Post originally authored by Travis Dewitz – Eau Claire Portrait Photographer
This is a ridiculous top 10 list of present day documentary photographers and photojournalists. There is no way to make an accurate top 10 list of photographers in these fields. There are so many amazing photographers out there documenting everything under the skies and above. This top 10 list is composed of photographers young and old, famous and at the bottom of the ladder on their way up. These 10 photographers create images that are flat-out amazing. I have been following some of the men and women on this list others I found while researching photojournalists for this blog. As a documentary photographer (www.travisdewitz.com) myself , I spend hours admiring others work. Many of the photographers below have worked at one time or another for National Geographic, others have worked for major new agencies.
I tried to add as much variety to my top 10 list as I could. War and middle east photography dominated my Google searches as I was researching photojournalism photography so I pushed on to find other talented photographers from around the world covering other topics. Some of these photographers have a large variety of photo projects others are very dedicated to one subject like Corey Arnold. Corey’s photography is fairly dedicated to capturing fisherman at work. His Bering Sea crab series is one of my favorite sets. Mike Brodie is another photographer that fits this mold capturing transients riding the rails across the United States. On the flip side, Tomasz Gudzowaty has a collection of projects including Power Punch Girls, Pole Dancers, Mexico’s Car Frenzy, Sumo People, and Freerunning just to name a few. Lynsey Addario also has an impressive list of projects with photography that is just as impressive. People are at the center of all of her photography as she photographs some tough hitting subject matter. Edward Burtynsky and Steve McCurry are probably the two most famous on my list. Steve McCurry probably has taken one of the most recognizable and famous photographs to ever be printed by National Geographic. (National Geographic Afghan Girl Cover) Edward Burtynsky known for his large views filled with patterns, lines, and repetitiveness. A few of his works include China, Oil, Ships, and Mines. War photographer Tim Hetherington photographs bring you right into the trenches with the soldiers and he captures the fast paced feel of war. On April 20, 2011 while covering the conflict in Libya, Tim Hetherington and fellow photographer Chris Hondros were killed by Libyan forces in a mortar attack on the besieged city of Misrata. Kitra Cahana project Teens really takes me back to what it felt like to be in that part of my life. Stephanie Sinclair latest project covers the child brides of the Middle East as she tries to bring attention to this culture. My favorite John Decker projects would be his documentation of the homeless through photography and his look at carnival workers, a favorite subject of mine as well. I hope you enjoy the photography from my top 10 favorite photojournalists and documentary photographers listed below.
Kitra Cahana
Kitra Cahana | kitracahana.com/
Kitra Cahana
www.kitracahana.com/home
Google Images
Tim Hetherington
Tim Hetherington | www.timhetherington.com
Tim Hetherington
www.timhetherington.com
Tim Hetherington’s Book – Infidel
Google Images
Edward Burtynsky
Edward Burtynsky | www.edwardburtynsky.com
Edward Burtynsky
www.edwardburtynsky.com
Edward Burtynsky’s Books
Google Images
Corey Arnold
Corey Arnold | www.coreyfishes.com
Corey Arnold
www.coreyfishes.com
Corey Arnold’s Book
Google Images
Stephanie Sinclair
Stephanie Sinclair | www.stephaniesinclair.com
Stephanie Sinclair
www.stephaniesinclair.com
Google Images
Mike Brodie
Mike Brodie | www.mikebrodie.net
Mike Brodie
www.mikebrodie.net
Mike Brodie’s Book
Google Images
Tomasz Gudzowaty
Tomasz Gudzowaty | www.gudzowaty.com
Tomasz Gudzowaty
www.gudzowaty.com
Tomasz Gudzowaty’s Book
Google Images
Lynsey Addario
Lynsey Addario | www.lynseyaddario.com
Lynsey Addario
www.lynseyaddario.com
Google Images
John Decker
John Decker | www.johndeckerphotography.com
John Decker
www.johndeckerphotography.com
Steve McCurry
Steve McCurry | www.stevemccurry.com
Steve McCurry
www.stevemccurry.com
Steve McCurry’s Books
Google Images
Links to my Best Work – Instagram / Commercial Photography / Photojournalism
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Lawson
Excellent post. Love these examples, strong work and love the photography.
Lisa Renee Ragsdale
How About Steve Crise?
Cindy Dewitz
Yes Afghan girl was memorable. I like Corey Arnold out of this bunch. Great list.
Hannah Virginia Coleman
I think that David Burnett has some great shots. He is older, but he has modern photos.
Garry Bryant
I concur. I would put DB in my top 5 photojournlaists in history. He continues to work & consistently produce award winning photos for the last 50 years from war to protraits, to sports.
Umesh Pandey
Hi buddies, My name is Umesh. I want to learn documentary photography. Anyone who needs assistant can contact me my no. is 9582144934.
Christine Shears
I did some documentary photography alongside with BBC whilst filming, would love to learn and do more,
Oliver Li
James Nachtwey???
Piotrek Ziolkowski Photographer
Carol Guzy
Uzza khan
Nice
Alvaro Galerna
One of my favourite that is not on the list, is Reza Deghati. Take a look over Reza Photojournalist Deghati.
Alvaro Galerna
One of my favourite that is not on the list, is Reza Deghati. Take a look over Reza Photojournalist Deghati.
akinda browne
I am a student photographer, my assignment at the moment is documentary
photojournalism. my project is ‘activities for the residents in a care home’.
I have just took some shots at the Tower of London ‘Field of Poppies’ display for experience and found it really helpful as well as interesting talking to the people there.
I have found this website very inspiring, just been looking at Tomasz Gudzowaty love it!
HM-Battaglia
alessandro rocchi http://www.altamente.it
Pete
Shame about McCurry and his Photoshopping ways. Time to replace him with an ethical photojournalist.