Visual Research Methods - Ch. 6 Photography In Studies of Immigrant Communities

Ch. 6 of Visual Research Methods talks about using photography in studies of immigrant communities. One of the main points of this chapter talks about how working with and taking photographs within an immigrant community can further understand them, and help develop rapport with participants. This helps us get close and build trust with participants, distance in research is minimized. This not only gives us a chance to interact, but in doing so, participants will help you further make sense of photos. This helps you to gain orientation or you can orient yourself further into the community you are studying.

Another way to involve the community is through photo elicitation. Through photo elicitation, giving subject a camera and allowing them to shoot the photos, you give them a voice. We get to see the world through their eyes, and you will end up with photos that may not have been possible to obtain as an “outsider” of the community. This is visual information and involving the participants can possibly be empowering for them. After developing their film, you can connect further, as participants explain the photos and why they chose to take them. You can email images or make copies to give to participants as well. This will help greatly with the analysis process.