PhotoVoice Auction 2011
About PhotoVoice
PhotoVoice is an award-winning international charity and a leading organisation in the field of participatory photography. Our projects enable those who are traditionally the subjects of photographs to become their creators. Through photography, participants find the confidence to speak out about their challenges, concerns, hopes and fears. PhotoVoice’s vision is for a world in which no one is denied the opportunity to speak out and be heard. PhotoVoice’s mission is to build skills within marginalised communities using innovative participatory photography and digital storytelling methods, so that they have the opportunity to represent themselves and create tools for advocacy and communications to achieve positive social change. PhotoVoice’s partners are involved in every project – be they an international NGO or a local community organisation. We work in the UK and internationally, with a wide range of people who are marginalised, at risk and discriminated against, because of factors including poverty, ethnicity, age, health, disability and HIV status. We provide a platform for these groups to show their work and advocate for change.
Why photography? Photography is a highly flexible tool that crosses cultural and linguistic barriers and can be adapted to all abilities. Its power lies in its dual role as an art form and as a means to record facts. It provides an accessible way to define realities, communicate perspectives and raise awareness of important social and global issues. The relative low cost of photography and ease of dissemination encourage sharing and increase the potential to generate dialogue and discussion.
Below left: Harry Lakin SPACE © Harry Lakin 2011 / Cheshire East Council / PhotoVoice From Aiming High Below right: © Amjad / World Vision / PhotoVoice Sweet 16 in my culture I took this picture of Mehak behind the fence because it shows how young girls like us aren’t allowed out and how we are locked in all the time. It feels like a prison, it’s like we’re behind bars all the time. See it Our Way Pakistan