Blog Post Four: Presbyopia: Being a Photographer with Aging Eyes
Hey everyone. I wanted to blog about a common problem that people face on a day-to-day basis, especially those who are in the field of needing to have good vision to achieve creativity. Presbyopia! This is a Greek word that means “Old eye,” and being a photographer, it can be a challenging and rewarding profession, but it can also be difficult, especially when developing conditions like presbyopia, which makes it harder to review images in the viewfinder after taking shots, and to see the settings, lighting, and focusing. This can also be incredibly challenging when trying to do post-editing and ensuring that the images are seen how you want them to be seen. At one point, I almost made the decision to give up my photography, as I considered that without my proper eyesight, I would never achieve the images that I wanted to share, as I could not see what I was producing. This blog will discuss presbyopia, the daily difficulties that photographers and many others deal with, and suggestions on how to combat the vision quest.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional or work in the field of ophthalmology or medicine. This blog post is purely only on personal experiences and internet research.
Presbyopia is a condition where the eye's lens loses its ability to change shape and focus on nearby objects, making it complicated to read small print or do close-up tasks, such as threading a needle, tying shoelaces, or even looking at a smartphone. It is a normal part of the aging process and usually begins to occur in people around the age of 40. Presbyopia can be a hindrance to people because it can make it difficult to do daily activities and continue working in jobs that require close-up vision, such as those in the medical field or manufacturing. Additionally, people may experience headaches, eye strain, and other symptoms caused by the effort of trying to focus on close-up objects. However, Presbyopia may be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery (Mayo Clinic, 2021).
As a photographer, I've always had a passion for capturing the beauty of the world around me. However, I've developed presbyopia in recent years, making reviewing images on the camera's LCD screen or viewfinder difficult. This can make checking for proper focus, exposure, and composition harder, making it more difficult to catch mistakes or adjust. To overcome this challenge, like me, some photographers may need to use glasses or magnifying tools to help them see the images more clearly. Most cameras have viewfinders with a diopter adjustment that can be customized so that you can focus the image within the viewfinder without needing contact lenses or eyeglasses (Vorenkamp, 2016).
Another challenge for presbyopia photographers is remembering to bring glasses when shooting. This can be a hassle, especially when traveling or working in remote locations, and can also be a source of anxiety as you don’t want to miss a shot. I have forgotten my glasses on a few occasions, and in some cases hiked for miles to get those perfect shots, went to look for my glasses, and realized that I did not bring them. The only thing I could do was to hope for the best, and also take auto-focus shots. I recommend always having a checklist so as not to leave anything behind. Lesson learned there.
I also found that post-editing can be challenging for photographers with presbyopia. Zooming in and out to check for focus and other details can be difficult and time-consuming, and adjusting can be overwhelming. This can make it harder to achieve the desired look and feel for an image and make it more challenging to ensure that it is seen how you want it to be.
Many well-known photographers have lousy eyesight but still manage to produce great images like Francesco Nacchia and Walter Rothwell who create extraordinary photos, and charm magazines and editorials around the world (Midcounty Post, N.D.). It's important to remember that presbyopia does not have to be a hindrance to creating images. With the right tools and techniques, photographers can continue to create beautiful work and share it with the world. And, by embracing the unique perspective that presbyopia can bring, photographers can create truly unique and meaningful photos.
Photographers, who are dealing with presbyopia can overcome the condition and use it to their advantage in several ways:
1. Use magnifying tools: Photographers can use magnifying tools such as a loupe or magnifying glasses to help them see their images more clearly on the camera's LCD screen or viewfinder. This can make checking for proper focus, exposure, and composition easier, making it less difficult to catch mistakes or adjust. A photographer could use a lighted handheld magnifier, a Smartphone like the iPhone or Samsung that come equipped with a magnifier, or even a multipurpose recognition or magnifying app.
2. There are high-powered reading glasses or smart glasses embedded with a camera that records and transmits footage to screens in the glasses (Marvasti, 2019).
3. Adapt to the condition: Photographers can learn to adapt to the condition by learning how to work with it. This can include learning to hold the camera at a distance that works for them and adjusting the camera settings to suit their needs.
4. Use post-processing software: Photographers can use post-processing software to adjust their images after taking the shot, like Adobe Photoshop. This can include cropping, adjusting exposure, and sharpening the image. This can help them achieve the desired look and feel for their images and make it easier to see the details of the image.
5. Share your experience: Photographers can share their experience with others and let them know they are not alone. They can share tips and tricks that they have learned to help others who are dealing with the same condition.
6. Future technology: Photographers can also look into the future technology advancements in camera manufacturing that cater to the needs of photographers with presbyopia. Cameras with adjustable viewfinders or built-in reading glasses could be a game-changer for photographers.
7. To make it better and less stressful, photographers can also consider taking breaks, resting their eyes, and having regular eye check-ups to ensure the condition is stable.
There is ample opportunity for camera manufacturers to develop products that cater to the needs of photographers with presbyopia; this could include advances in technology that make it easier to review images and adjust. For example, cameras with larger LCD screens or built-in magnification tools may become more common, which would make it easier for photographers to see their images more clearly. Cameras with adjustable viewfinders or built-in reading glasses could be a game-changer for photographers like me. There could also be more collaboration between camera manufacturers and eye-care professionals to create products that help photographers with presbyopia. Additionally, post-editing software may continue to improve, making it easier to zoom in and out and adjust without struggling with the details.
Despite these frustrations, I refuse to let presbyopia stop me from doing what I love. I've found ways to adapt and continue shooting and creating beautiful images. I've also found that my presbyopia gives me a unique perspective on the world, and I've captured images in a way I couldn't before, sometimes a bit blurrier, but the outcome is visually satisfying. Overall, being a photographer with presbyopia can be a challenge, but it is not impossible. With the right tools and techniques, it is possible to continue shooting and creating beautiful images and to continue sharing those images with the world. It's also important to share my personal experience and let others know they are not alone, and look towards future technology that could help us overcome our presbyopia's struggles, and allow us to continue to share the beauty we see with the world through our lenses.
If you have any suggestions or comments, please feel free to contact me, I would love to hear from you.
References:
Marvasti, A. M.D. (November 5, 2019). 15 Tools to Help you See: https://www.healthcentral.com/slideshow/low-vision-tools-and-products
May Clinic (November 20, 2021). Presbyopia: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/presbyopia/symptoms-causes/syc-20363328#:~:text=Presbyopia%20is%20the%20gradual%20loss,worsen%20until%20around%20age%2065.
Midcounty Post (N.D.) Photography For People With Poor Eyesight And Vision Problems: https://www.themidcountypost.com/photography-for-people-with-poor-eyesight-and-vision-problems/
Vorenkamp, T. July 18, 2016. Calibrating the Diopter of Your Camera: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/calibrating-the-diopter-of-your-camera
