It is hard to find images of developing world countries taken by indigenous photographers. Much of our understanding of the entire continent of Africa is derived from a foreign perspective. What are the advantages of a local photographer telling local stories, do they produce an alternative representation and is it right that places should be imaged by the people that live there? Is the ownership of digital image banks akin to a new form of colonialism, allowing the control of a countries image to be dictated by market forces outside?

This research question considers the concept and ethics of fairly traded photography and the methodology of the organisations that are seeking to promote it. It argues that finding an alternative perspective is rarer than presumed and that the use of indigenous photographers does not necessarily engender a more accurate understanding of place to a foreign audience.

This picture was shot on a farm in England but can you tell anything is strange? The women are not English but Polish migrant workers. A local photographer could recognise this but it is unlikely a visiting foreign photographer would make the connection.
Photograph: Simon Kirwan, UK (the student was given just one day to take the image)