Beyond documentary : an investigation into the benefits of collaborative multi media story telling techniques

Abstract

How can the utilisation of multimedia technology combined with collaboration with subjects enhance the practice of documentary for photographers?

This Masters of Design by Project is focused on photographic documentary storytelling.

This research is a study of the relationship between a documentary photographer and two teenage girls. It unpacks how an invitation to collaborate in the creation of a multimedia documentary exhibition developed into an opportunity to research the methods of participatory documentary photography. It examines how the use of digital media, incorporated with collaboration, influences the very threads and textures of the resulting exhibition.

It is presented in three parts. The first is an exhibition of stills images presented as A0 ink jet posters, a seven and a half minute animated multi-media photographic documentary, displayed on a 40 inch portrait LCD screen, and a live interactive Blog site viewed on a 24 inch computer screen. The second is a 30-minute multimedia visual presentation. The third part is this document, the written and visual exegesis. In this document I will make reference to the work by its project title, Beyond Documentary.