SF0 / nuclearpolymer / Seeing Beyond Sight Photo Challenge

30 + 40 points

Seeing Beyond Sight Photo Challenge by rongo rongo

April 8th, 2007 10:57 AM

INSTRUCTIONS: Seeing Beyond Sight has partnered with SFZero to challenge you to see the world differently - with more than your eyes.

Welcome new users: SFZero is an ongoing game in which you can choose to participate (or not) after you do the Seeing Beyond Sight Challenge.

Click here for new user registration.

1. Blindfold yourself.
(wear shades or tape your eyes shut)

2. Go out in public and make your way in the world.
(go 1 block, 1 hour or 1 roll of film; go with a friend or alone; make up your own process)

3. Photograph things you notice. And, just notice.
(What do you notice differently about objects, people, actions, interactions?)

4. Embrace the whole experience as much as the picture taking.
(Engage. Have a conversation with people you encounter. Take it all in.)

5. Share your story.
(For each photograph write a caption about your experience - a few lines or several paragraphs if you want.)

6. Challenge some friends to do it.
(email them the link: sf0.org/seeingbeyondsight)

Please don't post all the pictures from your shoot, but chose 1 to 3 that are the best images or are most telling of your experience. Caption the photos describing something about your experience - that is as important as the image itself. Longer stories are welcomed and may be added to www.seeingbeyondsight.org.

If you depend on your eyes to get around, then it is hard not to use them. Although you can tell us about how difficult it is to be blind, focus more on what you noticed about the world as you embarked on this journey.

This experience isn’t about blindness – it is about seeing, noticing and paying attention with more than your eyes.

This challenge was inspired by SEEING BEYOND SIGHT: PHOTOGRAPHY BY BLIND TEENAGERS, a new book published by Chronicle Books.

I bicycled blindfolded from Lexington to Bedford (on the back of a tandem). [Public service announcement---if you are a bicycler and looking for volunteer work, you might check out whether local services for the blind are looking for sighted partners for tandem biking. It works well for people with other physical or mental disabilities, too.]

Although I've been on this route many times, it's definitely different riding without looking. The most identifiable by sound landmark is the Rt 128 overpass, with the loud buzz of cars beneath you. I also heard church bells, in-line skaters, birds, other bicyclists, and dog walkers. Since it was in the 40's today, the path was nearly empty compared to what it's like in the summer. The most identifiable by smell landmark is the municipal composting facility.

Blindfolded, I also felt more of the non-verbal communications through the pedals from my husband (who was steering the bike). Tandeming is a little like ballroom dancing with a non-verbal lead/follow dynamic. Even when you're not blindfolded, the person in back can't see in front at all, and can't steer or brake. But, you can have your hands free to signal turns, twist backwards to see behind you, and watch the scenery pass along the sides.

I wasn't able to photograph passers-by or wildlife very accurately, because by the time I heard something and took a photo, the noise makers weren't there anymore. I was able to get some pictures of the friends that were bicycling along with me.

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pedaling.jpg