Australia's Northern Territory

My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

Australia | Wednesday, January 9, 2013 | 5 photos

My name is Peta Phelan. I am a university educator and am passionate about teaching. I am also an artist and painter and have had numerous, successful exhibitions.

When I was 29 I started to progressively go blind due to a condition called Non-Age Related Macular Degeneration. I was devastated by the diagnosis, mostly because it meant that I would not be able paint and be creative like I loved to do. For my 30th birthday, my partner bought me a Canon 1000D DSLR to provide me a creative alternative, and I fell in love with photography instantaneously.

My condition is in remission, and fingers crossed I will retain enough eyesight long into my future to do those things I want to do. Photography has given me a way to record my life, my family, my friends, experiences and adventures. The fear of losing my sight completely motivates my work and pushes me to make the best shot every time I press the button. I am driven to create and succeed and know regardless of disability, photography surges in my veins..

I would love to move into wildlife photography and travel portraiture as I am passionate about ecology, but also love to tell stories about the people in their environment.