The Dyslexic Photographer - Photography from a Three Demensional Perspective

I want to address an issue that often arises as an educator and photographer who has dyslexia. Let’s begin with what dyslexia actually is and is not. People who are dyslexic have a brain which learns and formulates in a very unique way. While commonly referred to as a reading disability, this is not completely accurate. Most people are not aware that it affects writing as well. The written form of dyslexia is ‘dysgraphia’ which means difficulty with writing.  Dyslexia affects an individual’s sequencing ability. This is essential in spelling, writing and math.

According to some specialists in this field, dyslexia is not a disorder but a unique way the brain formats. It actually permits us to see in three dimensions, rather than the two dimensions everyone else experiences. Writing and reading is not three dimensional, so this is where the challenge begins. Numbers and letters on a paper are two dimensional. If you take a letter and turn it upside down or on its side, that is what we experience as dyslexics. This makes reading and writing both an exercise in decoding and patience. Personally I never read an instruction manual for this reason; I learn by trial and error and through observation. For me blogging is a huge challenge and at times can be very frustrating. Proofreading is an even greater nightmare. Thanks to my wonderful volunteer editor/proof reader, Marcia Tanner, I have this part covered.

What does this have to do with photography you might ask? That is actually the good news. Dyslexic individuals are highly creative and poetic because we see the world from a very unique perspective. This usually makes dyslexics very creative individuals. Most dyslexics express themselves well verbally. I am told I fall into this group. This gift permits us to see the whole picture at once, and it makes the world a very colourful and multi- dimensional place. This is very beneficial for me as a Wildlife and Nature Conservation Photographer.

Writing is a challenge, while expressing intuitiveness, imagination, and creativity concepts is very natural. In photography dyslexia allows me to see the subject from multiple angles at once. We are fortunate to have a unique perspective of the world, and as such excel in many professions. We make gifted visionaries, photographers, movie makers, artists, craftsmen, counsellors, psychologists, teachers, musicians and athletes. This gift allows us to see beyond the small mundane points that many others get caught up in; we easily master the whole picture.

I have worked as a Program Coordinator, Group Leader, Workshop Facilitator and Team Leader and have written and published articles, training material, workshop material and my own Canadian Wildlife Education Series. My world is unique, vibrant and multi-dimensional and I am grateful to be able to see and share the bigger picture. 

Author Shelley Myke

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