photography" course and can be taken independently by those interested only in documentary photography. The course does not include photo walks but you are expected to take photos on your own. The editing part (selection, sequencing, etc.) is done one-on-one, Ioana allocating around one hour per student - you choose a suitable day out of the three available. You are encouraged to attend the sessions of other colleagues.

You must have a camera with a detachable lens.

About the lecturer (short bio):

Ioana Moldovan is a freelance photojournalist, documentary photographer, writer, and published author. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, BBC, The Sunday Times, The Guardian, Bloomberg, Der Spiegel, GEO Magazin, Libération, de Volkskrant, De Standard, Trouw, Society Magazine, NPR, ESPN, Al Jazeera English, Huffington Post, Deutsche Welle, LensCulture, Radio France Internationale, and Vice, among others. Ioana’s photographs have won awards, illustrated books, been featured in theater performances, and in numerous national and international exhibitions.