Since learning about my eye problem, I have wondered about photography's role for people with visual impairment. There are schools that teach photography to people with vision problems and some of the work produced by these students is quite good. Back in the old days of chemical/film based photography, even blind people found jobs in the industry - mostly in film and x-ray processing where working in total darkness is a requirement.

Almost all of those jobs are gone now because of the digital revolution. With cameras that are autofocus and auto exposure, visual impairment really only limits these photographers to solving compositional challenges.

I want to offer a challenge to photographers - try taking some images where you deliberately obstruct your normal vision by 75% - either by wearing plastic eyewear smeared with vasline or partially obstructed by paint - something that will make it difficult to see through. Do not manipulate your photos with Photoshop. Send me an image by e-mail (125dpi jpeg) by July 1st. I will select the top ten images and post them here. I will send $25 to the photographer who takes the most interesting image in my judgement. I want to know how you "impaired" your eyesight for the assignment.

My e-mail is Harker@Harkerphotography.com; be sure to send me your address so I can mail you a money order for $25 if I should pick your image!

To see some photographs done by impaired individuals, google "Photos by Blind Photographers+Time magazine".

Cheers!

Michael

I found out yesterday that I had a medical problem with my left eye occur during cataract surgery on March 6th. I had a Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion which is called a "mini stroke" in one of the small arteries in my central vision. I have lost almost all of my central vision and will never regain it, because part of the retina died from the loss of blood flow.

As a photographer, this means I must keep my vision in my right eye or loose my career. Fortunately, I am right eye dominant and still have peripheral vision in the left eye, allowing me to actually function at normal capacity. I just can't read or recognize faces with the left eye.

If you have never had your eyes examined by an ophthamologist, I highly recommend you do so. During the eleven and a half years I worked as an ophthalmic photographer I photographed hundreds of Branch Retina Artery Occlusions and so I know exactly what this sudden and irreversable condition looks like and what it means for the person experiencing it.

You might ask, how does a photographer deal with the emotional impact of the reality of it happening? In my case, I plan to continue working and hope I keep my sight in the right eye. I have to live with reduced vision in any circumstance, so I believe in looking ahead and keeping a positive and optimistic attitude.