the photographic essay
The comfort zone
The ‘comfort zone’ is a term used to describe the familiar surroundings, experiences and people
that each of us feel comfortable in and with. They are both familiar and undemanding of us as
individuals. Photography is an ideal tool of exploration which allows us to explore environments,
experiences and cultures other than our own. For professional photojournalists this could be
attending the scene of a famine or a Tupperware party.
A photographer may feel they have to travel great distances in order to fi nd an exotic or unusual
story. Stories are, however, much closer at hand than most people realize. Interesting stories
surround us. Dig beneath the surface of any seemingly bland suburban population and the stories
will surface. People’s triumphs, tragedies and traumas are evolving every day, in every walk of
life. The interrelationships between people and their environment and their journey between birth
and death are the never ending, constantly evolving resource for the documentary photographer.
The photographer’s challenge is to fi nd and connect in a non-threatening and sympathetic way
to record this. The photojournalist should strive to leave their personal ‘comfort zone’ in order to
explore, understand and document the other. The photographer should aim to become proactive
rather than waiting to become inspired and fi nd out what is happening around them.
ACTIVITY 2
Find two meaningful photographic stories containing at least four images.
What is being communicated in each story?
Have the captions infl uenced your opinion about what is happening?
Could a different selection of images alter the possible communication?
Make a list of fi ve photo-essays you could make in your own home town.
Describe briefl y what you would hope to fi nd out and communicate with your images.Orien Harvey