Guidelines for using video to document plant practices

Abstract

Video has been identified as a valuable tool in the provision of ethnobotanical data. One of the principal uses of video in ethnobotanical research is in documenting plant practices. The main benefit of using video to record this type of ethnobotanical data is the ability to record the practice in its entirety. Another benefit is the ability for the footage to be revisited at a later date, allowing for further interpretation of the plant practice. Along with the benefits, there are also ethical and practical considerations when applying video as a documenting tool. This paper outlines some of these considerations while providing guidelines on the pre-production, production and post-production stages of video creation with a focus on documenting plant practices. Taking into consideration these benefits and the practical implications of applying video it is suggested that video be considered a valuable tool in documenting ethnobotanical research.