PhotoVoice Project: Sacred Landscapes

This study uses a methodology called photovoice, asking people to take photographs of landscapes within their community in response to a series of guiding questions. The purpose of this study is to explore what landscapes people identify as sacred, and how they engage their surroundings at the spiritual level. Volunteer photographers are asked to photograph landscapes within their community and record in a photo-journal what they photographed and why.

Participants eligible for this study must be over the age of eighteen, are cognitively able to understand the instructions and purpose of the study, and speak English as a first or second language. We are seeking 10 volunteer participants.

As a volunteer photographer we ask that you consider the following questions before taking any pictures and let these questions help guide you in deciding what to photograph.

(1) As a person of faith, what do you value in your landscape and why?

(2) What landscapes or landscape features best reflect your relationship with God?

(3) To what landscapes or landscape features do you attach spiritual significance and why?

"Landscape" includes "natural landscapes" and "cultural landscapes." Natural landscapes are those that include "natural" features (no buildings or man made structures). Cultural landscapes include structures and other man-made objects. Either or both may be photographed for this study.

For each photograph, we ask that you complete an individual journal entry following the instructions in the journal that we will provide.

The results of this study, including photographs, information from the respondent survey, photo-journal and any interviews conducted, will be initially published on-line in The Daily Yonder (www.dailyyonder.com), an on-line magazine dedicated to issues in rural America.

Results of this study may also be reproduced for educational and/or noncommercial purposes, in reports, presentations, publications, websites and exhibitions connected to the project.

If you are interested and would like to learn more join us at the church Saturday January 21^st at 10:00 A.M.