Photographic visions and narrative inquiry

Abstract

This paper examines the ways in which photographic images can be used in narrative inquiry. After introducing the renewed interest in visual methodology the first section examines the ways in which researchers have utilised the camera or photographic images in research studies that are broadly similar to forms of narrative inquiry such as auto/biography, photographic journals, video diaries and photo-voice. It then draws on the published literature in relation to the author’s own empirical research intoeverydayphotography. Here the extent to which the practices which are part of everyday photography can be seen as forms of story-telling and provide access to both narratives and counter-narratives, are explored. Ideas about memory and identity construction are considered. A critical area of argument centres on the relationship of images to other texts, and asks whether it is possible for photographs to narrate independent of written or oral word. It concludes with some remarks about how photographs can be used in research and as a resource for narrative inquiry. This necessitates a understanding of what it is people do with photographs in everyday life.

From Experience-Centred to Socioculturally-Oriented Approaches to Narrative

“…For perspectives on visual and other non-linguistic narratives; see Bell (2009), Harrison (2004, Luttrell (2003), Radley (2009), Ryan (2004 and Seale (2004).…”

Researching Photographic Participatory Inquiry in an E-Learning Environment

“…For the researcher / photographereducator (hereafter R/P-E), this requires developing research and teaching approaches in e-learning photographic practices that can engage a generation now immersed in visual culture, visual processing and the digital stream, and using apps such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Hipstamatic. Research reports that for many students, including digital photography students, the social function of photographic images has overridden the ability to see the photograph as an object (Garry & Gerrie, 2005;Harrison, 2002;Jones, 2010). Students constantly use the digital image as their primary communication tool, such as sending selfies.…”

Experience-Centred and Culturally-Oriented Approaches to Narrative

“…For counter-narratives, see Bamberg and Andrews (2004) and Fine et al (2001) To consider the specialist area of narratives of illness experiences, good texts to start with are Bury (1982), Frank (1997), Kleinman (1988) and Riessman (1990) For perspectives on visual and other non-linguistic experience 'narratives,; see Bell, Radley and Taylor (2003a, b), Harrison (2004), Buckner et al (2005), and Seale (2004) Theses are often good texts to read when trying to find a way to do this kind of research; Sandra Kielty's Psychosocial study of non resident motherhood …”