Lesson 1: What is Photovoice? Copy
In this lesson, we will get to know what photovoice is and find out when and how it started.
- Photovoice is a research data collection technique. It uses photography to document and understand a community’s assets and needs from the literal perspectives of individual community members.
- Equipped with cameras, community photographers contribute to research through their photographs and photo narratives. These, ideally, influence policy-making and drive social action.
- The photovoice methodology was developed in the early 1990s by Dr Caroline Wang of the University of Michigan and Dr Mary Ann Burris of the Ford Foundation in Kenya. In a project supported by the Ford Foundation, photovoice was carried out by village women living in the remote countryside of Yunnan Province, China.
- The goal of the project was to assess rural women’s health and socioeconomic needs. Sixty-nine women were taught how to use point-and-shoot cameras and, between June 1992 and June 1993, took about 25,000 pictures showing their daily life: their work, children, and customs.
- In the photovoice process called participatory analysis, the participants selected pictures that most accurately reflected their community’s needs and assets. They then told stories about these photographs and identified issues, themes, and theories.
As a result of this project, local leaders were made aware of the women’s primary issues. The photographs and narratives successfully influenced the policies and programs that affected the lives of the participants and other women in the community.
Let’s recap on the main points:
- Photovoice is a technique for gathering research data.
- In photovoice, community members take pictures that illustrate what they believe are the assets and needs of their community.
- These photos generate knowledge and promote dialogue, clarifying the community’s issues and needs. These, ideally, reach policy-makers and lead to appropriate and meaningful social programs.
Now that we’ve learned about what is a Photovoice, let’s look at why use Photovoice. Click on the next lesson.
