Advantages of Photovoice • It is fun and accessible - can be used with a wide range of participants overcoming age-based, social, cultural and linguistic barriers to written or verbal communication. • It is not costly - a growing percentage of the population in most countries have access to a smartphone which reduces the cost of resourcing tools (i.e. cameras) • It is simple - participants simply need to capture images about a particular theme and share them with the wider group as a means to support the narrative. • It is responsive – photos appear immediately and there is a collective sense of empowerment means that your research participants will share more and provide richer insights through reflection within the group. • It is impactful - it is hard for anyone to deny the reality depicted in photographs. Images reflect the realities of community members’ lives – at that time and place. Photovoice gives ‘voice’ to those who may be marginalised and as it represents the views of the community, could act as a catalyst for change. Ethical considerations when using Photovoice (Refer Tool 2: Ethics Guidelines and checklist for HRCLD.) Specifically, the subject and use of the photos needs to be considered . • Process of taking the photo – it is important to be honest about how the subject of the photo is cast – whether a person or an issue. It could be tempting to depict something in its worse light. • Intrusion – taking a photo ‘cold’ could be intrusive. Carefully negotiate this relationship. • Consent - images involving people require verbal consent before photographs are taken (this consent can be written into a notebook). If this is not possible, people should not be personally identifiable. In any event it is not advisable to photograph people under 18 where identity is evident. • Use of images – the photos are taken for the community and by the community. The community therefore should discuss how they are to be used. Do any consented subjects of the photos wish them to be deleted following the Photovoice activity? If they are used –for further discussion, for reports, for later referral etc – how they should be stored safely. Offer a copy of the photo back to the person photographed if they are recognisable and consented. Online References: Community Toolbox https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/assessment/assessing-community-needs-and-resources/photovoice/main Kids with Cameras / Kids with Destiny is an organization founded by Zana Briski, the photographer involved in the film “Born Into Brothels.” It works with street children in Calcutta. Photovoice provides an explanation of the process, from the Photovoice website prepared by Caroline Wang. Photovoice Activity is a guide for using Photovoice in a specific way. (KLCC is the Kellogg Foundation’s Kellogg Leadership for Community Change initiative.) Photovoice Kit is a complete web-based toolkit for carrying out a Photovoice project that combines photography, dialogue, photo exhibits, and social action to address the community issues you care about. The Photovoice Process – The Photovoice Hamilton (Ont.) Youth Project Photovoice Project from University of Michigan shows teens documenting their public health concerns. Photovoice UK provides resources on conducting a Photovoice process, including a Statement of Ethical Practice and Photovoice Slideshows. South Park Photovoice on flickr. From the South Park branch of the Seattle, Washington Public Library. Southern West Virgina Photovoice Project shows women documenting their communities, their way of life, and what’s happened to them as a result of mountaintop removal coal mining. Witness is a nonprofit founded by musician and activist Peter Gabriel. It trains activists and human rights organizations to video evidence of human rights abuses and uses the videos to bring perpetrators to light and to justice and to empower people to tell their stories. Youth-led Participatory Action Research is an innovative approach to positive youth and community development based in social justice principles in which young people are trained to conduct systematic research to improve their lives, their communities, and the institutions intended to serve them. APF HRCLD Guide 89