On World Photography Day, we share how photography has provided therapeutic benefit to cancer patients of all ages, helped increased self esteem and self confidence and stimulated emotions and intellect of the visually impaired.
Geetha Paniker, a breast cancer survivor, shares her views on how various forms of creating art, and even photography, can heal both the mind and the body.
I truly believe that photography is an incredibly powerful therapy to heal oneself. It is a passion that rejuvenates life and the meaning of life. The healing aspects of photography are amazing. I find that a fascinating fact about photography is that it can be approached from a million directions and can mean a million different things to different people. I enjoy taking photographs. (below)
"Have you ever stopped to think what photography means to you? What you really want to express with your images or reflect reality as closely as possible? Or do you just admire them?" These are a few questions I ask myself. And it really has a therapeutic effect on me.
Read more on Geetha Panicker's journey: Soothing your Body and Soul with Creative Art
Partho Bhowmick, a Mumbai based photographer, who started Blind With Camera to teach photography to the visually impaired and build capacity, has trained hundreds of blind people.
Photography workshop for the visually impaired – sounds like an intriguing paradox. How can a person who cannot see pursue an art that is essentially a stimulating interplay of vision and view?
Partho Bhowmick has a compelling answer: “Photography is not just about the eyes and eyesight. It is a rich and fascinating interplay of imagination and ingenuity, feelings and impressions. It is what the mind sees and perceives, not the eyes.”
"Learning photography and understanding touch and feel raised images brings about a positive psychological shift and behavioural changes in the blind. They learn about themselves, discover their hidden potential, stimulate their emotions and intellect, develop their personality and elevate their self-esteem and self-confidence. We have been successful in using photography by the blind as a tool for advocating equal rights for the visually impaired"
Pic below and the main pic above are by students of Partho
Curious? Read on: How I teach photography to the visually impaired
Rajen Nair, a freelance photojournalist and writer, teaches skills of photography to children with cancer to bring hope, optimism and laughter in their lives:
Cancer affected children find it difficult to express their trauma and pain they undergo from their long treatment of radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. They miss out on education because of extended hospitalization and therapy. Photography brings not only joy and fun into their lives but gives them new meaning and hope to live and fight cancer too. Many of the children who learn photography during their treatment return home and continue their new found passion. Photography helps them get closer to nature, exposes them to a new adventure and widens their circle of friends. Lack of education is also a worrying aspect, so in the long run I try to train these kids to become professional photographers. It makes them financially independent, secure and happy.
Read more about Rajen's initiative: Photography Lessons For Kids To Fight Cancer
