Caroline Scarles

Moving beyond existing visuals methodologies of content, discourse and semiological analyses, this paper suggests visuals become tools for exploring and sharing the embodied, sensual and emotional visualities of the practices and processes of the tourist experience. Where words fail, visuals open spaces of understanding; transcending the limitations of verbal discourse and opening spaces for creativity and appreciation, reflection and comprehension as both researcher and respondent move to explore the intricate performances through which knowledge and encounters of self and other are enlivened through actions, habits and practices that create the need for their being emerge. This paper explores the ways in which such appreciation emerges through inter-subjective negotiation as visuals mobilise an enriched research space within which previously ‘hidden’ spaces emerge through stimulating creativity and deepening connection through mutual appreciation between researcher and participants.

Caroline: “…and yet the emotions and feelings and messages

Angela: it’s quite incredible isn’t it…and this is when it becomes very, very personal. I mean its different for you because you have been there but if someone else was flicking through these they would see a bit of sand, a bit of rock and a little hut…and it doesn’t mean anything at all…”