ABSTRACT

In the next two chapters, ‘place’ and ‘identity’, two interlinked concepts central to the understanding of social life, are discussed, highlighting the value of visual approaches to research. One use of visual records of research is to map the physical surroundings, add texture and detail to interview situations and generally provide what has been termed ‘extra somatic memory’ (Khun, 2007; Prosser, 2008). In terms of the issues of place and identity, images can help to convey the subjective feelings, atmosphere and dynamics of the surrounding cultural and social spaces. The two concepts are closely interrelated; for a location to become a ‘place’ it accumulates meanings for individuals and takes on an identity. Identity itself is strongly grounded in material belonging to a place/a community/a country. Both concepts can be argued to take place within the matrix of social construction and representation.