The Blind Photographer

[lordsux]

A member of this forum recently criticized me for my use of 'blind' people to express a point. It was in fact very clear that I was actually praising the 'blind' for being able to see things in different ways.

To me it was a clear expression of the fact that 'eyes only see want you want them see if your mind is not open'. Ironic really. This is after all a Photography and Arts forum, a place where the use of images and artifacts as a way of communicating are the reasons for it's existence.

Photography is about seeing things in different ways. Most have the gift of eyesight to assist them, too many abuse this gift. Among others, blind people are forced to 'see' things in different ways. I am among the 'others' but misfortune can sometimes be a blessing in disguise. For me it has been. Although not blind I was forced to see the world from different perspectives due to medical reasons.

Please take a look at this website The Blind Photographers I hope it can give inspiration to all.

Want a real challenge? Ever tried taking photos blindfolded? Then try it, it will open your eyes and really give you something to think about. If you do try, remember to start before you have even got your camera out.

You might even end up with some 'keepers'.

Disclaimer.

I cannot be held responsible for damages, accidents or hospital visits should you take up my challenge

Hopefully this post should clear up any further doubts about my comments about the blind. Most of the blind people in this world have perfect vision, but choose to abuse it. That is in itself the worst insult a sight blind person can ever receive.

Edited June 28, 2009 by lordsux

[jukapot]

I don't want to seem mean but these pictures are terrible. If the photographers could see they would probably agree with me.

It does help if I view the pictures blindfolded - then I can better understand the photographer's view point.

I can't believe these pictures really were put on exhibit - must be a scam here somewhere....

[lordsux]

It's not really about the quality of the resulting images.

[jukapot]

That's what I tell people about my pictures....

[phetaroi]

A member of this forum recently criticized me for my use of 'blind' people to express a point. It was in fact very clear that I was actually praising the 'blind' for being able to see things in different ways.

To me it was a clear expression of the fact that 'eyes only see want you want them see if your mind is not open'. Ironic really. This is after all a Photography and Arts forum, a place where the use of images and artifacts as a way of communicating are the reasons for it's existence.

Photography is about seeing things in different ways. Most have the gift of eyesight to assist them, too many abuse this gift. Among others, blind people are forced to 'see' things in different ways. I am among the 'others' but misfortune can sometimes be a blessing in disguise. For me it has been. Although not blind I was forced to see the world from different perspectives due to medical reasons.

Please take a look at this website The Blind Photographers I hope it can give inspiration to all.

Want a real challenge? Ever tried taking photos blindfolded? Then try it, it will open your eyes and really give you something to think about. If you do try, remember to start before you have even got your camera out.

You might even end up with some 'keepers'.

Disclaimer.

I cannot be held responsible for damages, accidents or hospital visits should you take up my challenge

Hopefully this post should clear up any further doubts about my comments about the blind. Most of the blind people in this world have perfect vision, but choose to abuse it. That is in itself the worst insult a sight blind person can ever receive.

What ever you think you're proving, I think you failed.

[lordsux]

What ever you think you're proving, I think you failed.

It's not there to prove anything......get what you want from it, if it doesn't say anything to you, then no need to say anything. Someone might get something from it, they don't have to say anything either.

Depends on how the individual sees things.

[BigSnake]

I don't want to seem mean but these pictures are terrible. If the photographers could see they would probably agree with me.

It does help if I view the pictures blindfolded - then I can better understand the photographer's view point.

I can't believe these pictures really were put on exhibit - must be a scam here somewhere....

You are not mean, just close minded, remember we are talking about blind people here."None are some blind as those who will not SEE"

[jukapot]

You could be right, maybe I am close minded. It seems to me to be utterly ridiculous to give a blind person a camera and encourage them to take pictures that would be acceptable under any standards. What comment would be flattering and proper to say ???? I haven't any yet read any. I am not making fun of the blind but rather the promoters of this exhibit. Why not be positive and stress what the blind can accomplish, rather than what they can not do.

I feel that purpose of these pictures is to make me feel sorry for the blind and say "there go I but for the grace of God." Yet many of these people have a degree of acceptance of their handicap that goes way beyond what I can understand. Many blind have been able to live happy and fruitful lives. I suspect that when someone like me comes along they say "There go I but for the grace of God". I am often the one they pity.

My original comments were not about blind people, but about people exploiting them. Blind people can not take pictures - why pretend they can? There must be other simple positive ways to prove your point, whatever that is. Photography is not one of them.

I am not insensitive to the handicapped and sick, for several years I worked as a volunteer at the local hospital working with the dying. I learned much from the patients, namely. Acceptance is the key to all my problems. Unfortunately I had to stop volunteering because of a handicap I developed.

[phetaroi]

You could be right, maybe I am close minded. It seems to me to be utterly ridiculous to give a blind person a camera and encourage them to take pictures that would be acceptable under any standards. What comment would be flattering and proper to say ???? I haven't any yet read any. I am not making fun of the blind but rather the promoters of this exhibit. Why not be positive and stress what the blind can accomplish, rather than what they can not do.

I feel that purpose of these pictures is to make me feel sorry for the blind and say "there go I but for the grace of God." Yet many of these people have a degree of acceptance of their handicap that goes way beyond what I can understand. Many blind have been able to live happy and fruitful lives. I suspect that when someone like me comes along they say "There go I but for the grace of God". I am often the one they pity.

My original comments were not about blind people, but about people exploiting them. Blind people can not take pictures - why pretend they can? There must be other simple positive ways to prove your point, whatever that is. Photography is not one of them.

I am not insensitive to the handicapped and sick, for several years I worked as a volunteer at the local hospital working with the dying. I learned much from the patients, namely. Acceptance is the key to all my problems. Unfortunately I had to stop volunteering because of a handicap I developed.

I agree with you. For me, the OP is misguided. I have worked with the handicapped for well over 30 years, and specifically been responsible for evaluating services for them for the last 26 years. We did not deal with many who were blind, although there were a few. But virtually every other handicap you can think of, including physical handicaps, emotional, and intelligence-related. We always emphasized the skills they did have, particularly those that could be used to get around their handicap. I wouldn't ask someone who is mentally retarded to spend too much time on nuclear physics.

I do give the OP credit for the attention he is giving these people, however. In my work setting I was one of the favorites of many of the handicapped students. In particular, the autistic students loved when I visited with them. When people would ask, "How do you do it?", my answer was simple -- "Those who need the most attention get the most attention. And, most appreciate it in their own way."