VRMISR Chapter 1: Intro: Images, Methodologies and Generating Social Knowledge

This week we move into our second literature for the semester. Visual Research Methods Image, Society and Representation by Editor Gregory C. Stanczak. In this chapter Stanczak introduces the three themes used in visual research: methodology, epistemological reflection and theoretical contributions of images. He begins with describing how he took photos of a child posed in from of a church building in East Africa. These photos were unintended photos, but now these photos have left him asking himself what did these photos convey?

Reasoning behind images:

• Images provide illustration

• They stir up conversations

• Spark up conversations: Inquiring on the "How's and the Why's"

• Re-think what the image is actually trying to convey to us

• Why are you standing smiling in front of a funeral…?

• Straight forward documentaries

• Look at the themes

• Different methodologies

• The theories behind it

• What you did, what your protocol was in choosing this…

• Be aware of the lighting… manipulating photos

• You can make images appear scary than they really are…

• Images helps us know the world as we see

• Pull different things from the photos

• Visuals tell stories, we need to learn the story

• Illustrates what is going on

• Not taking a selfie