Top 10 Modern Photojournalists and Documentary Photographers

July 27, 2013 Travis Dewitz

Post originally authored by Travis Dewitz – Eau Claire Portrait Photographer

Top 10 Modern Photojournalists and Documentary Photographers

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 CoverEdward 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 Photography Website

Kitra Cahana | kitracahana.com/

Kitra Cahana
www.kitracahana.com/home
Google Images


 

Tim Hetherington

Tim Hetherington Photography Website

Tim Hetherington | www.timhetherington.com

Tim Hetherington
www.timhetherington.com
Tim Hetherington’s Book – Infidel
Google Images


 

Edward Burtynsky

Edward Burtynsky Portrait Photographer

Edward Burtynsky | www.edwardburtynsky.com

Edward Burtynsky
www.edwardburtynsky.com
Edward Burtynsky’s Books
Google Images


 

Corey Arnold

Corey Arnold Documentor Photographer

Corey Arnold | www.coreyfishes.com

Corey Arnold
www.coreyfishes.com
Corey Arnold’s Book
Google Images


 

Stephanie Sinclair

Stephanie Sinclair Photojournalist Photographer

Stephanie Sinclair | www.stephaniesinclair.com

Stephanie Sinclair
www.stephaniesinclair.com
Google Images


 

Mike Brodie

Mike Brodie Documentory Photographer

Mike Brodie | www.mikebrodie.net

Mike Brodie
www.mikebrodie.net
Mike Brodie’s Book
Google Images


 

Tomasz Gudzowaty

Tomasz Gudzowaty Documentory Photographer

Tomasz Gudzowaty | www.gudzowaty.com

Tomasz Gudzowaty
www.gudzowaty.com
Tomasz Gudzowaty’s  Book
Google Images


 

Lynsey Addario

Lynsey Addario Photojournalist Photographer

Lynsey Addario | www.lynseyaddario.com

Lynsey Addario
www.lynseyaddario.com
Google Images


 

John Decker

John Decker Photography Website

John Decker | www.johndeckerphotography.com

John Decker
www.johndeckerphotography.com


 

Steve McCurry

Steve McCurry Photojournalist Photographer

Steve McCurry | www.stevemccurry.com

Steve McCurry
www.stevemccurry.com
Steve McCurry’s Books
Google Images


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Travis Dewitz

My name is Travis Dewitz and I am from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. My specialty is commercial photography with a love for expressive portraits. My work is Conceptual, Emotive, Editorial, Surreal and Eclectic. I am passionate about fashioning new worlds through photographs as I extend my visions beyond the realm of the camera. I have incredible vision, which you can see in all of my photos.

Comments (23)

  1. Cindy Dewitz

    Yes Afghan girl was memorable. I like Corey Arnold out of this bunch. Great list.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Christine Shears

    I did some documentary photography alongside with BBC whilst filming, would love to learn and do more,

  5. Alvaro Galerna

    One of my favourite that is not on the list, is Reza Deghati. Take a look over Reza Photojournalist Deghati.

  6. Alvaro Galerna

    One of my favourite that is not on the list, is Reza Deghati. Take a look over Reza Photojournalist Deghati.

  7. 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!

  8. Shame about McCurry and his Photoshopping ways. Time to replace him with an ethical photojournalist.

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