TITLE: The Blind Girl

I had been photographing for days in Mumbai, India. One morning I was walking without my camera and saw through some large gates a sign - 'School for the Blind'. I asked to speak to the Headmistress to see if I could photograph in the school. She gave me permission to photograph for 3 days. I then quietly photographed inside the school for 2 days.
It was towards the end of the 3rd day that I saw a beautiful girl walking down the stairs. It was her birthday and she was dressed in a beautiful white dress, her hair done and wearing pearls around her neck, I quickly positioned myself at the bottom of the stairs and took a photograph. It was then that I saw the girl had sensed something in front of her - she seemed slightly worried, puzzled. It was then I took one more photograph - my entry.
The girl (I never got her name) was a blind albino girl.
At the end of the 3rd day, the headmistress asked her to write me in brail, in Sanskrit, an Indian prayer for me.
I have this hung in my studio at home in pride of place.
What an amazing moment which I feel I captured.
The photograph is hand printed by myself, a silver gelatin print 10 x 8 Inches.
I named the girl Lakshimi - 'Goddess of Light'.
I have a 236MB File very high quality scan if needed.

AUTHOR: Richard O'Farrell (Australia)

Born in Sydney, Australia, Richard’s artistic endeavor began as a fine art photographer. Over a period spanning 45 years, Richard has produced many photographic exhibitions working with such mediums as Polaroid, 35mm to Large Format Film, Wet plate, Digital formats accompanied with fine art hand printing. His subject manner ranges from simplistic landscapes to intimate portraiture work.
Richard has had numerous group and solo exhibitions in Australia.