IN/VISIBLEREUNION OF TWO WORLDS

IN/VISIBLEREUNION OF TWO WORLDS

CONTENTS

9 THE HUMAN EYE

11 VISUALLY IMPAIRED

13 PHOTOGRAPHY

15 PARTICIPATORY PHOTOGRAPHY

16 IN/VISIBLE

20 DARKROOM

30 ROZELLE BALANGUE

34 ALFREDO DE GUZMAN

38 ALNIEWIN LOAYON

42 ROBYANN MANLULU

44 IRENE MATIAS

46 EBENCHITO PABIA

50 MICHAEL RAYMUNDO

54 PIA RESURRECION

60 ALEX SORIANO

66 SENSORY PHOTOGRAPHY

CONTENTS

My task is the reunion of the visible and to pervert the established amongst those who see - EVGEN BAVCAR

the invisible worlds, photography allows memethod of perceptionand those who don’t.

BLIND PHOTOGRAPHER

8 IN/VISIBLE

THE HUMAN EYE

The human eye is one of the f ive basic human senses and

is considered the most useful and most impor tant by most

people. This is because the eye is the main receiver of

information from the external environment and together with

the brain, they provide the human being with the faculty of

vision or the ability to perceive everything in his surroundings.

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10 IN/VISIBLE

Vision is an essential par t of an individual’s

everyday l i fe – in learning, communicating, interacting and

expressing one’s self. Yet, according to a recent study

conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), there

are now 285 mil l ion visually impaired people, 246 mil l ion

of whom have low vision while 39 mil l ion are already blind.

These individuals face challenges af fecting not only their

basic existence but also their capacity and desire to

engage in other visual-related activit ies as means of

communication and creative expression. For tunately, with

the advancement of technology nowadays, exper ts have been

continuously manufacturing products that help develop and

enhance the communication skills of those visually impaired.

VISUALLY IMPAIRED

IN/VISIBLE 11

12 IN/VISIBLE

One area that has been benefitt ing from this

technological progress is photography. It is both a science and

an ar t of capturing and producing sti l l images. The essential

elements of photography are the camera, a subject

of choice and more impor tantly, the image-maker or

photographer who chooses the subject to be photographed.

Photography is a process used not only in the

f ields of science and technology, business and

adver tising, broadcasting and f i lm industry,

but also as a means of ar tistic expression.

PHOTOGRAPHY

IN/VISIBLE 13

THE HUMAN EYE

14 IN/VISIBLE

THE HUMAN EYE

In the early 1990’s, Dr. Caroline Wang developed

“photovoice,” a creative approach to par ticipatory

action research which uti l izes photography as a process in

educating cer tain physically-challenged and/

or deprived groups of people in the society.

Par ticipatory photography allows these par ticular

people to create and capture images that

would show the points-of-view of their current

situation. It is a combination of photography,

self-development, creative expression and grassroots

social action1. This is considered a new way of

documentary photography where the photographer or the

facilitator gets involved more deeply into its chosen subjects.

PARTICIPATORY PHOTOGRAPHY

1 “Participatory Photography.” Flashpoint Labs. Wordpress - Flashpoint Labs. Web. 22 Oct 2012.<http://www.flashpointlabs.org/participatory-photography/>

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This thesis project aims to prove that photography can

play a signif icant role in the l ives of the visually impaired,

par ticularly in their abil ity to communicate and express

their individual creativity. This wil l help build awareness

among the sighted community and more specif ically, the

organizations/schools/institutions for the blind that have

yet to discover the usefulness of par ticipatory photography

in their ef for ts to rehabil itate visual impaired individuals.

IN/VISIBLE

16 IN/VISIBLE

IN/VISIBLE 17

DARKROOMPHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

WITH THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED

The Latin term camera obscura, which means “dark

chamber”, was the foundation of the development of

photography. Its improvement went on two dif ferent

roads but with the same objective – to project images.

The f irst development was the invention of por table box

devices intended for drawing purposes during

the 17th and 18th century. It then became as the

photographic camera in the beginning of the 19th century.

DARKROOM

20 IN/VISIBLE

The other use was the creation of the camera obscura room,

combining the principle of educating and

enter taining people. It was usually set in areas surrounded

by a vast of picturesque elements. Although the usage of

this is mainly for projecting rather than storing images, its

discovery was the stepping-stone to the great inventions of

the improvement of the usage of photography in our l ives.

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22 IN/VISIBLE

Hence, “Darkroom” was chosen as the name of IN/VISIBLE’s

photography workshop. It was conducted by a student

photographer, Carmela Balitaan alongside a photographer

enthusiast and concept ar tist, Christian Quinot who shared their

knowledge on the basics of capturing photos, to ten aspiring low vision

photographers from the Resources for the Blind, Inc. and My Refuge.

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VISIONARIESKNOW THEM BETTER

ROZELLE BALANGUE

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STACKNikon D60 - 38mm - 1/20sec - f/4.5

32 IN/VISIBLE

BLACK & ORANGE

ACHIEVEMENTNikon D60 - 18mm - 1/30sec - f/3.5

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ALFREDO DE GUZMAN

The workshop was really encouraging and opened my eyes for the possibility

of enjoying again my hobby on photography l ike when I was sti l l having my

full sight. Now having low vision is not a hindrance to pursue ones greatest

ambition in photography with the help of modern technology and

inventions in this f ield. Even blind people, I ’ve heard, can now shoot and

produce good photos. Although I know we can’t produce good or quality

photos l ike the ful ly sighted at f irst, with the enthusiasm, perseverance

and dedications as in other f ields we can achieve what we aim for the best.

For me, the workshop gave us, Visually Impaired, another hope in l i fe

to go on normally as others. It opened another oppor tunity for us.

And there are good people who help us and see these possibil it ies.

““

IN/VISIBLE 35

MIRRORNokia (device model 202)

TAMBAYNikon D3000 - 58mm - 1/160sec - f/5

36 IN/VISIBLE

ELLIPTICALNokia (device model 202)

CROSSINGNokia (device model 202)

IN/VISIBLE 37

ALNIEWIN LOAYON

IN/VISIBLE 39

LINYACanon EOS Kiss F - 55mm - 1/120sec - f/5.6

40 IN/VISIBLE

DETALYECanon EOS Kiss F - 55mm - 1/60sec - f/5.6

LINISCanon EOS Kiss F - 48mm - 1/20sec - f/5.6

IN/VISIBLE 41

ROBYANN MANLULU

TRI-COLOREDCanon EOS Kiss F - 18mm - 1/30sec - f/5.6

IN/VISIBLE 43

IRENE MATIAS

BANTAYNikon Coolpix L26 - 20mm - 1/100sec - f/6

I was so thri l led to be one of the chosen par ticipants in the

recently concluded “Photography Workshop for the Low Vision” at RBI

that was patiently facil itated/mentored by Ms. Melai Balitaan from U.P.

Dil iman for 4 consecutive Saturdays. All of my family members and

close friends were skeptical and cynical about the idea. Most l ikely, it

would turn out to be a series of vague images and visual hallucinations.

But I have proven them wrong. I never thought that us par tial ly sighted

individuals can sti l l capture vivid images with justice. Not only I have

realized that I can sti l l create a story through sti l l pictures but the most

impor tant thing is the seed of inspiration that Ms. Melai planted in our

hear ts that we can stil l enjoy now what we used to when we were stil l sighted.

“

“

IN/VISIBLE 45

EBENCHITO PABIA

For me, photography is an ar t of taking pictures and capturing

every precious moment in l i fe. It is l ike a t ime machine that

can bring us to the past and remember things l ike events,

happy or sad. Pictures also remind us of who we are and what were we

doing in the past years of our l ives. It is also an ar t of expressing

ourselves and showing to everyone the uniqueness of each individual.

When I heard about the activity about Learning Photography for low

vision by Ms. Melai, I am excited to learn and expect to learn new things

about photography. I was not disappointed because I learned lots of

things l ike proper settings of the DSLR, although sometimes I have

trouble using it, but its fun when you took a picture and you know that you’ve

got one good shot. Another lesson that we learn is the proper l ighting,

adjustment on zooms, and how the Vbackground also af fect your photos.

For us low vision, it is easy to look and set up a subject but it a bit dif f icult

on taking a shot on a subject because you need to concentrate and focus

so that you can create a picture perfect shot. Like for example when I’m

taking a picture of our dog, it ’s so dif f icult because the dog is always

moving around and it is intimidated when it sees a camera in front of it .

I really want to thank Ms. Melai, because it is the f irst t ime that people

with low vision l ike us have given the oppor tunity to learn photography

and it wil l be a great help in our organization especial ly when we’re

going to document our monthly activit ies the of f icer in charge of tak-

ing picture has an idea when or where to take a good shot. Even though

we have dif f icult ies seeing things, it is not a hindrance for us to ap-

preciate the world around us and appreciate ar t through photography.

““

IN/VISIBLE 47

GUIDENikon D3000 - 18mm - 1/20sec - f/3.5

REST & PLAYNikon D3000 - 18mm - 1/40sec - f/3.5

48 IN/VISIBLE

ZOOMNikon D3000 - 18mm - 1/160sec - f/5.6

KALARO

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MICHAEL RAYMUNDO

I would l ike to acknowledge Ms. Melai Balitaan with the help of

Mr. Cloud for their determination and hard work of teaching us

photography in the way we may understand it. They are really

helpful and eager to give their knowledge with regards in photography.

I , Michael, is so thankful that this workshop had conducted for a

person with low vision l ike me. It is an oppor tunity to learn new things and

apply it as the situation needs or even when I just l ike to get photographs.

I learned about the par ticipatory photography, the par ts of the DSLR

camera- its use, and, some techniques in photographic composition.

With this workshop, it hooks my interest in photography which unlike

before, I just captured photos as I want. When I entered in this workshop, I

star ted to like photography. I had a great experience together with my friends

and with our god teachers. I learned to handle the camera well without

shaking it. I experienced Indoor and outdoor shooting which is really fun.

I ’l l never forget what I learned and what I’d experienced in this workshop.

““

IN/VISIBLE 51

FRAME WITHIN A FRAMENikon D3000 - 30mm - 1/120sec - f/5.6

LEARNNikon D3000 - 18mm - 1/200sec - f/3.5

52 IN/VISIBLE

FOR LEASENikon D3000 - 270mm - 1/320sec - f/3.5

REMEMBERNikon D3000 - 18mm - 1/20sec - f/3.5

IN/VISIBLE 53

PIA RESURRECION

When I was a child, every t ime my parents said “say cheese”,

I wondered why they use the word cheese every t ime they took

photos. At the back of my mind, I was thinking if the cheese

would appear in the pictures? Why do we need to say “cheese”?

Before, I was the subject in the photos and I am enjoying being the

subject in the picture taking. I love and enjoying also to look at the photo

collections of our family and my friends. It reminds me of the memories

from the dif ferent events we had. I am interested in photo collection.

Every t ime they took photos using the old version of f i lm cameras, I

am dreaming to do the same. I want to take photos. But they don’t

believe that I may able to take photos because of my low vision. Some

are doubtful i f I may able to see and focus the subject. I was also

afraid and discouraged from that words plus the fact that the need to

maximize the use of every f i lm count in the camera was very impor tant.

“

IN/VISIBLE 55

I thought, having my personal digital camera is the at an

advantage for me. I thought my l itt le experiences are suff icient in

taking photos. Realizing that I don’t have enough knowledge and

training on how to take photos. How to have good and beautiful photos.

I felt sad and disadvantage because of my l imited vision, this wil l

hinder my dream to become a good photographer. That’s what

I thought every t ime I had blurred photos from my digital camera.

Every t ime I heard their complain that the photo that I took was not

clear and blurry. What I deed is to take twice every t ime I am taking

photos. Just to have choices on the results of the photos that I captured.

I am always searching on the internet and looking on the possible

digital camera with audio guide. I am always trying for the possibil -

ity of discovery new camera for the low vision in this modern era. I

never expect that there’s someone who wil l thought to render and de-

sign an informative workshop on photography for the low vision. I am

so privi leged to be one of the students in this photography workshop

under our mentor Ms. Carmela Balitaan of University of the Phil ippines.

The information and techniques she shared became very helpful for me

as person with low vision. In this 3 days workshop, I ’ve learned a lot of

things to consider in taking photos l ike the shutter, ISO and aper ture

and the other more. She though us on the proper ways in taking photo

using the DSLR camera. I really enjoy taking photos indoor and outdoor.

56 IN/VISIBLE

I ’d love most the photo “the angling of roof and the sky” In this photo,

I see lot of perspective in this photo. Before, I never expect that this

photo wil l appear nice. I thought that this is unpleasant to the viewer.

But when I tr ied to look at it , my attention got focus in to this wonderful

angle of the photo. When I’m taking this photo, at f irst I have doubt i f

I wil l choose that as my subject because I thought there’s no impor tant

sense from this subject. But I realized it’s wrong. That t ime, when I was

adjusting the DSLR camera I saw the beauty of this subject. I was convinced

already to consider this. “Yes, it ’s true. There’s beauty in this photo.”

Now, I believe that despite of my low vision, I can sti l l

produce beautiful photos. My l imited vision is not the hindrance

for me to become a good photographer. There’s something in my

photos that in the f irst t ime you look at it , maybe you can’t f ind

the beauty of it but i f you try to look deeper and explore more in

al l perspective, that’s the time you wil l feel the hear t of these

photos because my passion always shows in everything I love to do.

“

IN/VISIBLE 57

THE ANGLING OF ROOF AND SKYNikon D3000 - 18mm - 1/320sec - f/3.5

FIRE EXITNikon D3000 - 18mm - 1/200sec - f/3.5

58 IN/VISIBLE

BRAILLENikon D3000 - 50mm - 1/100sec - f/3.5

PALAMUTINikon D3000 - 18mm - 1/270sec - f/3.5

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ALEX SORIANO

IN/VISIBLE 61

TRIP TO JERUSALEMNikon D3000 - 60mm - 1/50sec - f/3.5

OPENEDNikon D3000 - 80mm - 1/120sec - f/3.5

62 IN/VISIBLE

VARIATIONSNikon D3000 - 30mm - 1/60sec - f/3.5

MR. SUNNikon D3000 - 150mm - 1/3200sec - f/7

IN/VISIBLE 63

SENSORYPHOTOGRAPHY

THE INSPIRATION

A UK-based international charity also known as PhotoVoice had

projects called “Beyond Sight” and “Sight Unseen” which gave

a much-detailed description as to how photography helps and

motivates the visually impaired. Sensory Photography is one of the

newest terms associated with photography where it highlights the

reasons why a person who does not have the capabil ity to see would

even desire to take photographs. PhotoVoice and the Blind With

Camera project mentioned f ive major purposes of Sensory Photography:

SENSORY PHOTOGRAPHY

1. They (visually impaired) want to get involved in the visual world;

2. They can take pictures using non-visual senses and cognitive skil ls;

3. Photographs/ar t can be made accessible to the visually impaired

in adaptive ways;

4. They communicate their “mental images” which would not be seen

by the sighted; and

5. It aims to challenge perceptions and inspire social change.

66 IN/VISIBLE

Beyond Sight star ted in 2007 in Mexico and the UK while

Sights Unseen workshops were established in 2009 in

London, Mexico and Beij ing and are continually making an

impression to both the sighted and unsighted community.

The Blind With Camera Project, star ted by Par tho Bhowmick in

Mumbai, India also extended its assistance to the visually

impaired globally by establishing an e-school called Blind With

Camera School of Photography. It is where the visually impaired

can learn photography, upload photos taken by them and

freely express themselves. The website of fers enough information

to suppor t their posit ion on the ef fectiveness of

their movement. One impor tant thing from the website is a

detailed description of t ips for trainers, from introducing

photography to the visually impaired to a complete

methodology and f inally a brief discussion on data analysis.

PhotoVoice’s website also of fers a 28-page, ful l

detailed procedure in teaching Sensory Photography.

IN/VISIBLE 67

IN ACTIONPHOTOS DURING THE

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

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Resources for the Blind, Inc.

Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines

Tel: +632 726-3021 to 24

Fax: +632 727-0077

Email: info@blind.org.ph

www.blind.org.ph