Photography is Disaster Management Activities

Pictures have become an important resource to communicate and inform. Yet we ask, how many of these pictures are owned and were used by disaster groups for their own purpose of information dissemination, communication and education initiatives?

New technology has made communication and sharing of knowledge among communities, organization and countries easier and faster. Despite the disparities that may arise in the use of  communication technology – barrier in language  may be one that disaster groups may be overcome with the use of photography.    The author of this project believes that utilizing photography can be an innovative method and technique in improving communication when used in the various phases of the disaster management framework.

Photographs communicate in detail, as words may be limited in relaying the effect of a disaster. Evaluations by disaster groups on situations affecting people, status of rehabilitation are observed in detail when in the form of photographs. In the recovery and rehabilitation, a single picture shown to victims may stimulate the sharing of realities. Expressing feelings and the sharing of thoughts may begin by photo elicitation techniques. More importantly, photographs become evidence to showing where and how sponsor and donor funding were utilized.

The use of photographs in disaster management will enhance and strengthen messages that accompany instructions in training manuals, give visual interpretation to descriptions of events, bring more depth in the understanding of disaster information, and become a tool for thorough evaluation of programs and assessments. There is a need to find an alternative and viable approach to documentation that will strengthen communication, information sharing and accuracy in assessments of communities before, during and after a disaster.

What then is the photographer left to do but perform the task of pointing at a specific subject and clicking the camera?  Despite all these – photography requires more from the photographer – After all, the camera is only his instrument and he, the photographer, is the chooser of subjects.  It is the content of what he photographs that defines the kind of communicator that he is.

Furthermore, in deciding when to take photographs for use in disaster management – there is a need to educate the photographer, firstly, on his attitude and ethics when taking photographs on disaster situations. For the photographer to know that the subjects he chooses to focus his camera on –- can contribute to understanding, to knowing and to communicating important messages that may save lives.

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      Taking pictures or photography has been a practice since the early 19th century.  The technological development of the camera has made this activity widespread if not ordinary.  It is available, accessible and familiar to the most common of individuals. It is for this same reason that photography’s influence is taken for granted.

     Technological development in photographs have changed the way we think, talk, write, teach and practice photography. How we make use of this tool to complement our needs is another aspect. To take advantage of photography’s influence to inform, persuade, educate and communicate effectively in disaster management activities and practice is a subject that must be looked at.

       It is an effective tool for communication, useful in research, evaluation, and education. The use of photography can be adapted in the various aspect of disaster risk reduction and management. Activities encapsulated in picture form bring with it an understanding of human activities; allowing us to account and reflect upon these experiences and gain lessons learned and at the same time being able to share these lessons to others.

       Giving and receiving information before, during and after a disaster is the most essential means of survival for those affected. The right information, given at the right time can save lives. Authors of these images; therefore, carries with them a responsibility in capturing, producing and disseminating photographs.

       Although disaster organizations take and disseminate pictures on disaster related activities, the practice is undeveloped to its full potential. The photographer is unaided to producing photographs needed. In the endless demand of images for internet, television and print, there is no instruction or directive on its production, management and supervision especially when used for disaster related information, education and communication. 

      There is not doubt, with the shifting advancements in technology, new developments to the camera will evolve.  It is with this anticipation that innovations will include technical devices that can be useful for image capturing that are more within reach of the disaster management organizations for their use in information dissemination during disasters.   

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 “Technological development in photographs have changed the way we think, talk, write, teach and practice photography. How we make use of this tool to complement our needs is another aspect. To take advantage of photography’s influence to inform, persuade, educate and communicate effectively in disaster management activities and practice is a subject that must be looked at” melin

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