Media and Research

This chapters we have been reading over the course of these past two weeks have been extremely interesting. Using media such as video to represent a person's or self culture is a very successful way of giving your audience a glimpse into their lives. As she mentions throughout her chapter technology is always expanding and becoming more advanced, so in order for a researcher to present his/her material they need to have a vast knowledge of how to edit and capture the footage. Another thing that is of key importance is the subject and the audience and how you portray them. As a researcher portraying your audience you are walking a very thin line on how you are doing it.

Her research with working with dance, music, and graffiti artists was extremely interesting. What I found amazing is that most were very open to share their skills and talents with her in order to get the word out. She mentioned that capturing the relationship between people and their surroundings is essential in research, but to do that successfully is the key. One problem she also mentioned was that a researcher may tend to hide behind the camera more often than she should. A think to remember is not get caught up in the filming instead of the moment in front of you.

Throughout the chapter she really seemed to know her stuff and how to clearly communicate it unlike some other chapters in the book. At some point in time I would like to explore video and editing, but the vision for my research is not through video (let alone my technical difficulties).

Using Bolgs as new media is not new to any of us, considering we are doing that right now. I really enjoyed this chapter also due to the fact that I could see myself someday using a public blog for research and or awareness of Celiac. Today there are many out there that I have been following let along all of the facebook groups I have joined.

Here are a few:

http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/

http://www.triumphdining.com/

And many more on facebook.

I mostly use these blogs for random advice, but can stay on them for hours doing that.

I could see myself using a Blog for two purposes. One being a way to communicate with other individuals or groups who were diagnosed. The other being a researcher and compiling all of my informations in a way that is organized and dated. To be able to access things through a bolg anywhere that has internet, which is practically everywhere today if you want it to be. Once again as a blogger I need to be aware and cautious when posting and how I got about posting such things. (but if not that may be the fun of it)

Also to let a Blog be used as a tool for others to critique your work. I have never thought about this, but it certainly makes sense. One of the great tools for a blog is people to be able to comment and give advise through your Blog and you are able to see/ comment upon their responses. This I suppose could create an amazing dialogue.

Zines, I could also see as a potential for my research, but would that reach my audience. After constructing several zines i am not sure if i have been successful in creating one that has been a break through in my mind. Overall I enjoy the idea of photocopying and giving the zine a handmade look that I desire. Being able to collage and do it successfully is key and that is where I am running into my problems.