rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Jim, I'm very sorry to read about your physical shortcoming and even more so regarding the accident. I wear glasses, but the issue corrected isn't a severe one.

If you'd like a bit of inspiration, google

blind photographers

I read an article regarding blind photographers some time ago. The work they produced was very visually interesting. Some of the photographers are legally blind whereas some are totally blind. Yet, they have a common interest in photography. You may find them, as I did, interesting and inspirational.
--Bob

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Jim ... I was in an accident in my 20s ... fell from a balcony ... almost lost my left eye. The doctor gave me a choice - do nothing, and lose the sight in my left eye, or allow him to do a fairly risky surgery, which might have cost me my life, but, if it was successful, my eyesight would be restored. I elected for the surgery, and, shortly after ... I had sinus trouble, which caused the left side of my face to blow up, bigger than a balloon - because it was still a sensitive area from the surgery. Luckily, after treatment, the swelling went down, and I've had no such trouble, since. ... Several years ago, now, I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. Last week, I woke up, to a twitching and acute pain over my left eye (and to the left of it) and I realized I'd not taken my shot, the day, before - as I usually do - once per week. Diabetes attacks those areas of your body where you are most vulnerable - eye injuries, broken bones (fingers, arms, legs, toes) ... so it is very important to take your meds regularly, and as prescribed. ... I am not sure, if this impairment has affected my photography ... I hope it hasn't ... but, I recently discovered the images I've shot with IBIS cameras (Sony alpha SLT series, Pentax DSLRs) have appeared noticeably better in the screensavers, than those RECENT ones shot with Nikons or Canons - which rely on stabilization built into the lenses. If you've noticed a recent marked difference in the quality of your work, too, Jim - you might want to look at that, too. Some have taken the OLY / PANNY route - which not only incorporates IBIS, but also - since they are smaller 4/3 MILCs - they are much lighter, too .... (71 now)

DJO

tjim-

I have have had poor eyesight since the day I was born. In the past few years it has gotten much worse; it can no longer be improved with glasses. I don't know the definition of impaired, but everything is overcast; I stumble, fall and knock things over. Don't get me wrong; I'm not complaining; I know that I have had more good fortune in my life than one person should even ask for.

Doctors tell me I have a "brain problem" (Gee, thanks for the diagnosis. Friends and relatives gave me that information free of charge). Apparently optic nerves are sending correct information to my brain, but my brain is getting it it mixed up.

I compensate for this, quite successfully, just as I have in the past. How? I only use manual focus lenses. Not once in my life have I made an exposure with my subject in focus. I press the shutter when the subject is "least blurry". That's right, LEAST BLURRY! Yea, I miss a couple of shots now and then. Other than that, my results are tack sharp.

Your life in photography is far from over. Trust me. With some practice you will be able to do this and do it well. In fact, most of the time you will be quicker than an AF lens. Much of the time, a lot quicker.

I wish you nothing but the best. Feel free to contact me at any time through a personal message.

DJO

I think that Chris T also has sound advice. I have considered dumping my beloved Nikon gear and switch to a Pentax DSLR and old school Pentax MF glass.

Best,
DJO

DJO

One other thing: seeing the world in large geometric shapes has given me an incredible command of composition.

tjim Loc: Far Northern California

REALLY appreciate the replies!!! There are so many similarities and great ideas.
I started going blind when I was 6. At the time my mother was a pro photog and I spent many, many hours with her in the darkroom. Using a loupe I got pretty good at developing for a while. As my sight faded I learned to kind focus the enlarger on the back of my hand with some success. Mom also got me a 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 speed graphic I could use a loupe on (I still have it after 60 years).
After several eye surgeries I had reasonable sight in one eye for awhile and got "spoiled". Funny when I think about it, being sight impaired in a Darkroom was fairly easy in those days but being SI in Lightroom is really hard🤥
Guess age has a lot to do with it.
Anyway, THANKS. Y'all are really inspiring me.

tjim Loc: Far Northern California

Awesome picture! I know what you mean about getting tired on PP.
Thanks.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Sure, Jim ... glad you're inspired by all the helpful messages ... thought my story might help ... if it's any further help - I also find PC Editors troublesome ... they make my damaged eye twitch all the more ... I think I'll just stick with my Sony SLTs and my K-50, from now on ... even stabilized lenses don't help, anymore ....

TGanner Loc: Haines, Alaska

My tale of "A photographer's loss of vision": https://timenspace.net/2017/07/16/retinal-detachment/

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

I've mentioned in past threads that I know a blind photographer in Sacramento who still takes remarkable photographs, most by sound. No, he isn't rich or famous, although one of his prints was used in an episode of NCIS about a blind photographer. But he has been featured is a few international publications, including a German magazine/TV show, for which one of my friends translated.

bengbeng Loc: Houston, Texas

Thank you so much for sharing this. I had a vitreous detachment at a relatively young age about 10 years ago and am obviously hoping to avoid the retinal tear /detachment for as long as possible. You story gives me an insight in to what is to come and fresh incentive to keep up with those checkups. Not being able to drive ( in Texas) would be so hard, although Uber or driverless might make even that possible in the future.

PH CIB

Have wet macular degeneration and floaters in both eyes and get shots in both eyes of the drug Lucentis,,,so far so good as vision is pretty good and caught it early noticed some distortion in the left eye and looked at the Amsler Chart and the lines were wavy went in right away to see the Doctor and started getting shots in my left eye,,,,a year later I noticed looking at the same subject with both eyes that the right eye rendered the subject slightly darker,,,and went right away to the Doctor and now shots in both eyes,,,by the way the Shots do not hurt at all as they deaden the tissue but it is weird to see the medicine swirling around in your eye as it is injected into your eye....am concerned about going blind if the shots ever fail to help,,,so far covered by Medicare,,,Wishing You all the Best Jim on your Eyes and your Photographic Journey....https://www.brightfocus.org/macular/news/amsler-grid-eye-test

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Thank you very much for the link to the Amsler Chart. My left eye, on which doctors have disagreed, shows obvious distortion. I will be contacting the VA Monday and requesting an appointment with an opthalmologist instead of my regular optometrist.

PH CIB

Wow, BHC sorry to hear about your left eye,,,,the Amsler Chart can be PDF downloaded to fit the full screen,,,the VA will probably pay for everything probably referring You outside the VA to a Retina Specialist,,,I went through the VA and I was concerned it was taking too long so I scheduled an appointment on my own at the Wolfe Eye Clinic in Des Moines and used Medicare to pay for it and have had excellent care there with the shots so far restoring my vision,,,if You have Private Insurance or are on Medicare please do not let the VA take their time on this,,, insist on an immediate appointment or if the VA cannot provide that,,, if you can see a Private Doctor,,,,Good Luck and Thanks for Serving our Country !!!

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

Obviously, you have a lot of company and from us empathy and sympathy. I, too, am visually impaired. My left eye is 5/200, which means the big E is all I can see. My right eye is 20/40 on bad days and 20/30 or 20/20 on good days — enough to pass the FAA physical for a private pilot license. LOL

The encouraging think for all of us is that we’re adaptable creatures to a degree, so all of us will adjust to the changes to some degree. I have had these vision problems for 71 of my 73 years, so my brain wiring has made depth perception normalized.

The best piece of advice is to be patient and easy on ourselves, for no matter how much we wish it were otherwise, we are still able to pick up a camera.