During a visual language and photography workshop for the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment we trained policy makers, government staff, social welfare workers and others about the power of the image, semiotics and visual language on the subject of homelessness.
In an extensive image research project, we found that the imagery used in media when reporting on homelessness is stigmatising, biased and unrealistic. In the workshops we shared the findings, made the audience aware of the power of visual representation and shared tools to achieve a more realistic, neutral and constructive visual approach of the issue of homelessness.
The workshops are conducted by members of ‘Het Beelddepot’, a journalistic initiative to find and fight stigmas around the issue of homelessness.
More on the Beelddepot on beelddepot.nl (in Dutch)