After 20 years of studying immigrant and ethnic communities the author, Stephen J. Gold, was able to successfully integrate visual sociology with photography. A debate emerged after literature was introduced on this visual aid to social science research that questioned whether these visuals were to be the primary object, or a tool used in the analysis of social life. The critics of visuals used in Ethnographic research believe it can only be used as a decorative tool without adding factual merits. Gold argues for the other side stating, “… I suggest that photographic methods and visual data can contribute to the refinement of general propositions about the behavior of immigrant and ethnic groups as they adapt to new environments” (Stanczak 2007). The theory of symbolic interactionism is present in this debate over how a visual image can offer insight to a situation by observing unspoken cues through symbols captured on film. Gold goes on to describe four ways photography assisted him when studying Soviet Jewish, Vietnamese, Israeli, and Arab immigrant communities.
Initially upon gaining access to a new location of study, Gold refers to the use of photographs as a mapping device. To orient oneself in the new location a picture can record environments and even familiarize new faces. After leaving the field images are documentation of the setting that help in the analysis of fieldnotes. Personally, I agree with Gold in his position that images are useful sociological tools more than decoration. Field research, especially for someone new to ethnographic study, seems overwhelming. Photographic images in my opinion, would help me to keep participant interviews and field notes organized. I also value Gold’s appreciation of social scientists getting up close to subjects through use of photography when collecting data instead of taking a distant academic approach.
According to Gold photographs can also act as an icebreaker when building a rapport with respondents. From these interactions the author found he was able to retrieve otherwise unknown facts when listening to stories behind the people in the pictures he took. When commenting on pictures of themselves families conveyed ideas of stratification within the immigrant population otherwise unknown to outsiders. Hearing Golds account of the subjects he photographed reviewing the images and this exchange sparking new information shows how venturing outside of traditional interviewing processes can be advantageous in creating new points of perspective that inspire participants to offer the researcher.
As the digital age advances Gold calculates all the improvements visual sociology has experienced with the major technological improvements. From onsite proofs and editing to the ease of exchange it seems that over the last 20 years photography has improved in its professionalism. The advantages of digitalized images are especially apparent when archiving photographs for social research. From hearing Golds experience it sounds like retrieving a photo would be much easier than recalling from memory or even hunting down recorded audio clips. Email access to respondents can also be easily gained by offering to share images of the subjects in a more rapid time frame.
Studying the migrant populations of Soviet Jewish, Vietnamese, Israeli, and Arabs Gold was able to use visual sociology to gain a deeper understanding of the emigrant relations existing within their new communities. He learned that many saw fellow successful countrymen gaining prestige as self-serving instead of inspirational. However, identified patterns of coethnic employment that demonstrated immigrant entrepreneurs to be compassionate in hiring ethnic cohorts. Through photography Gold found clues that led him to believe Latino labor was being sought out from other immigrant populations. Seeing misspelled signs in Spanish seeking to fill positions with Latino employees was a clue that informed the author of a trend that is true to this day. Gaining insight from an immigrant businessman Gold learned of the benefits connected to Latino employment such as the hard-working ethic and cheap wages illegal immigrants accept.
As I begin to visualize the design of my first qualitative research project the idea of visual sociology is appealing to me more as I understand its intrinsic value. Aside from additional décor of the textual information Gold has outlined many creative ways photography and film can add to the collection of data itself. From this chapter I realize using Images to archive pertinent information is one way I will use visuals in my study. Brainstorming after reading this chapter other forms of utility for my project come to mind, such as, before and after shots and photographing or recording my participants during interviews and while practicing meditation. Overall, I have now determined I will not overlook the powerful tool that is visual sociology as I begin my first experience in ethnographic fieldwork.
Gregory C. Stanczak (2007) Visual Research Methods: Image, Society, and Representation (VRMISR), Sage Publications