“How a Quadriplegic Uses an SLR” – Follow Up
I am giving you a follow up to my last post about “The Art of Photo Taking.” Thanks for all the comments and the interest in the post. Based on your ideas, we decided to try using our gorillapod (which we already owned but hadn’t thought of using) to see if that gave Jason more freedom in his photo-taking ability.
This is what we found out:
1. there is not a place to attach it to his chair and still be able to take the photo.
2. wrapping it around his forearm wasn’t very stable so that idea was out.
3. this is where the lack of use of his triceps comes into play – our best option was to attach the gorillapod to the camera and then close the legs of the gorillapod. Then he can “hold” the camera up a little higher when he grabs the legs of the gorillapod. However, lack of triceps in this quadriplegic means that he still can’t hold the whole contraption up high enough to reach his eye and look through the view finder. Not to mention, then lifting his other arm high enough to press the button is not even an option. Basically it all boils down to lack of triceps…
Dang. I was totally hopeful that #3 would work fabulously. I had forgotten about the “not being able to lift his arm above his shoulder” part.
However, what we have learned is that instead of being limited to only taking vertical shots with our old system, if he holds the gorillapod’s legs he can take a horizontal shot. This is key for 2009 since the photos in Becky Higgins’ kit for Project 365 of Gratitude all slide into horizontal slots on the sheet protectors.
So, all is not lost! We have made progress in our “How a Quadriplegic Uses an SLR” journey and we’ll keep you posted as we learn more tricks.
Download Day – Request
If you were wondering – yes, I take requests for Download Day. Here is a comment from Brynn when she saw my 365 Days of Gratitude photo.
Brynn
Beautiful Kolette. I too am on this journey and it’s already an amazing one.
P.S. Can the “Women of Stature and Faith” be the download for download day?! I would LOVE to have that!
Submitted on 2009/01/08 at 6:55pm
I created this as a sign for our 2009 theme in our church women’s organization but I think the quote applies to many women out there working to be the best they can be and have a little faith in the process. For Download Day, I adapted it to fit a 5 x 7 frame if you want to place it somewhere as a reminder – it would also make a great gift this way.
So, here you go Brynn. Our download for today is by your request. Feel free to make your own requests, fellow readers. I would love to give you what you want!
please click on image to download pdf
One thought I had was using a remote. I believe they’re about $50. (just checked, only $20!) That way he wouldn’t have to get his hand all the way up to the button. Look slike it would be easy to press the button.
Here’s link at bhphoto: (not sure if it’s for your model.)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/116234-REG/Canon_2467A001_RC_5_Remote_Controller.html#features
Annette
what about using the timer feature on the camera… Then he could push the button and have 30 seconds to get the camera into place before the shutter opens.. many cameras will let you set your own timer length, so if 1 minute works better etc…
I am so honored! When I first saw it was by request, I hoped it was mine! I am delighted! Thank you so much! Thank you for reading our comments. Thank you for listening. Thank you for your continuing inspiration!
Kolette,
I think there are some cables that one can put on a camera to make the take the picture button away from the camera. I know I have seen some photographers use one. I don’t know if it would be possible to make a bracket to hold the camera that would attach to the arm of jason’s chair, that he could swing around to his eye, and then shoot using the remote button.
I must say that I do love the perspective of the Jason Cam photos, however, and if he could line up every photo that would be lost.
Linda
Oh darn I had thought the gorilla pod would work. I used mine quite often to take shots of my daughter when I was on bedrest with the twins. But I do have to agree with Linda there is just something about the perspective that Jason’s pictures have that make them different.
Thanks for the great download.
I was in hopes the gorillapod would work. Hum! You know, I bet if you would go to a camera shop they would be able to find some way of adapting stuff so that Jason could take pictures and look through the viewfinder. For instance, I know that there are devices that are like rods that can be mounted on bicycles and other things like that to hold video cameras. So if they could find something like that to mount on Jason’s wheelchair then some type of trigger device that could be held between his hand and the chair arm or his stomach that would fix the problem. With the old cameras there used to be a way to squeeze a bulb with a long tube and that would trigger the device. I bet that there is something out there for this too. There are too many quads out there for there to not be a solution.
First of all, you look great! I get so huge when I’m pregnant that people ask me “Haven’t you had that baby yet?” when I’m six months along. I’m serious. It makes for a long third trimester.
I just discovered your website yesterday through the BPS page, and I must say that I will be checking back regularly. You and your husband are such an inspiration!
I had the same thought as Deb Jones. Maybe you could get (or make out of pvc pipe, or something) some sort of holder that hooks to the wheelchair so the camera could be more at eye level.
As for the vertical pics, I am planning to do my 365 album all vertical since I take 90 percent of my pictures vertically. I am just going to have it open so the pages are one above the other instead of next to each other (so the spine of the book is horizontal instead of vertical) , and have my journaling on the side instead of underneath.
Have a fantastic day!
Hi Kolette
It’s denise in Maine! I have nominated you for an award “The Marie Antoinette – A Real Person, A Real Award!”…you can check out the info on my blog. I thought what better person than Kolette! Hope all is well with you! http://www.dancinglydenise.typepad.com
Enjoy!
Denise
Kolette, just from reading yours and Jason’s blogs, I’m convinced, when there is a WILL there is a WAY…Jason will always find a “work around”… no worries! He’s very determined and has a positive attitude…he’s a super hero!
On an aside note, I don’t see any header on your blog, there is just a big white space at the top….I wonder why?
Sara
Hi Kolette!
I have an idea for you and Jason. Maybe you’ve tried it and it didn’t work, but maybe it’s a new one. I’m hoping for the latter. You can get a remote shutter release for your camera. Jason could use the Gorillapod as previously mentioned (as a handle to get it up higher to his face), he could hold the camera in one hand and the remote shutter release in the other. The remotes work in continuous shooting mode, so the “sports” mode he’s currently working in would be just fine.
You guys are an AMAZING couple, and I love reading both of your blogs. I THOROUGHLY enjoyed your class (with Jason’s input) and his keynote at Creative Escape. I’m just blabbing now.
So try the remote if you haven’t already, and let me know how it works.
Enjoy your day and the rest of the week.
Kim
I know the Canon was a gift, but maybe you could exchange it for a Sony Alpha 300 or 350 DSLR?
I don’t own a Sony DSLR, but some friends do and they love two features that make it more like a P&S:
1. Live View: so you CAN see what the shot will look like before you take it
2. the view screen TIPS UP a bit, off the back of the camera. Could be very helpful for lap shots for Jason, and for overhead shots for you.
Here is the demo on Sony’s site:
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=3769
This is my first look at your blog…followed a link from Becky Higgins’ blog.
Jason needs some sort of little device with a mirror and a magnifying glass at an angle that could attach to the viewfinder. Then maybe he could look down and see through the viewfinder.
Or, as the above comment suggests…return it and get the sony. I have a friend with a sony and she loves hers because of the large live view screen that pops out and tips. She likes to use hers to hold her camera at waist level or above her head and take photos from different angles without having to get her face to that level. That would be the easiest solution.