Video ethnography

“I can rely on (almost) any digital audio or video technology, but the difference isn’t made by devices, but by researcher’s experience, ideas, ability to interact with respondents”

Technology plays a key role in ethnographic sessions, enabling on the one hand a deeper analysis (you can re-examine recorded gestures, places, quotes), on the other hand a more effective way of making a final presentation (via a video report)

For my ethnographic interviews or observations, I personally choose the best technological device in order to get the right outcomes: from hidden and “spy” cameras to the GoPro, from the reflex to the professional camcorder

Thanks to my wide experience, I can manage the qualitative interview while recording via any device (audio or video): sometimes I voluntarily leave the camera out in order to let the respondent feel free to speak (but my wide-angle lens is recording!), sometimes technology comes first, playing a key role

Making the respondent comfortable
Most of the times both the camera and the audio recorder don’t have to be invasive: respondent’s spontaneity is the first thing to be preserved
Small is nice
Small, handy, compact digital cameras and devices are the best ones, especially if they also have at least HD quality
Don’t forget the wide-angle lens!
If ethnography is also a question of discovering places, gestures, details, the open-angle lens has to be part of the digital kit… in order to not loose anything!