Seven or eight years ago – before I even had a notion I would become visually impaired – I decided to print and frame a few of my vacation photos for the local photography competition. I had so many pictures I figured it was time I did something with them.
The judges really messed me up that first year. I got a blue ribbon on my first try. That ensured I would spend a small fortune every year printing and framing photos in pursuit of a blue ribbon and the princely sum of $5 for the prize. (And the glory. Let us not forget the glory!) [Lin/Linda: yes, the glory from small-town America. Just sayin’. ::grin::]
Fast forward to now. I just had the competition. Out of three entries, there was one red ribbon and a $4 check. (Don’t forget the monetary reward.) I took the photos when we were in Ireland this spring. I was definitely visually impaired at the time. So, does that mean the visually impaired can compete and take photos as well as the sighted? I would say yes, and no. [If you’re a member of our Facebook group, I’ve set up an album with some of Sue’s photos.]
This year’s winner – a story in pictures.
The term visually impaired photographer is not as much an oxymoron as you would believe. There are visually impaired folks who are professional photographers and actually making a living at it. I will include some photography tips from them later, but first, I want to share some of my experiences.
I find I am noticing fewer “perfect moments” for me to record with my camera. I used to see possible photos seemingly everywhere. Often now, the moment is passed before I realize what I am looking at. I do better with things that are more static than fluid.
As we all know, contrast can be king. Looking for a sloth or howler monkeys in the trees in Costa Rica was fruitless for me. They blended in too well. I ended up giving the camera to the guides. That way I would have the photos to look at later. Seeing the animals on the screen was much easier.
Technology is our friend when it comes to photography. From the quality now available in digital cameras to the editing programs you can download in some cases for free on the web, photos that start out as duds can turn into near masterpieces. Another thing about digital photography? You can take a thousand photos for very little cost. Got two good ones? Score! Delete the other 998 and start again.
Tammy Ruggles, perhaps the best known of the legally blind photographers, uses this quantity in search of quality approach. She takes high contrast, black and white shots. Often her photos are of landscape or close ups of plants or horses. Maria Carter, the author of the 2015 Country Living article that is my source here also reported portraits are hard for Ruggles because with her then 20/400 vision she was not able to discern faces.
By
Tammy Ruggles
Hmmmm…high contrast and static subjects. Sounds like Ruggles and I have independently discovered a few truths about taking photos with lousy vision.
In a post on blind photography in an issue of Disability Horizons, Ruggles suggests choosing a camera carefully and getting someone to teach you how to use it. Next, it. Is good to learn the basics of photography such as the rule of thirds. Ruggles also suggests you think about what you want to accomplish with your work as well as investigate the technology that might be able to help you towards your goals.
There you go. Once more it might not be what it was or what you would like it to be. It might take a lot more work but continuing to take decent photos as a visually impaired person is possible. The wonders of the modern world are there to assist.
Have I said “this is the best time in history to be going blind” recently?