Disposable Camera Technique

An observational research or (in more academic terms - ethnographic) technique involving distributing disposable cameras to research participants, asking them to record snapshots of their social groups using or interacting with specific products, services or classes of such.

As cheap disposable cameras became more available, and in many Asian cities as well, the Disposable Camera Technique has become more popular as a method of directly observing consumer behaviour. It can provide very useful data for graphic artists and commercial artists for example in illustrating product-in-use for advertisments. It can often draw attention to the different ways products are interacted with in differing cultures, target groups or situations.