Think Photography

“Don’t be Camera Shy!"

On a previous Inclusive Adventures trip with my friend Achala, I happened to take a video of him as he walked down a path through the forest. I did this because he asked me to capture the moment.

And sure, I may be blind, but I’ve always enjoyed taking photos, so I thought - why not? Surely I can try a video?

And while I know that using a camera isn’t something that many blind people are known for, I like giving things a go. And I have learnt to use the sound to guide me. And on top of that, if someone tells me where they’ll be coming from, say, between my 11 and 1 o’clock position, I can easily line up the shot for them. And sure, it is not always straight or balanced, but heck, it doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be in line enough to capture the moment.

And as I lined up my camera that day, Achala reminded me that even a five-second clip is better than nothing. And he told me something else that stayed with me too - that spending time with me has shown him that you don’t have to do things the “normal” way and that you can step outside the box and throw perfection out the window.

And on that trip, I took two videos of him so he could have a memory of the moment, which he loved - so much so, that he later shared one of them online with his friends - without ever mentioning that it was filmed by a blind man. And to my delight and surprise he got such positive feedback for it, and that video was liked and loved by so many people. And not one of them knew that I had filmed it.

And that’s the best part - no one needed to know.

Because the video stood out on its own.

And I am only mentioning this today to encourage other blind and differently abled people to get out there and stop holding back just because you have certain physical limitations.

Because it’s not about being perfect, it’s simply about trying!

I used to think that photography would be hard too, and I definitely thought that filming videos would be even harder - but seriously, there is so much support out there these days. And with my smartphone that talks to me, I can just aim and click – and so can you! And that’s the thing, once you give yourself permission to try, you start discovering just how much is possible!

And that list is endless.

You’ve just got to get past the idea that you have to do things like everybody else. Because you most definitely do not!

And a photo or video doesn’t have to be flawless to be meaningful.

It just has to hold a feeling, a sound, and a slice of that time that mattered to you.

And that’s what I’ve come to love about capturing moments – so, whether it’s a shaky clip of a friend laughing in the bush, or a photo that’s a little off-centre but full of life, these aren’t just images, they’re memories and my way of sharing with others and being a part of it all.

And for me, that’s powerful. Because when you live with a disability, it’s easy to feel like you’re on the sidelines. But picking up a camera (or a phone!) lets you step into the frame in your own way. It’s a way to participate, to contribute and to connect.

So, if you’ve ever felt uncertain or thought, “maybe that’s not for me,” I hope this gives you a little nudge.

Try it. Play with it. And let go of the idea that you need to get it right. You might be surprised by what you can create, and by how much joy it brings - not just to others, but to you!

Because in the end, it’s not about seeing perfectly. It’s about showing up, being present, and sharing the world as you experience it. And that, in itself, is a beautiful thing.

❤️