About
Documentary Journal is a web series/blog that features video, photography, and thoughts I have been collecting during the early part of my career in documentary media production. It’s a personal experiment not only as a way to reflect and organize past stories but also feature the source of my worldviews. It serves as a platform that constantly allows me to feature an honest outlook on the array of issues across stories I have so far encountered.
During an NPR (National Public Radio) piece on the dangers of war photography, veteran photojournalist, Greg Marinovich, said something, almost in passing, but truly defined the way I approach my work.
He said, “I don’t think journalism should be objective, I think it should be subjective, as long as you’re honest about subjectivities. I think that’s much more honest than people trying to pretend to be truly objective.”
Documentary Journal is my first attempt at an honest subjective approach to telling stories.
Mike Shum is a freelance documentary filmmaker and photographer. His recent projects have included producing and shooting video news releases, web documentaries and public service announcements. His work has appeared on broadcast networks such as CNN International, CBS, Fox 31, and KWGN-Denver.
