Documenting Life and the In Between (with medium format) Posted On 25th November 2021 To Magazine & Stories
Honest storytelling
In the beginning of my journey with documentary photography, I fell in love with the raw, unique, and honest storytelling that film provided. Being a new wide eyed film enthusiast, the easiest way for me to jump into the pool of analogue would be with 35mm film.
With 36 exposures, I was allowed the bandwidth to explore and experiment at an affordable price, that didn't break the bank, and allowed me to find myself as a visual journalist with the allotted exposures allowed.
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- Embraced
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- Family in park
Medium Format
After mastering the craft of 35mm film, I yearned for a format that would allow my photographs to speak LARGE yet subtle. The answer for this after doing my research was medium format film photography.
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- Philly Kids
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- Man and Son
Rich in detail
The first negatives produced from this new found format, birthed images rich in detail, and made even the simplest of moments feel grand. My portraiture was enhanced by the detail and resolution produced and the emotional connection to my subjects was put widely and large before my gaze.
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- Man and Daughter
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- Oakland City Nicki
It is my goal to document the black experience and narratives in between with respect, grace, and offer regal representation of what I see on my day to day. Medium format has enhanced my process and goal in doing just this.
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- PhillyFamily
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- Waterboyz
Images all © Rita Harper and shot on ILFORD Delta 100
About The Author
Rita Harper
Rita Harper is a documentary photographer and photojournalist from Atlanta, Georgia. A quiet child, she grew interested in imagery and observing her surroundings – both skills that have greatly benefited her work. With no formal art education, she began to take to the streets of Atlanta and discover a style of her own. She quickly realized the affinity she had for capturing Black life and Atlanta culture simultaneously.
It is her goal to show the beauty of the everyday person. Rita has captured images of everyone from unsung pillars of tight-knit communities to regular people fighting against powerful, faceless corporations. She wishes to amplify the voices and narratives of everyday,
working-class Black people and people of color as a reminder that all our lives have a purpose, importance, and value. That you do not have to be famous to have a story worth telling.
Rita has received several grants and awards, including the BET Network Artist in Residence (2019), the Sprite X Wish Atl: The Give Back Artist Grant (2020), Southern Documentary Grant Award (2020), and the National Geographic Emergency Fund for Journalists Grant (2020).
Her photos have been featured in exhibitions all around Atlanta, including shows at the Future Dead Artists Gallery, Mint ATL, Georgia State University, and the Auburn Avenue Research Library. She has also been published in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, National Geographic, The Today Show Digital, Pro Publica, The Guardian, and Ilford Photo.
Although Rita will continue to craft her love letter to Atlanta, she intends to expand her work to chronicle the lives, struggles, and successes of marginalized people across the globe. Her goal is to respectfully offer people whose stories often go overlooked the opportunity to share their realities with others – and to create art that is beautiful, raw, relatable, and captivating in the process.
Follow Rita on Instagram
Check out her website ritaharperphotography.com