Tutorial two was focused on digital cameras and the many uses they provide for people. Specifically the tutorial highlighted: ethical considerations, using cameras in OT practice and capturing photos using a digital camera.
I am a photography fanatic, and digital photography is a common ground I play in from time to time (although, surprise, surprise I prefer the old school dark room photography). I don't understand all the components in a digital camera, but I know enough about megapixels, optical zoom and several other functions to purchase a decent camera should I need another, and use it to take a good photo.
Anyway! Let's look at how digital cameras are used by people ...
My interpretation of digital camera use, is that they are tools for recording and sharing life events, moments and experiences. But they also offer more than that: they are tools for storage and transferring images (data).
Nearly all images, videos and audio recordings stored on a digital camera can also be transferred to and from various software programmes: social network sites, Google, email, virtual gaming etc. It is the same with hardware: laptops, desktops, external hardrives, cellphones, MP3, gaming consoles, USB, CDs, DVDs, and TVs .... so many ways to store, share and access the images, videos and audio.
Where are Digital Cameras used?
Work: housing/building modifications, buy & sell advertisements, commercial advertisements, education and schools, design and fashion industry, and loads more that I can't think of!
Play: creative passions, personal life record
Sport: record players in their element, record the venue and crowd, sporting acheivements
Family: record special occasions, memories and experiences
Daily Activity: helps people to show one another something they found interesting/funny/sad etc, can help to remind people of what something looks like that they need to find (e.g taking a photo on your mobile phone of something you want to remember for later), social networking sights (think of Facebook and how many thousands of photos are uploaded, tagged and accessed each day).
These technologies have allowed people to distribute and display images, record events and keep memories, manipulate images and express themselves through digital imaging systems. You can delete "ugly" photos, take (literally) thousands of photos, zoom in and out, change the image quality and size, snap away carelessly, and print out images in no time at all.
" New technologies are never totally superior to the older technologies they attempt to replace"
We are asked to discuss the above quote. I agree with it. People have become so reliant on technology ... what if one day it all crashed? We would not cope with the loss of it in our lives. The very thought of trying to imagine life without technology, proves that it really has become a way of life as we know it.
Technology is brilliant, but it is not perfect. That is what I understand from the above quote.
Hard-drives can malfunction (people lose everything they had stored: personal information, photos, movies, music, legal information, educational information etc). Batteries die in cameras etc, they are often expensive to replace if you don't have the charger with you. USB or transfer cords are not universal, information is easy to delete should someone press the wrong button (I accidently deleted about 500 photos of a family holiday in Stuart Island - our first and last time there ... was very, very angry and upset!).
Ethical issues and digital images:
The problem with digital images, is that they can be distributed almost anywhere the person wants, given the right tools ... meaning they can expose others without realizing OR expose others against their own will; unethical.
Depending on where and how the images will be displayed, one needs to take into account: informed consent from people involved, how securely the images will be stored, who will have access to them and who does the image keeper have responsibility to? These are invaluable questions.
I'll mention facebook again: no need to explain the unethics there.
In other settings, though? Education? Government? Health? Institution? The above questions would need to be considered with high regard.
Ways in which digital cameras are used in OT:
Use of digital cameras in OT is completely context dependent.
In my fieldwork experience within the school setting, digital cameras were used to record group outings with clients and then later presented to parents/care-givers in the form of a newsletter. Cameras were used by clients to experience some different technology and take their own photos as a group project. Photos were displayed in the corridor's of the unit to reflect on past experiences.
I know that in other settings, cameras are used to record a client prior-to and after a given intervention. This enables the therapist to keep a record of the clients' progress, and also show the client too (if appropriate).
The End.
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