How to do Photovoice?How to do Photovoice?Annabelle WongMarch 15, 2011

Today’s objectivesToday’s objectives

Appreciate the power of photovoice

Introduce main goals of photovoice

Learn the steps of conducting photovoice

What do you think when you see this photo?

Vacation?! Genevieve Jones*, 2006

Places like this—McNally Robinson, the public libraries, the Mendel and other art galleries, the University Geology Building—are my usual vacation spots. And closer to home when I'm not feeling well. Out of city, or province, or country are not things I have money for, unless I choose not to eat properly, or make other such sacrifices.

What’s the first thing comes to your mind?

All I Want for Christmas is to Participate Lynn*, 2006

I’m not able to buy a present for a niece or nephew and I also don’t get any presents because people don’t want to make me feel bad or obligated to buy something for them.

Guess why the photographer take this picture

Waiting by the Phone Lynn*, 2006

Surviving below the poverty line means being isolated from loved ones in good times and bad. I do not have any money to put toward long distance calls. I cannot reciprocate; I just get calls when other people feel like calling.

What’s Photovoice? What’s Photovoice?

“Photovoice is a process by which people can identify, represent, and enhance their community through a specific photographic technique.”

- Caroline Wang

PhotovoicePhotovoice Caroline Wang and Mary Ann Burris developed the

concept in 1992

Subtype of "participatory visual methods"

Three main goals:1. To enable people to record and reflect their

community's strengths and concerns;

2. To promote critical dialogue and knowledge about personal and community issues through large and small group discussions of photographs;

3. To reach policy makers.

How to do Photovoice?How to do Photovoice?

How to do Photovoice?How to do Photovoice?

How to do Photovoice?How to do Photovoice?

Hints: Probing Qs in group discussionHints: Probing Qs in group discussion

Examples:

Please tell me more about what’s going on in this picture [may want to point out a particular activity or relationship in the photo].

Please tell me more about the people in this picture. Why did you want to focus on them?

As you look over all these pictures, how are they similar and how are they different?

What different stories are the pictures telling? What stories are they not telling?

StrengthsStrengths

Bring the issues of people with less voice to the policy-making process

Identify problems and strengths omitted from other data gathering means

Generate understanding of the wider context

Pictures taken by participants can show places where researchers have no access

Empowerment!

EmpowermentEmpowerment

Video: http://www.photovoice.ca/index.php?page=video

Participants gain control

Participants are very excited to take pictures, allowing them to discuss their true feelings

EmpowermentEmpowerment

Self-determination on the subjects

Participants feel confident with their skills

Participants take seriously the community responsibility due to engagement

The pictures are meaningful to participants

LimitationsLimitationsDifficult to present/photograph non-tangible

items or issues

Geographic accessibility, seasonality and weather can limit photographer’s choices

Political climates / safety

Picture quality

Mixed photos with other participants

Recall memories

Previous projectsPrevious projectsSince 1999, there has been over 21 photovoice

projects working in over 12 different countries with over 1000 beneficiaries

Refugee groups Street children OrphansThe homelessLow income groupsHIV/ AIDS sufferersRural breast cancer survivorsEthnic minorities ImmigrantsPatients in hospital wardsOther special need groups

Photovoice is everywhere…Photovoice is everywhere…

Photovoice on Twitter

Photovoice is everywhere…Photovoice is everywhere…

Photo contest held by Global Health Council

ReviewReviewAppreciate the power of photovoice

- Empowerment

Remember three main goals: 1. To enable people to record and reflect their

community's issues; 2. To promote critical dialogue and knowledge;3. To reach policy makers.

Learn the key steps of doing photovoice:◦ Preparation Recruitment & Training

Photography assignment Critical dialogue and knowledge in group discussion Reach others to create change evaluation

References (1)References (1)

Castleden, H., Garvin, T., & Huu-ay-aht First Nation. (2008). Modifying photovoice for community-based participatory indigenous research. Social Science & Medicine, 66, 1393-1405. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.11.030

Innovation Center for community and youth development. (2008). Activity: Photovoice. Retrieved March 8, 2011 from http://www.theinnovationcenter.org/activities-toolkits-and-reports/sustain

Lorenz, L. S., & Kolb, B. (2009). Involving the public through participatory visual research methods. Health Expectations, 12, 262-274. doi: 10.1111/j.1369-7625.2009.00560.x

Media Development. (2009, September 14). Photovoice methodology. Retrieved March 5, 2011 from http://www.comminit.com/en/node/201294/2754

References (2)References (2) Photovoice. (2009, October 28). Urban’s photos. Retrieved

March 11, 2011 from http://www.photovoice.ca/index.php?member_id=37

PhotoVoice. (2011) Projects. Retrieved March 8, 2011 from http://www.photovoice.org/projects/

Prairie Women’s Health Center of Excellence. (2006). Low income women speak out through photovoice projects. Retrieved March 8, 2011 from http://www.pwhce.ca/program_poverty_photovoice.htm

Wang, C., & Burris, M. A. (1997). Photovoice: Concept, methodology, and use for participatory needs assessment. Health Educ Behav, 24(3), 369-387.doi: 10.1177/109019819702400309

Questions?Thank you!

Flexibility of doing PhotovoiceFlexibility of doing Photovoice

GroupVs.

Individual

One timeVs.

Repeat loop

Please feel free to modify the approach for your target group