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My ‘Gotcha’ Moment: Tech and Blindness Misunderstandings
Mondays with decent weather mean one thing: a walk to my favorite local spot, BeanStalk Coffee on Main Street here in Norman, Oklahoma. I cut through the brisk wind, navigate the crosswalks with my cane tapping the way, and arrive around 8 AM feeling accomplished. I order my usual drip coffee (the barista kindly brews a fresh batch when it’s low), grab it when it’s ready, and head outside to a bench a few hundred feet away. Coffee in one hand, I settle in, pull out my iPhone, and start scrolling through Instagram the way I always do. That’s when it happened. A guy approaches, big smile on his face,…
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Is Film Dead or Thriving? Examining Current Trends
Like many of you, I vividly remember a time when film was the only game in town for photography, whether you were an amateur snapping family moments or a pro chasing assignments. Shooting on film meant deliberate choices: metering carefully, composing with intention, and accepting that every frame cost money and couldn’t be instantly reviewed. Then, in the mid-2000’s, digital cameras became viable options for amateurs and professionals alike. By the late 2000’s and early 2010’s, the shift was nearly complete. Digital offered instant feedback, virtually unlimited “film”, and far lower per-shot cost. During the COVID era (roughly 2020–2022), and something unexpected happened: film experienced a genuine resurgence. Stuck at…
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Common Blind Questions Answered: My Journey
What It’s Really Like to Be Blind: Honest Answers from Someone Living It Have you ever paused to truly wonder what life is like without sight? As someone that’s legally blind with five degrees of residual vision in my right eye, I’ve heard these questions countless times. I only became legally blind about a year ago, so I straddle both worlds: the sighted one I knew for most of my life and the blind one I’m navigating now. In this post, I’ll share straightforward, personal answers to the most common curiosities about blindness, drawing from my experiences and conversations with friends in the community. My goal? To dispel myths, highlight…
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Capturing Moments with Minolta’s 50mm f/1.4 Lens
I found a Minolta 7000i with a valuable 50mm f/1.4 lens for a low price, which I had to clean and equip with a new battery. After testing it with Kentmere 100 film, I was thrilled with the results, showcasing its quick focus and beautiful bokeh, enhancing my photography experience.
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A Shot in the Dark: Still Chasing Light as a Blind Photographer
Hi, I’m Jefferson Davis, I’m a photographer. It still feels a little absurd saying that out loud sometimes, like confessing a quirky habit at an awkward support group meeting. “Hi, my name is Jefferson, and I’m a blind guy who insists on taking pictures.” But here I am, more than five decades into this wild ride on planet Earth, still hauling cameras around and clicking shutters, even as my vision fades. It all started way back when I was just one day old. I contracted spinal meningitis in the hospital, a brutal infection that nearly ended my story before it really began. I survived, but the damage was done. It…
