Blind photographer Tara Miller wins national photo award

[Carolina Photo Guy]

There is so much that I want to say to Ms Miller, but I will take the high road and just say this.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

I pity you.

 

[jdeg]

Well that's interesting.

Tara, I'm sorry you feel the need to defend yourself. I completely understand why, but like Anthony said, I don't think anyone here was trying to discredit you. The first question most people have is 'how?', which the articles do a mediocre job of describing. Maybe you can shed some light on what went into capturing and editing the photo?

That said I think your work is pretty incredible and inspirational. You should be applauded.

 

[Browncoat]

And just in case anyone is wondering about the "how", I have an answer for that too. Read this.

Miller said she works in conjunction with her husband, who is also a photographer, and she tethers her Nikon D300 camera to a 27-inch monitor that she carries around. Blowing up the photographs to 200 per cent, Miller is able to tell if she has a good shot and if it’s in focus.

This should satisfy the curiosity of some, while putting the final nail in the coffin about who is (or is this case, isn't) acknowledged in assisting Ms. Miller. It should also confirm the "legal blindness" issue of 20/200 vision.

 

[Rick M]

Mrs. Miller-

It's ashame that you feel the need to bash strangers that actually compliment you. It's unfortunate that you have to constantly imply that your work is superior than others. These are not traits of a professional. Obviously you have assistance, thats all that was questioned. You do have my pity, but not for your lack of vision. You may find someday that your lack of integrity is a far greater handicap.

 

[cjtm]

So much negativity, so much jealousy it is so funny how you assume that it is Tara responding to you. She has no time to respond to you she is to busy inspiring others. To discredit someone for their accomplishments to make your selves feel better that is truly sad. Tara has always said the contest was about educating people on vision loss something very close to her heart since she goes through it on a daily basis. I stand by my wife like any good husband should if you want to bash me for getting emotionally involved then I welcome it. The fact is Tara did not seek attention from the media, the media called on her, we are professional photographers we don't have publicists or agents or have the ability to sign off on a reporters story. If any of you are ever in Winnipeg we would love to take you out shooting and you can personally ask Tara any questions you want. Carolina Photo Guy to say Tara is selfish is just rude she is anything but that. True fact Tara does not drive I do.... what does that have to do with Tara capturing her own images, I will confirm with Tara some times when she asks if she is shooting a portrait for a client whether the eyes are in focus but this is nothing different then asking another photographer for their opinion. That's what makes you a better photographer is by seeking the opinion of others and then applying those changes. It is a good thing that Tara doesn't focus on the negatives from the skeptics because then she would just be a lonely person posting on forums to her cyber friends. Tara is successful because she has dedicated her time to here craft she has well over 3000 hours of technical training and then she has to take that education and adapt that to they way that she can use it. Tara takes the extra time to be ready for her shoots and she takes the same professional approach with her own personal photography. She uses a tripod, she uses a light meter, she uses a grey card and she uses filters if needed with every photo shoot she does. She has committed herself to her craft. I get lazy and try to cut corners some times just like others and it shows in my work when I do, with Tara's images she doesn't sway from the formula that works for her. One of Tara's favorite video series is from Dean Collins and she will not just watch it but she will then apply what she learned. So now you see this the story that only photographers are interested in hearing the news paper doesn't have the time to break the facts down and restate it in a 200 word column so they just put out juicy teasers. If you have any questions send Tara an email personally she is not a selfish hating monster as she is made out to be by some people on this forum, ask her a question and she has no problem responding even to the negative. Of course Tara wants to excel with her photography otherwise she wouldn't have dedicated the time and she deserves every accolade that she gets. Look past the headlines and google Canada AM and watch the interview that she did. Tara captured an amazing image, the media was intrigued because she is legally blind and then once they talked to her the image was just filler because the real story was how Tara's limited vision wasn't going to stand in the way of her determination and passion. Tara has being asked to do speaking tours not about her image but to motivate others to do something in their lives that makes them feel good and not to let anyone tell them they can't do something. Tara is not the first and won't be the last person that does something that by logical sense says they shouldn't be doing. That is what makes people like Tara so special she has the dedication to over come the odds and by doing that she inspires others. In closing if want what to bash some one I am a big boy I can take it and I will stand by my wife till the day I die. So before you think the cats out of the bag make sure you attack the right Cat. Thanks for letting me Rant Jeff Miller (Tara's Husband)

 

[Browncoat]

There was a 50/50 shot that it was either Tara or her husband. But the point remains. The only on on the "attack" here is you, sir. You have made a complete ass of yourself, your wife, and your business for the entire world to see.

Perhaps Tara is an inspiration to some. But you make it sound as if she is some kind of crusader and you are her scribe, bellowing tall tales and spinning yarns at the local taverns along the way. Instead of simply answering questions by being a good husband and business partner, you have chosen to destroy your credibility and earned the right to be stripped of the word "professional". In the future, let Tara do her own PR work because you're not very good at it.

This thread is now officially closed, as nothing more can be gained from it. It's impossible to have an open discussion with a yammering idiot.

 

[ohkphoto]

To discredit someone for their accomplishments to make your selves feel better that is truly sad.

I am going to make this very short because you evidently are too emotionally distraught to be objective about anything that is posted here.

1. No one here has discredited Tara in any way. The same, however, can not be said about you.

2. You did more damage to Tara's reputation by your unfounded rantings and not admitting your connection to Tara. You could have shared a little bit of Tara's story with us from a husband's perspective in a civil way and you would have found support and empathy from us here. Instead, you chose to misread, misrepresent, and basically "fly off the handle" over what you perceived and not what was stated.

3. You owe an apology to not only the people of this forum for your personal attacks and your misrepresentation, but also,to your wife. You have done more damage to her than any of us or any reporter or article could ever have done. But I suspect you know that since you still continue to rant .

I wish Tara all the success in the world and applaud her for her efforts.