In-between People, Pictures and People. Ambivalent Relationships and Alternative Praxis in the Photographic Field of Tension

The contribution focuses on the question of an alternative photographic praxis. It reaches from ambivalent experiences throughout the act of picture­taking in regions of conflict to theoretical sketches on the photographic field of tension generated by the unequal positions and relationships among the people involved. From this vantage point Brandner addresses the necessity of exploring collective fields of praxis and experiment – to become capable of identifying these ambivalent relationships, and further overcome a perception which views them as mere obstacles in everyday photographic praxis, resulting, finally, in a more dignified approach towards them. In this respect, an alternative photographic praxis should render conceivable the relationships between people and pictures, but also the interrelations of people with each other. Finally, the publication suggests the method of Generative Picturing as a means to collectively access and utilise the transformative potential of photographic praxis. By exploring photography as a tool for perception, interaction, dialogue and reflection it can be applied both in dialogic educational work and within the realms of participative research. This enhances a mutual learning process throughout which those involved repeatedly relate with each other via their actions, pictures and stories, thus exploring the lines between ‘the own’ and ‘the other’.