disability and photography

Hiya All,

Well reading the thread answers the question asked right at the beginning, yes there are lots of disabled photographers who access Talk!

Morgan, can identify with what you are saying, I am partially sighted and have been all my life with many of the conditions you mention. The biggest hurdle for me is around colour correction when printing, I have a real problem getting whites white and skin the correct colour. Another issue is around focusing generally, I cannot do this if very fine focus is needed.

I visited focus on imaging a few weeks ago and had a look at the new Sony A550, it has a manual focusing system in liveview where you can enlarge the image 14x, I used it to focus on print on a leaflet some 4ft away with around a 150mm lens, I got it spot on so there is hope!

Yes there is a forum out there for photographers with disabilities http://www.photographerswithdisabilities.com the aim of the group is very much about actively taking photographs and yes I do belong to the group.

Chris
 
Densley said:
Yes there is a forum out there for photographers with disabilities http://www.photographerswithdisabilities.com the aim of the group is very much about actively taking photographs and yes I do belong to the group.

Chris
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I did try to sign upto there a while ago and found it all a bit confusing. Then when I did sign up I got about 4 emails asking me to sign up :cuckoo::suspect: so admittedly haven't been back on since.
 
This is an extremely interesting discussion. I'm not disabled, so excuse me for butting in. As soon as I read the title of the thread and then the first few posts I was reminded of a shot I saw a while back. This one - http://www.burnmagazine.org/photographs/2009/07/the-best-fall-of-my-life-by-patricia-lay-dorsey/

Read the description, because at first the shot looks like a tragedy (or at least a bad day). Its a shot that's stuck in my mind since I saw it. And its a shot and an attitude that inspires me.
 
I too have MS, I learnt a long time ago not to let it define me though. If anyone asks who I am, my initial response is always to say I'm a photographer.
I was working at a mental health hospital when my symptoms first started, couldn't predict when I'd be OK to work so they let me go after a few months (which was fair enough). I already had a DSLR by that point, and about a year later I was being paid for photography jobs.
4 years down the line and I'm running my own business.. I do struggle when fatigue hits though, and this current relapse is kicking my butt somewhat.
 
Sue

At present I'm considering getting a scooter as I find the Shopmobility and supermarket ones so helpful.I have a Motability estate car so could fit one in ( though not with the dog) but they are all so heavy that I wouldnt be able to lift one into the car.
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If you're thinking of getting a scooter to keep you mobile you may find this link to a supplier of scooter and wheelchair lifts useful

http://www.autochair.co.uk/store/scooter-and-wheelchair-lifts

There's no doubt many other suppliers but at least it gives an idea of what's available and may help keep you mobile.
 
Densley said:
Hiya All,

Well reading the thread answers the question asked right at the beginning, yes there are lots of disabled photographers who access Talk!

Morgan, can identify with what you are saying, I am partially sighted and have been all my life with many of the conditions you mention. The biggest hurdle for me is around colour correction when printing, I have a real problem getting whites white and skin the correct colour. Another issue is around focusing generally, I cannot do this if very fine focus is needed.

I visited focus on imaging a few weeks ago and had a look at the new Sony A550, it has a manual focusing system in liveview where you can enlarge the image 14x, I used it to focus on print on a leaflet some 4ft away with around a 150mm lens, I got it spot on so there is hope!

Yes there is a forum out there for photographers with disabilities http://www.photographerswithdisabilities.com the aim of the group is very much about actively taking photographs and yes I do belong to the group.

Chris
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Relay 99% on the AF system, I've only manual focused the odd thing using the LiveView function which I find isn't that great by the time i've focused i've moved and need to refocus again lol, with Shaking head to focus comes hands as steady as a cement mixer :).

Colours i relay on Auto in LR & PS and asking people if it looks odd or not :S its only way i can get it right & most of the time i don't think my pictures are correct, one of the reasons why i don't have the confidence to advance in my photography to start selling stuff.

I'm part of the disabled forum not posted on there for a while TP takes up alot of my forum time, need to make a more active stance and post more on there.

Where are you based would be cool to meet up for a TP Disabled meet :).
 
MagicMynx said:
Does nyone struggle with enthusiasm? I mean, you're having a crap day, you want to take a pic, you know that you can but for medical stuffs, maybe you're hurting? You think "ahhh I'll do it later, not just at the moment"?
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I do it regular and sometimes find it had to get myself motivated to do anything
 
I know exactly what you mean. I've missed a lot of photo opportunities because 'I couldn't be bothered' which roughly translated means I felt carp. :(

Depression is also a symptom coupled with anxiety sometimes and lack of concentration.

Either pain, or weakness, or fatigue or no motivation but the no motivation probably comes from living with the first three. Sometimes I blame it on the medication too.
 
Hiya All,

In a way I think the last group of entries on here typify the misunderstanding people have about the problems experienced by photographers with disabilities, people seem to think its all about holding the camera and once that's overcome whats the problem! For many that is most definitely true but there are also a large group of disabled photographers the issues are very much wider either around getting them image to look good, they are then not encouraged to share their pictures or even having the motivation and energy to go out and take photographs at all.

Clearly this is quite a big issue and there are many disabled photographers out there!

Thanks all for the contributions so far.

Chris
 
One of the ways we wish to develop Photographers with Disabilities website is to have a section on the types of aids used by disabled photographers, it would be really interesting here to know what people find helpful, and perhaps why. One company that makes quite a few different types of clamp is Manfrotto, they certainly make several arms that can be clamped onto wheelchairs, also some of the chest pods around can be of help, have a look at sevendayshop they sell some quite cheaply.

Chris
 
Im another MS sufferer, fatigue is the worst symptom for me although maybe im just really lazy and use it as my excuse lol I think most of us with MS like to just get on and make out like we're fine and healthy but in doing so we have to put so much more effort in which then results in more fatigue. There are times where balance issues come into play too and it can stop you going down a steep hill or over a rocky surface to get the shot due to the fear of falling. Handheld is something im not too good at either as the mild tremors shake the camera way beyond what VR can prevent, so slow shutter speeds are a no no.

Here's one to laugh at...on my first dslr the d40 i purchase the Nikon 50mm f1.8 which has to be manual focus only and i struggled really bad with focus, this went on for months then i suffered Optic Neuritis and only then did i realise my right eye is always out of focus in the center of my veiw lol Obviously i recovered from the attack but i still have colour and focus issues in that eye, easy fix i now use my left eye to look throught the view finder.

Anyway im one of the lucky ones as i generally have good health and you would never actually know i suffer from MS. We all have our ups and downs which can take us off our legs altoghether and much worse but we just bonce back and get on with it. Total respect to those who are wheelchair bound who still get out there and enjoy Photography :thumbs:
 
MagicMynx said:
Because my disability includes all of my limbs and involentary movements and spasms, I have to use a tripod, I can't do the bracing thing.

I admit that PP has been a blessing, salvaged so many pics that I've taken when I was tired/distracted etc.
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i take it you get better results with tripod and remote release or timed
my panasonic has a 2 second timed release...good for tripod and finger pushing shutter button photos...gives time for any vibrations to die down.
2 seconds isnt that long so the shot remains...hopefully
 
Hiya All

I am partially sighted, have enjoyed photography for around well too many years! Two major issues for me, focusing the camera and colour correction when printing. Autofocus doesn't fully overcome the focusing issue especially when trying to work very close up or when focus is really critical. Many of the modern DSLR's through their live view can now magnify the image on the back screen, for the first time I can actually manually focus a camera critically! I tried the Sony a580 in this mode a can focus a 150mm at its closest focus critically using the inbuilt 14x magnifier, this is the first time I have ever focused a camera that critically without using some odd aid!!

Few, if any camera manufacturers conside disability, the iphone has been described as the first accessible camera! Nokia are using blindness to seel their phones when used as cameras!!!!

Manfrotto do make quite a few arms that can be fixed onto wheelchairs and offer support, but the issue is a little wider there, low view point can be the bigger issue.

Disability does not have to be a reason not to take up the hobby of photography but disability definately presents many interesting issues to be overcome!!

Chris
 
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I have muscular dystrophy, the only movement I have is in my fingertips and I use an electric wheelchair.

I like a challenge, and I have recently taken up photography. I have found that by using the larger size Gorillapod I can effectively mount the camera by wrapping the tripods flexible legs around my knee and thigh. This worked out much cheaper than the Manfrotto head and clamp.

I cannot use the on-board shutter release, so I use a cheap shutter remote control which I leave between my finger and thumb, half squeeze to focus, full squeeze to shoot. I choose a focal length and then move myself to get my preferred framing and subject size.

I use auto, but I am also experimenting with tethered shooting which allows me to control all of the cameras functions and settings through a small portable laptop where I can use the mouse control, or even my voice recognition software. I can then do everything by voice.

Lots of experimenting, but I'm starting to get some results.
 
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