There are many misconceptions about vision loss, but none as pervasive as a life of complete darkness. We wanted to challenge this stigma by showcasing talented photographers who are blind or partially sighted from all across Canada. The Mind’s Eye, a recent photo exhibit by the CNIB, Canadian National Institute for the Blind, features the works of photographers living with vision loss.
Mark Nicol
On one level, photography is very much about problem solving. It’s one thing after the other: How do I coax a natural smile from a shy subject? My flash didn’t fire; I need to reach a difficult location for sun rise, how do I make it there on time?
My visual acuity is about a tenth of someone with normal sight. This presents extra challenges for me that most photographers don’t face – things such as not being able to see crucial exposure and focus information in my viewfinder, difficulty seeing expressions on people’s faces, transportation challenges and many others. These are all just an extra layer of problems that need solving and for the most part I have managed to either figure out or compensate for most of them.
As with general photography skills, these challenges were not met overnight and are inseparable from my overall development as a photographer. The journey has been and continues to be fantastic!
Mark Nicol
Mark Nicol
Mark Nicol
Dylan Johnson
What I try and capture with all my photographs is my emotion, genuine emotion. I love making people feel good about themselves and making them feel comfortable. Who people are is what really attracts me to portrait photography. Getting to know their story and who they are, that’s what inspires me and makes me the best photographer I can be for the person I’m photographing.
Being visually impaired is always a great conversation topic with my clients. They’re always intrigued about my story and how I became a photographer. I almost always get asked how I can be a photographer and be visually impaired, and I’m usually not sure how to answer this question because sometimes I’m not sure how I do it either. I just make it work.
Dylan Johnson
Amy Alsop
My camera and I are a team. I can see the vague image of what is before me, and my camera does the work bringing that image to life.
I started taking photos as a way to remember some of the great adventures I’ve had. It slowly morphed into something I enjoyed doing, because it became a challenge to me to capture that one image that sums up that time in my life.
Taking pictures of things was always easier because they don’t tend to move or shift like people do. I chose these photographs to show because they mark special times in my life.
Amy Alsop
Delluhle Renaud
As someone with a visual impairment, for me photography is an extension of my ability to see the world around me. Because one of the challenges I face is the inability to see people’s faces clearly (I use my peripheral vision for everything) I take pictures of people to capture the details of a person’s face and facial expressions.
Delluhle Renaud
Rose Sarkany
Being diagnosed at 16 with Usher’s Syndrome has taught me to look, feel, and create. I have always been interested in photography since I got my first camera at the age of 13 (I’m now 50). I am an artist, athlete, advocate, and CNIB peer counsellor. I enjoy challenges and do not let Usher’s Syndrome define me.
As a photographer, I experiment with shades, texture and composition. I would rather express beauty in my arts. “My horizon is broader than my tunnel vision.”
Rose Sarkany