To Robert Wright, a legally blind photographer who lives in Seattle, focus is the key.

Not the kind of focusing that one does with a camera lens. Wright, 39, uses an automatic light meter and autofocus lens to compensate for his sight impairment.

The kind of focus, Wright knows all too well is the kind that's made up of an intangible quality that lies behind his damaged eyes and nerves. That motivates him to strive to be the best he can be in the field of photography.

And an unlikely field it is, considering Wright was rendered practically blind in an automobile accident in a suburb of Seattle when he was an infant.

But over the weekend, he demonstrated his photographic skills at the Yashica booth during the Photo Marketing Association convention at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Yashica, which developed autofocus cameras in 1980, provided Wright with a new 300-series single lens reflex 35mm camera with an autofocus and motor drive.

Other companies which have provided Wright with free camera equipment and film include Kodak, Sun Pack,Agfa, and Gitzo-Bogen, which manufactures tripods.

"These companies have been very generous," Wright says. "And I didn't have to do any arm twisting to gain their assistance."

Armed with all that equipment, Wright as taken several photo safaris in recent years.

Last spring, working on a frugal budget and with the help of corporate sponsors, Wright spent two weeks shooting 50 rolls of film at Disneyland and Six Flags' Magic Mountain.

He formatted several of his pictures into promotional posters, and displayed them at the Convention Center in the hopes of attracting more corporate sponsors.

With more assistance, Wright hopes to put together a series of photo-montage theme posters to promote photography for the visually impaired.

Wright's favorite subjects are pieces of American folklore, such as scenes from national parks, statues and other landmarks, old buildings and amusement rides - especially roller-coasters.

"I've always had a thing for roller-coaster rides, ever since I was a little kid," Wright said.

Even with the help of thick glasses, Wright sees at 20 feet what the average person sees at 400 feet.

One would think that photography would be the last hobby he should consider.

But this sort of thinking angers Wright.

"I've never allowed society to underestimate my ability," he said. "I would like to decide what I can do and what I cannot do."

It turns out he can do a great deal.

Wright is only two classes away from the attaining a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Washington, Wash. It was at Olympic Community College that Wright started taking photo classes.

In the fall of 1989, Wright pedaled his touring bike from Seattle to San Francisco. It took him six weeks, with plenty of stops, to make the 360-mile (out of 800 miles ridden) trek, and he went alone.

When he's not on a bike or in front of a camera Wright spends a great deal of time operating his HAM radio. His call letters are KB7-FKZ. He also loves to hike, listen to music and watch television.

"I can see enough to know what's going on," Wright said with a smile.

Bold article text represents the correction of material contained in the original article.5)