FEATURES OF THE VISUAL LANGUAGE OF DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY IN UKRAINIAN PHOTO BOOKS DEDICATED TO REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to analyze the features of the visual language of documentary photography and the actual ways of its presentation in the media space on the example of Ukrainian photo books dedicated to revolutionary events in Ukraine. The main problems of modern photojournalism connected with the development of digital technologies are presented, the value of a photo book as an independent project of a photographer is argued, since commercial photojournalism is largely determined by the narratives of its customer. The issues of the transformation of the language of photography both in modern journalism and in the photo project are considered, the main methods of creating the content of a photo story or photo series in photo books are substantiated. Traditional reportage documentary photography, intended for use primarily for commercial purposes in illustrated magazines, is also an important means of creating independent documentary projects or photo books. Such an approach is especially valuable if it reproduces important historical events, as in the Ukrainian photo books under consideration. Ukrainian photo books are distinguished by a variety of techniques for creating content and post-processing methods that appeal to the aesthetics of postmodernism. The use of filmy contrast black and white photography, grainy or blurry images, disruption of the composition, introduce a unique and original form of expressiveness into the photo book. Due to the documentary photography, direct nature of non-staged shootings and the original style of representation, Ukrainian photo books, which are both a document of history and a reflection of the subjective vision of the author, continue to arouse interest and resonate with the viewer.