ABSTRACT

The use of images, particularly photography, has been steadily gaining popularity in academia, but there has not yet been a book that deals with the act and process of photo-taking in the field. Drawing upon 21 years of photographic experience and sociological research, Terence Heng’s immersive and narrative style will:

  1. introduce photography as a qualitative method;
  2. discuss the intricacies of, challenges in and opportunities for using a camera in the field;
  3. explore common themes and topics in social science research, including photographing rituals, space, people and objects;
  4. advise on navigating the always evolving technological landscapes of traditional, digital and mobile photography.

Visual Methods in the Field: Photography for the Social Sciences is a photography guide written for researchers by a researcher. Using in-depth ethnographic case studies from research done in various urban environments, this book will act as a crucial bridge for students in geography, sociology, education, media studies and other social sciences to incorporate photography into their research repertoire.

chapter 1|16 pages

Introduction: photo graphy in the field

chapter 2|18 pages

Equipping your self in the field

chapter 4|19 pages

Photographing space and “scapes”

chapter 6|15 pages

Photographing every day life 2 – ritual

chapter 8|16 pages

Photographing people

chapter 10|20 pages

Smartphone photo graphy

chapter 13|15 pages

Final remarks and an annot ated photo essay