Documentary photography is like a portal into another world. It can illuminate everything from the inner life of any average person to the biggest issues facing humanity.

All photography documents something, of course. But I’m talking about those candid, fly-on-the-wall snapshots which have a way of capturing change in the making.

Think of Nick Ut’s famous image of a naked Vietnamese girl, crying as she flees a napalm attack. That picture was taken in 1972 and continues to endure as an iconic anti-war statement.

True documentary photography is not a showcase for technical prowess. That’s still there, beneath the surface, but a strong image can be compared to acting: when it’s really good, it feels so natural that you briefly forget about the expertise on show.

The best photographers know how to make themselves invisible. It’s by dissolving into the background that they find the ability to slow time down and hone in on moments of meaning.

In 1945, Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal seized upon a moment that would have seemed mundane to all involved: five American troops hoisting up the American flag on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima. Yet that frame became a symbol of unity in the face of turmoil.

At its best, documentary photography lets you step into someone else’s shoes – not just the perspective of the photographer, but the life before your eyes. That’s an incredibly powerful way to inspire empathy and challenge preconceptions – something we could surely use more of.

When I’m moved by a photograph, a collaborative process takes over in my imagination. I love to fill in the gaps in my head, picturing the subject’s life beyond the picture, fleshing out a background story that may or may not be true.

At a time when social media is flooded with fleeting imagery, the way that documentary photography can really dig deep into a subject matter feels so much more stimulating, nourishing, and rewarding by comparison.

Reading about the magic of imagery is one thing; experiencing it for yourself is another. In Part 2, I’ve curated a mix of personal favorites and all-time greats of documentary photographers to explore...