Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1975, Masaaki Toyoyoshi graduated from Tokyo International University in 1997. After graduation, He joined Japan System Technology Co. Ltd., where he was involved in system development as a system engineer. As his visual field loss due to glaucoma progressed, he felt limited as an engineer and left his job. He has studied under photographer Yukinori Tokoro since 2010. The glaucoma continued to progress and since 2015 he has undergone four surgeries. He now has a tube and plate in his left eye. As of 2022, he has lost most of the visual field in his left eye.
After undergoing surgery, Masaaki began creating his "MONOCLE VISION" series as an expression of "invisible vision". At the same time, he began taking rehearsal portraits of the "seven-fingered pianist" Gohei Nishikawa. His main cameras are Sony's Alpha7 Ill and RICOH GR Ill. Masaaki appeared on NHK E-television program as a glaucomapatient/photographer in August 2020. His solo exhibition "MONOCLE VISION" was held in April 2022. He is a full member of Glaucoma Friends Network.
Have you heard about the retina projection camera kit to transform the “difficult to see” into “clearer sight”? This exhibition features photographs from eight people with low vision*1 who used the Retina Projection Camera Kit, DSC-HX99 RNV kit.
This kit consists of Sony's DSC-HX99 compact camera and QD Laser's RETISSA NEOVIEWER*2, a viewfinder that uses laser retinal projection technology. Since its launch last year, we have received many positive comments from people with low vision who have used the kit. They have expressed surprise at the new, sharper way to see and capture the world through retinal projection. For example, we have heard from people with low vision who enjoy cameras that it is easier to use, that going out and taking pictures has become more enjoyable since they started using this camera kit, that it has stimulated conversation when reporting on their trip to everyone through photos and videos, and that they have made more friends through the camera. As a communication tool, cameras also play a role in connecting people.
Cameras sometimes take the place of eyes. You use the camera zoom function to capture distant views, or to see details of a building's exterior or interior. Everyone can be creative in their own way, enjoy taking pictures, share scenes, which moved them, that they want to remember, and share the joy and excitement of their work.
You can experience, from the perspective of people with low vision, what they see in their daily lives and travels, and what they capture with their cameras. We hope this exhibition will be an opportunity for you to share the joys and impressions of the exhibitors' photography and the accompanying messages.
This camera kit utilizes a laser retinal projection method that depends less on the eye's ability to adjust focus. By projecting the subject captured by the camera onto the retina, those who have difficulty seeing the image they want to capture through a conventional viewfinder or screen can still take photos and videos*3.
Sony Corporation and QD Laser, Inc. have donated a total of approximately 200 Retina Projection Camera Kits, the DSC-HX99 RNV kit, to schools and organizations for people with visual impairments. We will continue to provide more people in need with the opportunity to use our products and to facilitate their photographic creativity and enjoyment.
During the exhibition, staff of the With My Eyes project will attend in the gallery at certain times. With staff attending, visitors are welcome to try Retina Projection Camera Kit (no reservation required). Please check the gallery's official SNS accounts, X or Facebook (in Japanese only), for the latest attending schedule before visiting the gallery.
*Please note that there may be times when staff is not attending due to breaks or other reasons. Please understand in advance.
Since 2015, QD Laser has been developing and marketing RETISSA, a vision support product based on retinal projection technology. As part of this effort, QD Laser has been working on "With My Eyes," a project to transform the "difficult to see" into "clearer sight" for 250 million people with low vision around the world since December 2020 and has been working with supporting companies to deliver visible experiences to people with low vision to enrich their lives. Sony has participated and is promoting the project jointly with QD Laser as a major supporting company.
Supporting company: QD Laser, Inc.