Mirror? If the river could speak The process for a community photography project

The 5 step creative process Preparation - building trust & teamwork Origination - taking photos Organisation - choosing photos/themes Sharing - showing photos to others Reflection & renewal - deciding next steps for action Preparation - building trust & teamwork Origination - taking photos Organisation - choosing photos/themes Sharing - showing photos to others Reflection & renewal - deciding next steps for action

Workshop 1 Preparation

Making the circle strong

Playing together Building trust Focusing on warming up body and mind Using creative tools Building a sense of unity Playing together Building trust Focusing on warming up body and mind Using creative tools Building a sense of unity Playing

Visioning Using imagination to envision the project Sharing visions Finding common themes Using left and right brain Using imagination to envision the project Sharing visions Finding common themes Using left and right brain

Workshop 2 Origination deciding and planning what photos to take and then taking them in the community

Journalism photography Documentary Art photography Fashion Photography Tourist photography Portraits etc But photovoice is different… Community photography Focuses less on technique and aesthetic beauty and more on exploring and engaging the community in the project theme Journalism photography Documentary Art photography Fashion Photography Tourist photography Portraits etc But photovoice is different… Community photography Focuses less on technique and aesthetic beauty and more on exploring and engaging the community in the project theme Understanding different photography styles

Focusing on the what? Who? Where? and when? of the photos you plan to take Making a plan to ensure focus on the project theme - in this case the To Lich river Ensuring everyone has their own style and approach - ensuring diversity Allowing spontaneity by not planning all photos Focusing on the what? Who? Where? and when? of the photos you plan to take Making a plan to ensure focus on the project theme - in this case the To Lich river Ensuring everyone has their own style and approach - ensuring diversity Allowing spontaneity by not planning all photos Planning photos

Becoming familiar with the camera Building confidence by loading film and exploring Focus in this workshop is to not introduce too much photography techniques - this will scare the participants and divert them from the objective of engaging in the community. Low cost cameras are unobtrusive and easy to operate thus maximising quality contact with community members Becoming familiar with the camera Building confidence by loading film and exploring Focus in this workshop is to not introduce too much photography techniques - this will scare the participants and divert them from the objective of engaging in the community. Low cost cameras are unobtrusive and easy to operate thus maximising quality contact with community members Introducing the low cost camera and film

Taking photos

Workshop 3 Organisation Sharing developed photos and organising them into themes Making plans for shooting one more roll of film

Understanding personal preferences by clustering and grouping photos Developing the voice of the photos by sharing stories behind the shots Reviewing other participants photographs to learn about their preferences and develop new perspectives Sharing experience of meeting community members and exploring environmental issues with them Understanding personal preferences by clustering and grouping photos Developing the voice of the photos by sharing stories behind the shots Reviewing other participants photographs to learn about their preferences and develop new perspectives Sharing experience of meeting community members and exploring environmental issues with them Reviewing photos

Building visual literacy and the story or voice behind the photos

Workshop 4 Photo and voice selection

Grouping photos and stories Identifying personal viewpoints and preferences Eliminating photos and choosing final 3 based on combination of strength of image and community story- not simply photographic beauty, skill or technique Grouping photos and stories Identifying personal viewpoints and preferences Eliminating photos and choosing final 3 based on combination of strength of image and community story- not simply photographic beauty, skill or technique Selecting 3 photos each

Workshop 5 Choosing and all agreeing title and description of the photography exhibition

Brainstorming to choose exhibition title/subtitle Deciding on curation approach - look and feel of the exhibition Agreeing the central message of the exhibition Identifying ways participants can personally get that message across in the exhibition by engaging directly with people Ensuring the community is involved and invited to the exhibition opening Brainstorming to choose exhibition title/subtitle Deciding on curation approach - look and feel of the exhibition Agreeing the central message of the exhibition Identifying ways participants can personally get that message across in the exhibition by engaging directly with people Ensuring the community is involved and invited to the exhibition opening Finding consensus within the team

Activity Curating the exhibition

Preparations

Activity The exhibition opening

Reflection and renewal Next steps Exhibition has been displayed in several local schools, an international education conference and in the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology The participants all report a much heightened awareness of environmental issues affecting communities in Hanoi Exhibition has been displayed in several local schools, an international education conference and in the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology The participants all report a much heightened awareness of environmental issues affecting communities in Hanoi

The participants all feel more confident and informed to discuss and advocate environmental issues with their: -peers -other community members -international educators -environmental activists -school students -policy makers The participants all feel more confident and informed to discuss and advocate environmental issues with their: -peers -other community members -international educators -environmental activists -school students -policy makers

Below is the list of action ideas the participants and community members want to implement after this project: An education program for primary school children that relates water pollution to health A community team to monitor sanitation issues in the markets and public places along the river A book compiling of good practices residents use to protect the river Below is the list of action ideas the participants and community members want to implement after this project: An education program for primary school children that relates water pollution to health A community team to monitor sanitation issues in the markets and public places along the river A book compiling of good practices residents use to protect the river

The 19 young people are looking forward to cooperating with organisations and individuals to realize these plans in their community. Thank you