How to do Photovoice ?

1. How to do Photovoice? Annabelle Wong March 15, 2011

2. Today’s objectives • Appreciate the power of photovoice • Introduce main goals of photovoice • Learn the steps of conducting photovoice

3. 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 do you think when you see this photo?

4. All I Want for Christmas is to ParticipateLynn*, 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. What’s the first thing comes to your mind?

5. Waiting by the PhoneLynn*, 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. Guess why the photographer take this picture

6. What’s Photovoice? “Photovoice is a process by which people can identify, represent, and enhance their community through a specific photographic technique.” - Caroline Wang

7. Photovoice • Caroline Wang and Mary Ann Burris developed the concept in 1992 • Subtype of "participatory visual methods" Three main goals: • To enable people to record and reflect their community's strengths and concerns; • To promote critical dialogue and knowledge about personal and community issues through large and small group discussions of photographs; • To reach policy makers.

8. How to do Photovoice?

9. How to do Photovoice?

10. How to do Photovoice?

11. Hints: 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?

12. Strengths • 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!

13. Empowerment 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

14. Empowerment • 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

15. Limitations • Difficult 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

16. Previous projects • Since 1999, there has been over 21 photovoice projects working in over 12 different countries with over 1000 beneficiaries • Refugee groups • Street children • Orphans • The homeless • Low income groups • HIV/ AIDS sufferers • Rural breast cancer survivors • Ethnic minorities • Immigrants • Patients in hospital wards • Other special need groups

17. Photovoice on Twitter Photovoice is everywhere…

18. Photo contest held by Global Health Council Photovoice is everywhere…

19. Review • Appreciate the power of photovoice - Empowerment • Remember three main goals: • To enable people to record and reflect their community's issues; • To promote critical dialogue and knowledge; • 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. Photovoice Questions? Thank you!

23. Flexibility of doing Photovoice Group Vs. Individual One time Vs. Repeat loop Please feel free to modify the approach for your target group