Sight impared photographers: I 've been sight impared all my life. I've had 4 cornea transplants. But I've always loved photography. A few months ago I totally lost my best eye, which...

tjim Loc: Far Northern California

I 've been sight impared all my life. I've had 4 cornea transplants. But I've always loved photography. A few months ago I totally lost my best eye, which was 20/100, in a freak accident. I still one eye at 20/200 which still allows me to take pictures. The problem is that I'm in kind a photo funk. I've been told there are other photographers on this site who are sight impaired. It might sound kind of weird but I'm looking for others who might share stories and photos as inspiration
Thanks
Jim

nhastings Loc: Telluride, CO

Very sorry to hear about your sight. I recently had surgery for a detached retina in my right eye (dominant eye). Lost entire sight out of that eye but after the surgery it is coming back very slowly. Doctor said it would be months before I might have partial sight again but will never have full sight. Fortunately, my left eye is 20/15 so I can see. As photography is my passion, it has been a disappointment. However I am learning to take pictures using my left eye but the real bummer is working on the computer. It is difficult and I am playing around with different strength readers. Getting older sucks but can't do a damn thing about it. So, we adjust, go on with a smile and continue with our photographic passion. And share that passion with my friends on UHH. Best of luck and keep that smile going. Neil

tjim Loc: Far Northern California

Thanks. I know what you mean about the computer. In the past I was big in pp but the computer is really hard now to see and work. I use a tablet that is m7ch easier than the computer to see but is still hard to type on. Thanks.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

I was diagnosed with diabetes a few years ago (family trait). When my Mom died she was all but blind. That is my worst nightmare. My doctor and I keep a close eye (no pun intended) on my vision and there have been changes. At 64, I should have some time left. I can honestly say I hope the years catch up with me before the sight goes. I would hate to have to put the cameras away at this stage of my life.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

tjim wrote:

Thanks. I know what you mean about the computer. In the past I was big in pp but the computer is really hard now to see and work. I use a tablet that is m7ch easier than the computer to see but is still hard to type on. Thanks.

Sorry to read about your eyes. I was 20/100 at age 11. I have (or don't have, according to which doctor I see) macular degeneration in my left eye and a detached vitreous in my right (with floaters). Right now, I'm confused and a bit upset that the VA let's an OD do the work of an MD. I want the right eye repaired, but they insinuate that I'll die before regrowth is complete (I'm 76). After many years shooting film with MF, I just can't bring myself to put all my faith in AF. In addition, subject acquisition is a problem.

repleo Loc: Boston

tjim wrote:

I 've been sight impared all my life. I've had 4 c... (show quote)

Sorry to hear of your predicament. Your story invoked a 'there but for the grace of God' reaction in me. However, you are not alone. There would appear to be photographers in an even tougher situation. Google 'Blind Photographer" and you may be pleasantly surprised.
Here is one interesting link.
http://www.visualsummit.com/artists/18976/prospectus_sightunseen_2.pdf

Largobob

Retired CPO wrote:

I was diagnosed with diabetes a few years ago (family trait). When my Mom died she was all but blind. That is my worst nightmare. My doctor and I keep a close eye (no pun intended) on my vision and there have been changes. At 64, I should have some time left. I can honestly say I hope the years catch up with me before the sight goes. I would hate to have to put the cameras away at this stage of my life.

I have had poor eyesight since birth, and have been a Type II diabetic for over 20 years now. As you well know, the key to diabetic health is to keep your A1C (long term blood sugar) levels in control.....and have a dilated eye exam regularly. My eyesight (nearsightedness) has actually improved with age (I'm 70 now). My eye specialist also recommended that I take an "AREDS 2" supplement each day. Hang in there.

bengbeng Loc: Houston, Texas

I feel you too. Very poor vision in my good eye almost none in the other. I have all sorts of glasses for all sorts of things. One day I'll make a series of images that show the world as I see ( uncorrected ) perhaps you could too ?

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

I am a new member of your club. My dominant eye has developed a problem which makes straight lines bend or curve up and down (or left and right) and although my ability to read an eye chart is still very good, my two eyes refuse to show me a single image so much of the time I am seeing two images.

My legacy lenses on my a6500 have become a lot less useful because I struggle to focus them well, even with "peaking". My solutions are:

1. use autofocus and get familiar with the options for it that the camera offers,
2. try to learn to use the other eye in the viewfinder (very hard to do, for me).

I recently acquired a very good Minolta Reflex lens (500 mm F8) and had to spend even more money for an adapter that allows it to autofocus. My RX10m4 and my native e-mount lenses on my a6500 do AF very well.

But it's still a struggle. So is working on the computer which for me is fully half the photographer experience.

Sympathy!

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

tjim wrote:

I 've been sight impared all my life. I've had 4 c... (show quote)

Loss of vision because of macular degeneration is something I am still trying to learn to deal with. I have taken the approach that as long as I can see enough of a scene to point the camera in the right direction I will trust the camera to do it's job and just keep on taking pictures.
Post processing is difficult but still doable. What vision I have tires out fast so I have to work in spurts and jerks

But, giving in to it is not in my nature.
Beside having to deal with vision loss the next biggest photography hurdle is getting around, they wont let me drive anymore (no sense of humor) so keeping on my wife's good side is paramount.
This is a recent shot taken in rural PA (5 images stitched in PS)

(Download)

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

My eyesight degenerated to quite bad (I don't remember the numbers for each eye) by the time I was late teens/mid-twenties....I did shoot during that whole time but it was a struggle. Nearly stopped photography, never entirely, but much less. In my mid-to-late thirties I started having to reduce the magnification of glasses and contacts as my vision was heading back to 20/20 (or close), and by late forties no issues. I've been blessed with that outcome till now (late 60's), and vision is starting to slip again. Strange what the body does sometimes! Good luck in your situation, keep on trying!

bengbeng Loc: Houston, Texas

Creepy how I'm seeing Lasik Berkeley eye center adverts pop up in this thread now. Anyone else ?

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

bengbeng wrote:

Creepy how I'm seeing Lasik Berkeley eye center adverts pop up in this thread now. Anyone else ?

All the ad tracking is creepy!! My wife was looking at purses last week and I had purses popping up on here every time I came on the site!!!!

Wuligal Loc: Slippery Rock, Pa.

I know you have no choice tjim, but your courage is inspiring.

repleo Loc: Boston

olemikey wrote:

All the ad tracking is creepy!! My wife was looking at purses last week and I had purses popping up on here every time I came on the site!!!!

Too true!!! I sent my sister an e-mail about our Mother's will a while back and immediately I started getting pop-up sidebar adds for probate attorneys. 'Ambulance Chasers' in the digital world!!!