Theme 5: Photo Elicitation
Introduction
When conducting an interview, introducing photographs can be advantageous to the process (Tinkler 2013:173). This is a result of the interviewee feeling less bombarded and challenged by a large amount of questions. Photographs assist in communication strategies and encourage meaningful conversations (Tinkler 2013:174). The interviewee and interviewer share a common goal to stimulate signification and identify outlooks and alternative views which are derived from the photograph, which constructs an understanding between them. A photograph is a personal approach to communication and stirs up memories and feelings, which assists the interviewee to generate and express individual opinions with less difficulty.
The tree as a narrative of service 
Figure 1: A benevolent pine cone tree at Bracken High school
Trees generously assist our society by supplying filtered fresh air and appreciated shade (Dean 2015: 162). When I was in high school, there was a row of trees that surrounded the outskirts of our school. After a long and strenuous hockey practice, the team would gather under the pine cone trees to cool down, socialise and relax. We did not realise at the time that these trees played a crucial role in the team building process. Today these trees signify a sisterhood that was built and a bond that is shared between a group of people.
The tree as a narrative of power and status
Figure 2: Easter Red Cedar trees of Alberton
Mankind has ‘domesticated’ and ‘disciplined’ trees to affirm human authority over nature (Dean 2015:163). In the suburban area of Alberton, the backyards contain crafted, well-trimmed Eastern Red Cedar trees. These trees are a symbol of affluence and clearly show mans dominance over nature.
The tree as a narrative of heritage 
Figure 3: The Sunland Baobab tree which houses a bar in Modjadjiskloof
Trees act as historical and notable sights (Dean 2015:164). The Baobab tree has played an extraordinary cultural , spiritual and medicinal purpose in Africa. This particular Baobab tree, the Sunland ‘Big Baobab’, resides in Modjadjiskloof in Limpopo Province, South Africa and is recognised worldwide for being the widest of its species in the world. Africa is symbolised by these remarkable trees and this Baobab tree in particular is carbon dated to over 1 700 years old and has made the front page of the Wall Street Journal.
The counter-narrative of the unruly tree
Figure 4: The Mulberry tree that grows in our backyard
This Mulberry tree’s branches and roots began to uproot the infrastructure of the walls of our house, breaking and tearing down the walls. One would think that the foundation and substance of the wall would hinder the growth of the tree however this tree is triumphant and has conquered man-made constructions symbolising it’s disregard toward human control.
Photo-elicitation
Interview 1: Sindy Chetty 
The tree as a narrative of service
Growing up as a young child on a farm in Kwazulu Natal, Sindy was surrounded by an abundance of different plantations. Her father cultivated litchis, bananas, sugarcane etc. This particular story focuses on the experiences she shared with the Litchi trees. The Litchi trees provided huge areas of shade all year round, which was beneficial because of the hot weather conditions in KwaZulu Natal.
On hot summer days when the labourers and the family worked in the plantations, these trees would provide valuable shade. In addition, these plantations produced the juiciest and most delicious litchis. Sindy explains how the additional income from selling these litchis was beneficial for the family especially since litchi season was during the festive season. Therefore, trees are also a service to the community, because they became a source of income. 
Figure 4: Sindy’s father cultivating litchis on the farm
The tree as a narrative of power and status 
Figure 5: The Jacaranda trees at the University of Pretoria
Sindy speaks about how the capital city of Pretoria is known as the Jacaranda City because of all the purple blossom-bedecked trees which line up the streets. However, the Jacaranda tree is not indigenous to South Africa and is an alien invasive species originating from parts of Central and South America. Jacaranda trees were introduced in South Africa in 1880 for ornamental and decorative purposes. These Jacarandas are a symbol of affluence and symbolise man’s power and control over nature.
The tree as a narrative of heritage
Figure 6: The pompom tree in Cape Town
Cindy recalls holidays in Cape town and how the pompom tree was a prevalent sight on the streets. The pompom tree is one of the most popular and adored indigenous trees, strong enough to be used as a street tree and small enough to be grown and maintained in most people’s gardens. During December, the tree looks like an enormous ball of pink candy floss, as the tree changes completely into a cloud pink balls. It is indigenous to the eastern part of South Africa where it grows on the borders of forests and forested hill slopes.
The counter-narrative of the unruly tree
Figure 7: A Milkwood tree
The milkwood is a short -growing, conifer tree. Milkwoods are found chiefly along the coast from the Cape Peninsula to northern Zululand. Sindy speaks about the White Milkwood tree and how the small, yellowy-green leaves emit an abnormal sour odour from January to July. She explains that when she used to walk past them, she would have to hold her breath because of the strong odour emitted.
Interview 2: Chris Chetty
Figure 8: The Bougenvilla tree
Th tree as a narrative of service
Chris Chetty grew up with a Bougenvilla tree in his backyard. This tree grew so tall that it’s height extended the roof of the house. He recalls memories of how he would climb this tree with his siblings in order to get onto the roof. He explains how this tree provided privacy for their family’s home and how this tree not only served him, but in addition supplied a protected, safe and secure habitat for the birds that would nest in the tree.
The tree as a narrative of power and status
Figure 9: The palm trees along the Durban sea front
Chris Chetty explains how palm trees along the coast of Durban became an affirmation of class and aristocracy. Many property owners on the coastal regions of Durban introduce palm trees because they feel they are an awe-inspiring feature which connote a ‘paradise lifestyle’ and will ultimately attract more hoilday-makers . These trees certainly connote wealth and are becoming more popular for their ornamental and decorative purposes.
The tree as a narrative of heritage 
Figure 10 : The Marula Tree
When questioned about a tree that symbolises South Africa’s heritage, Chris referred to the Marula tree. The fruits of the marula tree are used in the liqueur Amarula. Giraffes, rhinoceroses and elephants all feed off the marula tree. On a commercial level the fruit of the marula tree is harvested from the trees by members of rural communities on whose land the trees grow. The harvest and sale of fruit only occurs during two to three months but is a source of income to poor rural people.
In addition, the alcoholic distilled beverage (maroela mampoer) is made from the fruit and it is attributed in the stories of the South African writer Herman Charles Bosman. Therefore we can conclude that the marula tree is significant and prevalent in many South African cultures and it definitely is a symbol of South Africa’s heritage.
The counter-narrative of the unruly tree 
Figure 11: The “Spitting Oaks” of Gauteng
Chris explains how during the late summer and autumn period, the English Oak trees begin producing a sticky substance which drips onto cars, paving and patios where these trees occur. He explains how this becomes problematic when he goes out golfing at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club.
Interview 3: Tashlyn Chetty
The tree as a narrative of service
Tashlyn speaks about a mulberry tree that she would walk past on her way home from school. She explains how this tree awakens memories of her long walks home from school with her friends. She explains how this tree was situated half way between her school and her house and how it became a ‘halfway stop’ . This tree provided the juiciest mulberries that would provide her with energy before she would continue with her journey back home. She remembers walking home with sticky and stained red fingers from the amount of mulberries she would eat . Ultimately, this tree served as a memory in Tashlyn’s childhood.
The tree as a narrative of power and status
Tashlyn attends the University of Witwatersrand and mentions how the university spends a tremendous amount of money on the upkeep and maintenance of the gardens. During the season of Autumn, she noticed that every morning on her way to class, there would be gardeners using rakes and brooms to clear away the leaves that have fallen off the trees. This narrative illustrates how mankind feel the need to govern nature and and how at the sight of any forms of disorderliness such as fallen leaves, it has to be uncluttered and made orderly according to man’s vision.
The tree as a narrative of heritage
Figure 12: The Acacia Tree
Tashlyn mentions the Acacia tree being a distinctive part of South Africa’s heritage. These thorn trees are locally dominant and are an essential food source for herbivores. Acacias are shaped progressively by grazing animals of increasing height, such as gazelle, gerenuk and giraffe. Tashlyn explains that it is a beautiful sight watching so many animals feed off one tree. She feels that it symbolises some form of connectedness and unity in the veld that can be linked to the cultural pride of our nation.
The counter-narrative of the unruly tree
Tashlyn recalls the bulky and sturdy roots of a tree which uprooted parts of a local tennis court. This resulted in cracks and uneven surfaces which made it almost impossible to play tennis. Many of the player’s feet would get stuck and jammed in these cracks while playing which resulted in injuries such as sprained ankles.
Conclusion
Photographs assist the progress of dialogue when conducting an interview because there is an exchange of power from the interviewer to the interviewee, who is now empowered to make sense of and respond to something concrete that is presented to him/her. Photographs are an effective and strong instrument used to provoke experiences, emotions and memories, which generate more extensive reactions in comparison to a verbal interview.
Sources consulted
Dean, J. 2015. e unruly tree: stories from the archives, in Urban forests, trees,and greenspace: a political ecology perspective, edited by LA Sandberg, A Bardekji- an & S Butt. New York: Routledge:162-175.
Tinkler, P. 2013. Using photographs in social and historical research. London: SAGE.
Environmental Humanities 