The truth about being a blind YouTube creator...

It's been a minute.. or month. I wanted to share what it's like being a blind KZbin creator (KZbinr) who does the entire creative process almost entirely independent. How does that affect me physically and mentally? Does it make me want to give up? Let's talk about it.
Thanks to James of FunFoods for recording the VidCon Clip
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[@BlindtoBillionaire]

Hey! This is an awesome video, I just came across your channel 8 and have been watching a bunch of your videos, they are really great and I really enjoyed it watching them. I am also blind and have her KZbin channel. You’re doing such an awesome job and I love the videos! Keep them coming, I look forward to more! Thanks again, Matt

[@cmillsap100]

Just discovered you and you’re a breath of fresh air. Also legally blind, more into photography than video editing but I really like your work that I’ve seen so far. I know things can be tough, but hope you keep at it.

[@tymonfankidejski]

Photography? How ? I have 10% vision and big astigmatyzm duble vision and photo almost not access

[@AmeriCanadian2011]

James, endurance is a great topic. Professionally, I am always having to push against the expectation that assistive technology removes all aspects of a disability. Accounting for the physical toll of using technology is a key factor in any successful accommodation. Personally, I make my own ebooks starting with a scanner, OCR software, and ebook editing software to re-format the text for the massive font sizes I need. I love the process, especially figuring out the challenges of including mathematics and non-roman typography. However, the eye strain involved means that I usually can't read the new ebook until I've rested for a few days.

[@jellyduck100]

You’re doing awesome James! :)

[@legallyblind4215]

YAAAAAS! I hear you, man!! Making KZbin videos while legally blind is frickin' hard! In fact, same goes for any job that requires detailed vision... And if you don't work for yourself, it can be really hard to explain to your boss why you can't get things done quickly or why you need breaks or why sometimes you have to take an entire week off because of a migraine...

[@20tw3ntee]

Good stuff man! We need people like you putting out content to educate and inspire. I don't do video (yet) but do have challengeds when I edit my podcast or stream so I have a small inkling of where you are coming from.

[@creationsfromthetable5291]

You are the only one who knows how much your eyes can handle. I experience these same struggles. I get ya. Keep pursuing your passion!

[@OntheFritz]

You are awesome and I have already learned so much just by watching some of your videos. Thank you for the info! I am legally blind and hoping to start my channel soon and didnt even think about what kind of toll my eyes would be taking with having lighting and basically doing everything else myself. That is something I can now prepare for and will hopefully. be able to pace myself :)

[@Funfoods]

I always learn so much from watching your videos. Platforms like KZbin should definitely consult you when improving their platform for accessibility purposes.

[@rafaeltorovip]

I am starting the same journey, I can tell you it is difficult trying to produce a quality video and deal with the difficulty of be legally blind. I do believe that the desire doing different, relevant and with a powerful message can overcome all of our limitations. Nice job. 👍

[@cabejackson7518]

Idk, if this counts but building and maintaining relationships. I only have a few people in my circle, but I do put a lot of energy into maintaining each of those unique relationships...I’m not sure if that’s a passion per se, but it’s something that I know takes energy away from me, yet is still worth doing. Also, I really enjoy your video. I’m new here and I just find your voice really soothing!

[@JuanAlcazar]

This is exactly why I did away with having a strict weekly youtube schedule. It does take a lot out of me to make a video or short film and even yesterday while editing I finished with a migraine.

[@Lazy_eye_blobFish]

You do really good work and you make people smile, keep up the amazing job and you seem like a good dude. God bless! ️ ☺️

[@jamesrath]

I appreciate the kind words!! Thank you 😄

[@Lazy_eye_blobFish]

@@jamesrath it's my pleasure, it's people like you that make how I view blind people change. I'm always trying to be respectful of those who have disabilities but I always turn the babies on them and according to my blind friends on Twitter they don't need that. Always be respectful but still treat them like normal human beings, it's okay to crack a blind joke every now and then as long as you're doing it with good intentions.

[@mattinfullvision9598]

@@Lazy_eye_blobFish you seem like a good person, for me you hit the nail on the head we need to be treated like humans because we are humans but some people forget that. You have a nice day/night

[@ChelbyFarley]

Despite my vision, I have 2 KZbin channels, so I can definitely relate to this. I love making videos, but my eyes just get SO TIRED so easily.

[@Ylluria]

Hooray! Even MORE VI KZbinrs! I'll have to check out your channel/s! I love that by James telling his story, he's also helping other VI youtubers come together to help support each other. ^_^

[@JustinHollandFitness]

I Know what you mean. It is frustrating when something is not accessible with voice over. I hate the new KZbin studio beta for example.

[@Ylluria]

Dude, I soooo hear this. I film all my videos with a li'l Nikon point n' shoot, which means I have no viewfinder. So in order to film videos, I have to set up my whole lighting and backdrop situation in my livingroom (I live in a tiny 1br apartment), set up whatever table/seating I need for the actual video itself, and then, find something (often the chair I'll be sitting in) to focus the camera on. Then I use the timer to take a series of test shots as I run back n' forth to check focus, framing, lighting etc., until everything's as okay as I can get it, until it looks like things are acceptable enough to record. Plus my camera automatically turns off after a half-hour of recording w/lack of button presses, etc,, so I have to try & make my filming sessions as quick as possible, so I don't have to redo the whole setup/framing process all over again should the camera turn off in the middle of a video. Plus once I film (outside of whatever takes the video may need while actively filming), what's done is done. Which means.. if there's a smudge on my chin that appears at the end of a shoot & I don't realize it until the editing process, I may have to scrap the whole video. (As I only have Adobe Elements 15 and lack the fancy tech to edit little things like that out in motion shots. Which means I'd have to film the whole video all over again. -Something especially hard with unboxings, etc. *lol*) Filming as a solo VI youtuber can definitely physically and visually exhausting, which is why, like you, I don't film as much as I'd like, let alone as much as maybe other youtubers do. But I love it, so I keep doing it, and will as long as there's something I have to offer the world. :) For now, I dream of getting a larger place where I can have a dedicated filming space, so at least that half of the setup and tear-down process is already taken care of. :) And maybe someday? Oh dream of dreams- a real VIDEO camera- with an actual viewfinder! *lol* But my hope is that as my channel grows, I'll be able to actually make a bit back from KZbin, and thus be able to put a bit more money into doing this- so I can get fancy-schmancy stoof like a real ring light, etc. :) Dreaming big over here I know, but I'm determined! ^_^

[@BrickMaster122]

Wow! Great video!! I don’t have a solid answer to your question right now. Still figuring that stuff out.

[@FaithNotSight7x70]

As someone who is legally blind and a KZbinr, I have such a hard time making content because it’s so hard on my eyes from focusing to editing ... Your videos are amazing and love your work!! I understand the eye strain ! Keep making videos & being a positive influence in this world as someone who suffers from a vision loss !! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@romer9570]

I love your channel so much thank you for sharing your story

[@mattinfullvision9598]

Where have you been James? We've missed you. I know what you mean, when I started my Chanel it was hard, I had to find someone to help me film and edit my videos because I don't have enough sight. I'm also trying to balance filming videos with college work, I still enjoy it though, great video

[@LEXPIX]

Good stuff James. I can relate to many of your insights being visually challenged photography hobbyist and sometime KZbinr myself.

[@WrestlingInTheDark]

Hope the UK made you feel welcome. did you notice any difference in attitude towards you from people over here compared to people at home? Hopefully one day I'll find a way to make my own content thanks for the video and showing that i can be possible I really value the work you put in.

[@mattinfullvision9598]

I find people over hear to be quite friendly but I've never been to the US so I only know what it's like here in the UK. I'd love to hear what James thinks about this

[@goingblindenjoyinglife]

i am doing the same now. and it is frustrating at times. not only am i going blind but i am not good with technology to top it off. i am having a hard time but i wont let it defeat me.

[@shaunteckno]

Hello James, this is Shaun. Thanks for the video. I " know that as a blind KZbinr myself, I've also gotten the response: "Good Video. It's been a while. We've missed you." I'm greatful for that comment, but like you, I have other things I want to accomplish in life. For example, I love podcasting. Again, great video! I was just wondering, do you use Braille Screen input on your iPhone? I find that it's a lot quicker to type out very long comments/messages like this one. I'm currently using Braille Screen Input, (BSI.) Thanks, and I look forward to your response.

[@ringingecho8114]

I learned a lot from this. Thank you for sharing!

[@visuallyimpaired7931]

I know how you feel I do all my own editing and I have to do a little at a time. My good eye can only take so much. I on!y see out of a pin hole. Your a great inspiration to the V.I.P community.

[@samivayajd]

The hard part is looking at the damn tiny-ass screen display on the camera!!! :)

[@jamesrath]

HAHAHA. I tend to use my iPhone as a magnifier when I need to do that but I agree that camera companies should have more flexible zoom features.

[@JokerAlice]

Hey James so happy you uploaded a new video, but we understand you have work outside of KZbin. Have you consider indoor shades? They help with glare and indoor lights you shouldn’t strain you’re sight

[@jamesklinkhammer3779]

keep up the great job!

[@CoolBlindTech]

Just doing some research on how blind people can produce videos when we came across this video. Not what we expected, hope things improve for you. If anyone can recommend some how to videos for blind video producers please reply. If someone can mention the equipment that you are using, that would be appreciated.

[@jamesrath]

Hey thanks for watching, I do have other videos on my channel that share "How a Blind Person Edits Video" and "Blind Filmmaker's Guide to Cameras" which may be of resource. Smartphones are likely the most accessible creation tool for video from screen-reader view finder support, to built in editors like iMovie and Clips.

[@KevinCofDE]

Hey, you got to eat and KZbin isn’t your main bread and butter. We all got understand that.

[@jamesrath]

Thanks Kevin!

[@agentdarkness4628]

Hey James you’re awesome. Let me tell you what happened a couple weeks ago, I have an app called shore motive audio, are use it all the time and it’s easy to work. But I also have an app called shore motor video, I cannot work that for the life of me. It doesn’t have a play back button, and every time I try to record and I stop it it says recording time zero hours zero minutes, I tried everything nothing works so I put in my feedback to the people who run the app. Guess what I got back, hello when I run sure motive video into my iPhone I can see, what the fuck. What the hell is the matter with people that’s all they can say that’s no help, what good is it to complain to some of these people because you do what you’re supposed to do and they give you nothing but shit and they don’t even help you they don’t even check out the problem. Did you ever have anything like that happen to you?

[@brianbutlerandfriends2066]

You amazing me dude

[@viviana_2024]

Yes please! Videos about how you travel 😆

[@jamesrath]

Ok!! I've been doing a lot of that lately!

[@dinahakim7114]

I was thinking about you a few days go and was wondering what you didn’t do KZbin and her you are lol

[@jamesrath]

Got another one up for ya today! :)

[@steven.sp0hn]

I am passionate about technology! Specifically 🍎

[@jamesrath]

Thanks for sharing Stefan!

[@Lazy_eye_blobFish]

HOOPLA!

[@jamesrath]

It sounds like a -