From Photos to Performances: Exploring the Digital Transformation of Photovoice Through Velfies

In response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on traditional Photovoice studies, this article explores the potential of digital technologies to transform the methodology rather than merely adapt it. We introduce velfies (self-recorded video performances), a digital evolution that enha...

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Main Authors: Lucian Ciolan, Loredana Manasia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-04-01
Series:International Journal of Qualitative Methods
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069251337872
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author Lucian Ciolan
Loredana Manasia
author_facet Lucian Ciolan
Loredana Manasia
author_sort Lucian Ciolan
collection DOAJ
description In response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on traditional Photovoice studies, this article explores the potential of digital technologies to transform the methodology rather than merely adapt it. We introduce velfies (self-recorded video performances), a digital evolution that enhances participant agency by allowing them to shape the research narrative through multimodal and performative elements, such as voice, gesture, and movement. This approach shifts participants from being mere observers to active performers, enriching the research process with diverse, multimodal expressions. Our study with university students, focused on interactions with innovative pedagogies, demonstrates how velfies can deepen engagement and provide richer, more nuanced data. We argue that this performative, digital approach expands Photovoice methodology by bridging the gap between participant experience and researcher interpretation, capturing the complexities of lived educational experiences with greater depth and nuance.
format Article
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issn 1609-4069
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publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher SAGE Publishing
record_format Article
series International Journal of Qualitative Methods
spelling doaj-art-67c7ef08a4bc4569beb2c314663e1e182025-08-20T02:26:27ZengSAGE PublishingInternational Journal of Qualitative Methods1609-40692025-04-012410.1177/16094069251337872From Photos to Performances: Exploring the Digital Transformation of Photovoice Through VelfiesLucian CiolanLoredana ManasiaIn response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on traditional Photovoice studies, this article explores the potential of digital technologies to transform the methodology rather than merely adapt it. We introduce velfies (self-recorded video performances), a digital evolution that enhances participant agency by allowing them to shape the research narrative through multimodal and performative elements, such as voice, gesture, and movement. This approach shifts participants from being mere observers to active performers, enriching the research process with diverse, multimodal expressions. Our study with university students, focused on interactions with innovative pedagogies, demonstrates how velfies can deepen engagement and provide richer, more nuanced data. We argue that this performative, digital approach expands Photovoice methodology by bridging the gap between participant experience and researcher interpretation, capturing the complexities of lived educational experiences with greater depth and nuance.https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069251337872
spellingShingle Lucian Ciolan
Loredana Manasia
From Photos to Performances: Exploring the Digital Transformation of Photovoice Through Velfies
International Journal of Qualitative Methods
title From Photos to Performances: Exploring the Digital Transformation of Photovoice Through Velfies
title_full From Photos to Performances: Exploring the Digital Transformation of Photovoice Through Velfies
title_fullStr From Photos to Performances: Exploring the Digital Transformation of Photovoice Through Velfies
title_full_unstemmed From Photos to Performances: Exploring the Digital Transformation of Photovoice Through Velfies
title_short From Photos to Performances: Exploring the Digital Transformation of Photovoice Through Velfies
title_sort from photos to performances exploring the digital transformation of photovoice through velfies
url https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069251337872
work_keys_str_mv AT lucianciolan fromphotostoperformancesexploringthedigitaltransformationofphotovoicethroughvelfies
AT loredanamanasia fromphotostoperformancesexploringthedigitaltransformationofphotovoicethroughvelfies