“At the start, I kept wondering how a blind person
could learn photography. I thought it was impossible. But the person who
introduced me to it said it was possible. So, I agreed to do it.” Those were
the words of Taiwo Lawal, the first blind photographer in Nigeria, as she
narrates her story. For Taiwo, disability is never a barrier to one’s aspiration
and go in life. As she has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that there is
ability in disability.
Taiwo, 35, from Ondo State learnt trade of
photography three years ago and today she has become a professional on her job.
But how on earth can a blind person handles camera?. “If I want to take a
picture, I would go to where the person is, and feel his location; then I would
communicate with the person to sense the direction, as the sound of the person
tells me where he or she is’’.
Explaining how she is mastering the art of
photography, Taiwo said she has learnt a lot about the lens of a camera, the
view finder, LCD screen and so many parts of the camera. She also said she uses
her sense of hearing and touch to take pictures. ‘’If I want to take pictures
of nature, I first feel the object by touching it, then move back and take the
picture. When I touch a flower, for instance, I see the colors in my mind. I
can also tell if someone is happy or sad, because I know it would be reflected
in the picture’’.
Though Taiwo has gone over her challenges despite
her background; her mother was raped by a local man in their village in Ondo
State and has since ran away since the discovery that Taiwo and her twin sister
were born blind. In fact, it was predicted by the doctors then that the twins
had only six years to live. But today, Taiwo is not only living, but she is
also an inspiration to disables. But major issue now is that Taiwo still needs
support to equip herself with necessary training on her profession.
Read Taiwo Lawal’s full story here: http://www.punchng.com/feature/incredible-woman-story-of-nigerias-first-blind-photographer/
0 Comments