What's happened so far?

I met a bunch bunch of energetic people that got me all excited during the first lesson. Due to visual limitation, conventional theory on photography/composition does not apply for the students. So, I brought a lot a few equipments and shapes just to share with them different types of cameras, and basic concepts on photography. What's most exciting was in fact having 16 excited students and 3 volunteers to work this out together as a team.

The first was the best, a good start. I just collected their homework earlier this week and I can't wait to have them all processed then posted here later on.

At the end of the day, I know I've entered a world I didn't experience before with these bunch of people accepting me as their friend. I've learned how to read braille, blind golf and web technology for the blind. They just can't wait to share more and I'm keen to listen to what's next they'll tell me.

Information:
1. Refer to blind golfing experience at Mr Yam's MyBlindSight blog.
2.

My Inspiration

Read these and you'll know why:

1. Real Eye Openers

2. Interview with Blind Photographer Timothy O'brien

Progress update!

I've recently met a photography hobbyist with big heart. In fact, this encounter has motivated me to work harder to get this project evolved further. So, I've decided to select a few students as pioneers to set up a self-sustaining photography club in the association.

Other than that, a few kind hearted friends have approached me for help which I am very much grateful for. Other than having photography hobbyist volunteering for the classes, I would still look forward to monetary contribution to build a fund for getting a few cameras for the students.

Right now, my discussion with Moriazi has sparked a realization to an important factor - safety of the students for carrying huge SLR around. So, right now, the equipments will revert to prosumer camera or compact camera with manual functions so that their personal safety can be ensured during each photography outing or individual shooting trip.

Lastly, I'm meeting the students this coming Friday. There is no agenda planned yet, but what's in mind will be getting to know them better, their passion, interest, capability, uniqueness, vision level, inidividual characteristics, most importantly, names and more on their individual background.

I can't wait !

As of today

Project Beyond Sight received 10 students with overwhelming interest to learn photography. Godfrey, the Executive Director from MAB has been really helpful so far!

Anyway, what's in progress -
1. Finalizing instructor & lesson plan
2. Sponsorship on going

Let's make this happen!

Why am I doing this?

see /si/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [see]

verb, saw, seen, see⋅ing.–verb (used with object)

Seeing is to construct a mental image of a moment and visualize. It is to have the power of sight. It also allows living creatures to understand intellectually or spiritually and have insight. All these can be done by just everyone.

To see is not just to see with our bare eyes. Sighted human beings live by everyday with visual ability to interpret the the world through colors and physical outlines of an object. However, on those many days, there are so much minute details and beauty around these people that have been overlooked or ignored, then filtered away from the visual information captured by the brain. Is that how one's capability is to be abused to the extent where human beings are numbed by very simple touch of life?

This cause is my mission to provoke people to start seeing by really seeing what have not been noticed before, caring for those that a challenge to show care to, accepting what's not easily agreed by others, and acknowledging the effort of another being regardless of huge or small.

The project not only aims to encourage the visually impaired persons to live beyond their limits, it also envisions reminding the rest of the community to acknowledge the power of seeing beyond sight with their visual capability.

Is this going to be a tough journey? Yes. And I'll let you know how it goes through this blog platform.

Sponsorship

I'm currently looking for sponsorship or donation for items below:

• Fully working SLR prosumer camera/compact camera with manual functions to be donated to the students - I'm looking for 5 units from any manufacturer. But you will need to run through basic mechanics with me during hand-over.
• Film Negatives - Targeting 20 rolls of 36 frames. There's no minimum/maximum limit on the donation as the remainder will be distributed to the students for future use. Each contribution counts.
  
• Film development & printing service for the rolls produced after each class
• Printing service for exhibition - 8R or bigger for minimum 60 prints as some prints will be for charity sale. The number of exhibit is not finalized yet as it depends on the final work produced. Also, you can choose to sponsor for only exhibit prints or the charity sale prints.
• Most importantly, a photographer as trainer, who is passionate about the medium, what to explore beyond the obvious and most important should be ready to work with visually impaired. I would love to do this, but technically I'm not equipped with the knowledge and I want the students to have the best. It can be 1 workshop for each volunteer or all 3 depending on your availability.

If you're interested to getting involved via donation/volunteering or you know anyone that can assist, please email me (Jo) at projectbeyondsight@gmail.com or contact me at 012-4773370 to discuss this further.

Why/Who/What/How

Vision
Integration of sighted and visually impaired communities through photography

Mission
Project Beyond Sight aims to empower people with visual impairment, by providing them greater participation into society through photography involving all senses. The project also envisions providing extraordinary opportunities for visually impaired persons enabling them to explore activities as the sighted.

Objectives
* To create public awareness regarding the capabilities of persons with visual impairment.
* To provoke the common understanding of human vision and image composition.

Planned Activities
1. Photography Workshop

• Date: September 26, October 10 & 24.
• Workshop Structure:

3 Saturdays

1st Saturday 3 hours: 1-hour theory classes. 2 hours outing for practice in Brickfields. Take-home shooting assignment to be submitted back to MAB on October 3rd.

2nd Saturday: 2 hour for on outing. 1 hour sharing on previous class assignment.

3rd Saturday: Review of all prints & selection for exhibition. Preparation & setup by volunteers.

2. Photography Exhibition

• Date: 1 - 8 November 2009
• Objective

To raise fund by inviting donation at entrance and charity sale photography prints

To display photography works by visually impaired photographer to public

To empower visually impaired photographers to take stand on their photography works from different perspective

3. Preparation work and resources will be arranged to set up the exhibition