Visual Anthropology

The idea of visual Anthropology is an interesting one. The article "Applying Visual Research Patients Teaching Physicians Through Visual Illness Narratives" made me think a lot about how pictures and movies can be used in the study of Anthropology. It is one thing for an anthropologist to ask questions, observe and even take their own pictures but another when the people of a certain culture take pictures. The results provide anthropologists a whole new look at each culture. Before they were just observers of a certain culture now they are a part of that culture. This method of visual anthropology also allows people of a culture to take pictures and videos of what was really important to them. By giving sick people a camera they can choose what they define their illness as. When they anthropologists can see what is important a person who is sick they can begin to formulate what might be important and try to tailor needs and treatments towards these people.