Perspectives of Poverty is a photo project that challenges the way we view the rural “poor.” By compiling the subtle signifiers of poverty, media images have continued to project a distorted image of Africa – one of despair and desperation.
By taking two different photos of the same person, this project aims to expose this bias and present people in a light of dignity. Rural Africa abounds with capable, resilient, intelligent, and compassionate people, and this must be recognized if meaningful action is to be taken against global poverty. Investment in capable people, not charity, is what is needed, and the path towards this begins with viewing those who struggle with dignity and respect.
View the complete project so far:
Water Wellness 
[…] Perspectives of Poverty Posted by: dmcnicholl | October 1, 2010 […]
By: Perspectives of Refugees pt. I « Water Wellness on October 1, 2010
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[…] Perspectives of Poverty Posted by: dmcnicholl | April 5, 2011 […]
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[…] that the rest of the story should be told as well.” He began a photography project called Perspectives of Poverty to highlight the disparity between the stereotypical “charity” photo of a person, and […]
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[…] Without Dignity counter-campaign. Duncan writes for the blog Water Wellness and initiated the Perspectives of Poverty […]
By: Development Without Dignity | Fragile States dot com on June 7, 2011
at 12:20 pm
I think what you are doing is beneficial. In some of my previous college classes we discussed some of the same ethical concerns that you have brought up in your blog. It is a shame that often stereotypes about Africa are continuously reinforced, because some people that more money will be donated. At what cost are people selling a one dimensional image that educate people to perceive life in such a narrow way, especially about Africa.
By: Leisha on June 15, 2011
at 11:36 pm
Thanks for sharing your project with us. It’s amazing how the same person can be depicted so differently, depending on the context of the photo. Is there a place where we can find all of your photo projects in one location?
By: johnrougeux on June 24, 2011
at 12:56 pm
[…] Perspectives of Poverty Posted by: dmcnicholl | September 24, 2011 […]
By: The Death of a Camera « Water Wellness on September 24, 2011
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[…] Perspectives of Poverty Posted by: dmcnicholl | December 1, 2011 […]
By: Bwana Somba « Water Wellness on December 1, 2011
at 6:34 pm