This article tries to give insight on the way visual research is used in contemporary society in relation to the availability of images due to the use of technology. The author starts off by identifying the ways in which such research is carried out currently. After establishing this, Emmison reviews photography’s use as a research tool in the fields of anthropology as well as sociology. In providing this basis, Emmison goes on to high many contemporary concerns related to the use of image in the field of research such privacy and authenticity.
Michael Emmison begins by briefly defining visual research as being founded on the idea that “valid scientific insight in society can be acquired by observing, analysing and theorising its visual manifestations: behavior of people and material products of culture”. In quoting this definition from Belgians sociologists Luc Pauwels, Emmison states that this definition is that it does not integrate the new capabilities presentation by recording technologies such s the camera and video recorder. In critiquing this definition further, Emmison states that “In the last decade or so interest in ‘the visual’ has grown to such an extent that it cannot be viewed as it once was, as a marginalized specialty with only tenuous connections to mainstream social science.” It is with this statement that he highlights social sciences in a visual format becoming a growing field and one that is constantly adapting and changing.
“visual researchers need to embrace data which goes beyond the typical photograph or 2D image with which they have been traditionally preoccupied.
No comments:
Post a Comment