Our blog is intended to inspire and educate others about documentary photography. In our Behind the Frame series, we’ve asked staff and students to go back to their favorite images through the years and tell us, “Why does this stand out to you as an exceptional documentary moment?” We hope you enjoy what they have to say!

Photo © Salvador Paniagua/Momenta Workshops 2022.

Photographer: Salvador Paniagua
Workshop: Project LA 2022
Nonprofit: The Children’s Institute
Teaching Team: Syed Yaqeen, Allison Zaucha, Jamie Rose

“Salvador’s photograph is something special. The moment he’s captured, with that young girl pulling off her mask to reveal a smile, is a heartfelt connection to pure joy.

Sal getting down to the kids’ height is more than just technique; it’s empathy in action. Earlier during an editing session, he and I talked about the importance of paying attention to the perspective of our subjects and he’s turned the idea into this image. His angle of view puts you right there in the playground, part of the laughter, part of the excitement. It’s a prime example of how the right viewpoint can turn a photo into an experience.

And let’s not skip over that lighting! It’s as if the sun itself decided to grace the scene. Although harsh sunlight can be tricky to photograph in, Sal’s use of natural light has turned this photograph into a glowing, vibrant celebration of life.

This isn’t just about technical skills; it’s about capturing the light in a way that makes everything come alive. That’s a lesson for every photographer – understanding the dance of sunlight, looking for the “fill light” (in this case the reflection from the concrete floor) can transform a good image into something unforgettable.

Planning ahead and creating a photograph that’s useful for the client.  The empty space on both sides of the young girl adds to the photo’s utility (like adding text or a logo for an advertisement or in an annual report) without losing focus on the emotional core. It’s a lesson in making a photograph that’s as practical as it is moving. It’s the kind of thinking that makes photography more than art; it makes it meaningful.”

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Syed Yaqeen
Editorial Photographer
Momenta Project LA Faculty

This image was taken during the Momenta Project LA: Documenting Nonprofits 2022 workshop. Please join us for the next Project LA in 2024 in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, California. For more information and to reserve your spot, click here.