Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just starting to explore the art form, these five films offer a captivating glimpse into the world of photography and the stories it can tell. My sister and I are always watching for the zoom lenses used or if they are using a smartphone for surveillance photos. If you’re a photographer, you know by how the scenes are shot, if a professional has been on set advising what gear to use!

If you’re looking for some movies to watch, I would pop some popcorn and settle in for these films.

• The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013): This heartwarming adventure follows Walter Mitty, a timid photo editor at Life magazine, as he embarks on a global quest to find a missing negative. The film beautifully showcases the power of photography to capture extraordinary moments and inspire dreams. Plus, the soundtrack is a bop.
  Photography Focus: Explores the power of photography to capture life’s extraordinary moments and the importance of preserving these images.
  Box Office: $187.5 million

• Lee (2023): A biopic of photographer Lee Miller, exploring her life as a model, surrealist artist, and war correspondent for British Vogue during World War II.
  Photography Focus: Showcases Miller’s groundbreaking work, including her harrowing images from Nazi concentration camps.
  Box Office: $13 million

• Finding Vivian Maier (2013): This documentary tells the incredible story of Vivian Maier, a reclusive nanny who secretly amassed a vast collection of stunning street photography. The film explores the life and legacy of this hidden talent, leaving viewers in awe of her artistic vision.
  Photography Focus: Highlights the life and artistic vision of a hidden talent, exploring the ethics of discovering and exhibiting another person’s art.
  Box Office: $7.3 million (Documentary)

• The Bang Bang Club (2010): This gripping drama tells the true story of four photojournalists who risked their lives to document the fall of apartheid in South Africa. The film offers a powerful and often disturbing look at the realities of war photography.
  Photography Focus: Depicts the courage and ethical dilemmas photojournalists face in war zones.
  Box Office: $2.3 million

• The Truman Show (1998): While not strictly about photography, this thought-provoking film explores themes of reality, identity, and the power of media. The Truman Show serves as a poignant reminder of the constructed nature of our reality and the role of the “camera eye” in shaping our perception.
  Photography Focus: Explores the voyeuristic nature of reality television and the ethical implications of capturing and broadcasting people’s lives without their consent.
  Box Office: $264 million
  

Have you seen any of these movies? What are your favourite photography films? Share your thoughts in the comments below!