Photo Elicitation

This post constitutes part two of my previous post/Documentary Photography assignment, “Photographing a Stranger,” which I posted about here on February 4.
A “photo elicitation” is basically an interview that is accompanied by photos to assist the subject in his responses to any questions asked.
For the assignment, we were to first take photos of a stranger and then meet again after a few days to conduct this interview.

The following is my paper, verbatim, with the exception of his real name for the sake of privacy:

“

Questions asked – personal

• Where are you from?
• Have you heard of the “American Dream”?
• Do you enjoy your job?
• How long have you been doing this job?
• Do you have any another jobs?
• Do you like to meet and interact with new people?

Questions asked – regarding photos

• How do you feel about these photos?
• How do you feel about seeing yourself perform this action?
• What detail catches your eye?
• Do you feel that these pictures are a true representation of yourself?
• Would you change anything about these photos?
• Do you have any other comments about seeing yourself in this environment or what you’re doing?
• Which picture is your favorite?

During the shoot, I found out that my subject was not an American-native. Keeping this in mind while preparing for the elicitation, I knew that I wanted to ask questions that gave me a taste of Liberty Guy’s life story; the questions “where are you from?” and “have you heard of the ‘American Dream’?” emerged from this interest in his background.

Regarding the questions about his job and work life: I felt that his answer to these questions would help differentiate between an honest and a dishonest answer. In other words, I wanted to evaluate whether or not he was really “happy” (as he repeatedly claimed throughout the interview) doing this specific action.

The questions I asked regarding the photos were mostly pulled from [Craig Denton's] article “Examining Documentary Photography Using the Creative Method.” I thought they were very basic questions that would certainly yield to highly informative responses – both verbal and emotional.

As a forewarning, I will be using direct quotes from Liberty Guy – his responses consist of simple vocabulary and are not grammatically correct. Interpretations of the things he said may be subjective. The phrasing of some of my questions also became informal because of his inability to comprehend “big words.”

To begin, Liberty Guy is originally from Turkey who first came here as a refugee, but currently holds a Green Card. He speaks three languages, including Turkish, Arabic, and some other language that I could not understand (he pronounced it like “conch.”) When asked about the ‘American Dream,’ he said, “My dream is coming in America and I live in here, I am work in here, because I like it United States of America and I am coming here and helping people and help me and I am finding job, I am finding home – everything. Very happy here.”

I then proceeded to show him his close-up portrait and asked, “So, how do you feel about this picture right here?”

LG: “I am feeling I am happy because I am work; I am not homeless; I am just doing something in this country. They giving to me everything. I want little bit giving this country something. I am working. I am doing happiest people, because it help me and everyone happy.”

I then revealed to him a medium/close-up photo of him waving as a tan car in motion became part of the background.
W: “How do you feel about seeing yourself do this?”

LG: “I am feeling very happy giving to me same as what I’m doing and I am coming doing tax because tax is important in every country.”
W: “How do you feel about, for example, this car driving by?”
LG: “I am feeling he see me, okay, he feeling happy because I am doing my job.”
W: “And what about this picture here?”

LG: “This picture in here is people come in front me or even for me but him see me, him tell me “hi” I am feeling very happy, because I am enjoying with people too much, yes, it very nice people.”
W:“So it’s a true representation of yourself?”
LG: “True to I am doing, it’s job, me doing this job I am happy because with people.”
W: “So you’re a people-person – you like to meet and interact with people?”
LG: “Yeah, yeah.” [Followed by chuckling]

I then asked him about his job. Even though it was literally freezing outside at the time, he claimed that he enjoyed this part-time job and that the most important thing was that he was giving back to this country by working. He also enjoys the job because it is closer to home.
LG: “I am working new in this job, but before I am working in production but it very far to me in my home because I am apply to job very close to my home.”
W: “So you live around here [400 S. 500 E.]?”
LG: “Yeah, yeah.”
W: “So you can walk?”
LG: “Yeah because I no have car and I want save little bit money I am buy car.”
W: “Do you have any other job than this?”
LG: “No, I no have but I am looking another job, yeah. I know…I like it I am working. Yeah, because money but because if you have time you use it for something is good.”

To end this short interview, I at last asked him what he liked about all four photos.
LG: “This picture because every corner you can see.

In here [photo with the pedestrian passing by] I am see myself true myself and with people.

In here [close-up portrait], I am looking to you I am feeling I am happy you take my picture.

In here [medium/close-up photo of him waving with a tan car in background], I am good for me because I am doing my job.”

The overall experience of completing this assignment opened my eyes to a dimension that I had never considered; the life of someone you may never know. As I review the photos of Liberty Guy, I simultaneously think about the things he said during the interview, of which was the complete opposite of what I had expected. It’s amazing how the lives and attitudes of those people on the street can differ so much from my own.

I have concluded that completing this two-part assignment was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I am just as fascinated by my bravery, as I was fascinated when Liberty Guy said such things. I think this bravery will definitely help excel my interests (and perhaps career) in photography. The downside to it, however, is that I now have to stop myself from approaching almost every stranger and asking, “So, what’s your story?”

“

On another note, I think it’s just amazing how Liberty Guy can represent the millions of immigrants that currently reside in the United States.
They came here looking for the American Dream, and while most are still looking, Liberty Guy seems to be living it.

Lastly, I just have to mention (and I know I keep saying this like it’s a joke): as I listened back to the recording of the interview, I couldn’t help but wonder (in all seriousness) if he thought Chloe and I were undercover Government officials trying to boot him back to his country – he sure did emphasize how “happy” he was to live and work here

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How do you feel about Liberty Guy’s responses?
What other questions should have been asked?
Comments encouraged!