ABSTRACT
The chapter focuses on two common forms of visual research collaboration, photo elicitation (PE) and photovoice (PV). The author has extensive experience with PE and draws on examples of his published work to discuss pros and cons of the method. In short excerpts from studies of a small mechanic’s shop and an early stage of the mechanization of dairy farming he shows how conversations emerge between researcher and the researched individual from close reading of photos either made by the researcher or found in archives. For an examination of PV the author interviews a Dutch PV researcher with years of experience working both in the developing world and in her home country. Reflecting on several studies, the author and expert discuss PV used in on-site program evaluation and as in-depth study of the immigrant experience in Holland. The chapter also briefly reviews new forms of visual and collaborative research, including participatory filmmaking, mapmaking, curating museum exhibitions and drawing. One of the author’s overall conclusions is that participatory visual methods are among the most innovative visual methods currently in use.
