Paper short abstract:

Self-reflexivity in visual ethnography is important in order to elaborate on the work process and its contingencies as well as to consider epistemological and methodological questions in the production of anthropological knowledge. The paper critically engages and questions some of its limitations.

Paper long abstract:

In my paper I will critically elaborate on the concept of reflexivity in the research and analysis processes, taking into account anthropology's engagement with the subjectivity of the research encounter and the nature of ethnographic writing as a way of producing knowledge or ways of knowing about other worlds (Pink e.t.al. 2015: 12). Self-reflexivity in visual ethnography is important in order to explain and elaborate on the work process and its contingencies. The mutually constitutive reflexivity or exploration of one's research topic and the employment of various visual media can reveal connections, sensorial dimensions and worldviews that otherwise perhaps would not be apparent. Through a reflexive analysis of the filming process as well as our field research, we can consider these important epistemological as well as methodological questions in the production of anthropological knowledge. Despite these advantages and the necessity of the reflexivity in the context of visual anthropology I would like to question its contribution to the production of knowledge or ways of knowing about other worlds and focus on some of its limitations, through (or with) the analysis of various anthropological papers (articles, Master and PhD projects, etc.) that reflect on the process of visual ethnography as well as through personal experience in doing fieldwork with a camera.