I was using a camera since I was 6 years old, practiced and studied photography throughout highschool and college, and worked for several years in developing classes that used photography as an educational tool. These years of experience were going to help me plan to teach such a class in the Wangzhuang school in rural China, but exposure to that community and people made me aware that though photography is an incredibly powerful tool several aspects of the medium did not fit in with the requirements and considerations that an economically struggling area requires one to face. Yet it has been done before right? Most notably by Wendy Ewald, a hero and role-model for me who has created photography projects all over the still-developing world, from rural India, Mexico and Appalachia all the way to the rough streets of Apartheid-time Johannesberg. What did she see that I missed?
I had to face concerns from myself and the community members that asked if using such an expensive and exclusive tool in the classroom was the right thing. Does photography have the cultural foundation and importance in the developing world that it does in a wealthier, technologically advanced country? Given it's cost is it the right medium to use in a community were the camera that they use to take pretty pictures could cost more than a year's salary? What is the staying power of such a program, when it ends will there be enough of a monetary, technical and even cultural foundation for it to be considered important?
After thinking about these questions for quite some time it becomes hard to make a simple yes or no answer. Photography is a very useful educational tool when used correctly but if you ask whether it is the best tool to use when working in the developing world? I have to say no.
There is a certain magic when someone first uses a camera and looks at the developed picture. They are taking the world that is right in front of their eyes and transforming it into their personal vision of their surroundings. Looking at these pictures can guide a reflection process that helps students look critically at the world around them. But it can be said that there is just as much discovery during a heated debate between students or listening to the words of a community historian speak or mapping community sites. If the ideas are more important than the image, dozens of different methods can be used to guide the student to discover new thoughts, whether it be the camera, the pen or the paintbrush.
This rich potential for using a variety of methods for collecting thought can often be limited if the school or program must invest in camera's for the students. People linked to the project may think wrongly that instead of an educational community activism class, it becomes an artistic photography class. Too much time may be focused on teaching photography's technical skills at the cost of the study of other disciplines. This can be especially troubling in a setting where photography has not been as culturally established as other forms of art, history or culture. Is it really necessary to spend thousands of dollars on necessary equipment and several hours on teaching skills when adequate methods exist in the location naturally from the start?
Collaboration between the teacher and local peoples may be lessened as well, one because of the focus on photography that I just spoke about, and two the local teacher may be intimidated by this expensive piece of equipment that the instructor uses so well. If the instructor doesn't work to share his/her skill and actively search out skills from the surrounding teachers and residents, great opportunities for sharing and dialogue may be missed.
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Because I'm tired I want to close this up for a later time. First just want to say I really believe that photography is a great tool to help students discover and share their ideas BUT it should not be seen as the only way. If you do use photography I think the most important thing to discuss first is what is the goal of using photography in the classroom? Are the pictures more important or the ideas behind them? Is your focus on changing your students minds or reaching out to a larger audience.. If it's to develop thought in your student over creating pictures that can be easily read by outsiders than other methods can be used and definitely considered.
Next topic... Art in Beijing
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