A visually impaired Brazilian photographer has been praised for his ability to take beautiful shots of athletes while covering the Rio Paralympics, in spite of his disability.

Joao Maia, 41, a former postman from Sao Paulo, lost his sight at the age of 28 due to an infection and was left unable to see anything more than vague shapes and colours.

He developed a keen interest in photography while learning to use his cane, and now takes photos of a similar standard to those captured by a sighted professional.

Last week, Mr Maia joined sports photographers on the tribune at the Engenhao Olympic stadium to cover Paralympics events, having practiced his craft during warm-up events over the past year.

The photographer quickly found track races too difficult to photograph, due to the "noicse and distances" associated with the events.

"When I am close enough I feel the runners' heartbeats, their steps, then I'm ready to take the picture," Mr Maia told AFP.

"Photography is about sensitivity. I think it's marvellous to be able to show how I perceive the world, how I see it, sense it.

"You don't need to see to take photographs. My eyes are in my heart."

Paralympics: Five British athletes to watch Show all 5 1 /5 Paralympics: Five British athletes to watch Paralympics: Five British athletes to watch Gordon Reid - men's wheelchair tennis Scotland’s Reid became the first Wimbledon men’s wheelchair tennis singles champion back in July winning the final in straight sets against Sweden’s Stefan Olsson in front of a raucous Court 17 crowd. He added that crown to the doubles title he won the previous day with fellow Brit Alfie Hewett. The 24-year-old is also the Australian Open champion so is very much the one to beat in Rio. Getty Paralympics: Five British athletes to watch Dame Sarah Storey - Track cycling C5 3km individual pursuit The incredible cyclist has four chances to add the one gold medal that will take her from 11 to 12 and clear in first place as the most successful Paralympic athlete Great Britain has had. The former swimmer – she took to the pool at her first four Games - is 38 and is entering her seventh Olympics but shows no signs of slowing down. Getty Paralympics: Five British athletes to watch 7-a-side football GB’s footballers team finished a disappointing seventh in London and will be looking for dramatic improvement this time. They have Jack Rutter, the former Birmingham City full-back, Michael Barker, who used to play alongside Wayne Rooney at the Everton Academy, and Sean Highdale, who played for England U16 alongside Jack Wilshere, in their ranks. All three suffered injuries of varying natures but are now going for gold in Rio. But, be warned, they have Brazil in their group. Getty Paralympics: Five British athletes to watch Jonnie Peacock - men's T44 100m The men’s 100m promises to be a fascinating race with blade runner Peacock attempting to defend his title won in London. Then he beat Oscar Pistorius, of course, now the field is even stronger with home favourite Alan Oliveira, America’s Jarryd Wallace, South Africa’s Arnu Fourie, Germany’s Felix Streng and Peacock all aiming to break 11 seconds. Getty Paralympics: Five British athletes to watch David Weir - T54 400m, 800m, 1500m, marathon and the T53-54 4x400m Weir (aka the Weirwolf, of course) became a star of the London Games when he won four gold medals: three on the track (5,000m, 1,500m, 800m) and then added marathon victory too. He defends all four titles in Rio. Getty

Using a smartphone with a powerful camera as opposed to a traditional camera, Mr Maia uses sound as a reference for when to take a particular shot and says he favours the long jump for its close-up drama.

"It's not just action I want to capture but intimacy," he added.

A particular shot of French long jumper Marie-Amelie Le Fur setting a new world record in the pit at this summer's Games has attracted praise from Mr Maia's fellow photographers.

He is helped in his efforts by two men he calls his "borrowed eyes", Leonard Eroico and Ricardo Rojas, who run a smartphone photography initiative.