Empowering Voices: Medical Perspectives Through PhotoVoice
Observation and Description
- What do you notice first in the photograph and why do you think your attention is drawn there?
Context and Perspective
- Who might be the intended audience for this photograph and how might their interpretation differ from yours?
Interpretation and Meaning
- What emotions or ideas does the photograph evoke in you? Therefore do you think this aligns with the photographer’s intended message?
- What story or message do you think the photograph is trying to convey? Hence, are there any symbols or metaphors present that enhance its meaning?
Critical Reflection
- What questions does this photograph raise for you about its subject or context?
- How does this imagery relate to the Module Topic?
PhotoVoice uses a combination of photography and critical group discussions as a way to engage participants in identifying their own views of the research topic covered in each module, and as a tool for social awareness and potential change.
Key Objectives
PhotoVoice projects have three main goals, or objectives. Firstly, PhotoVoice aims to create a safe space within which participants are encouraged to examine themselves and their community. By using PhotoVoice, participants are able to challenge or question aspects of their social reality. The second goal of PhotoVoice is to involve participants in active listening, sharing and dialogue, which requires that all participants communicate with and learn from one another
Lastly, PhotoVoice aims to move people towards action, and therefore to effecting or stimulating positive changes in their community. Therefore, as part of PhotoVoice’s mission to engage its participants in communication and dialogue, it aims to give voice to participants. Giving voice means providing a space:
- To enable people to record and reflect their community’s strengths and concerns
- To allow women to tell their own stories in their own words
- To promote critical dialogue and knowledge about important issues through large and small group discussion of photographs
- To reach policy/decision makers/larger community APA