My father was a true artist. Whether with a brush or a camera, he loved to capture the world as he saw it. He had a natural instinct for framing a composition. When taking a picture he often would say he didn’t really need to develop the film. What was important was how the image was composed. His camera had to allow him to create the image he wanted; there was nothing automatic about the model he used. But after developing Parkinson's, he needed assistive devices to keep the camera steady.
Photography for Any Disability
In his later years my father developed Parkinson's disease, which made holding a camera and snapping the shutter difficult. I sit in a wheelchair. I know that sometimes it is difficult for me to keep the camera steady while framing a shot. My father went through similar problems. While he was alive, I wish we had both known about the many pieces of assistive devices currently available for photographers.
Assistive Devices for Photographers
Fortunately, finding ways for the photographer with a disability to cope is fairly easy. Several companies have developed assistive devices that clamp tightly onto the frame of a wheelchair and allow a camera to be positioned for a clear, steady image. Some of these devices are the Laird VGO, Symmetric Designs’ Camera Mount, and Orcca Technology Incorporated’s Camera Mounting System.
Dexterity/Mobility Issues
Today's cameras are small, as are their control buttons. If you have poor dexterity or gripping ability, these cameras can be a problem. There are solutions. The Gentle-ed IR Remote Control is a shutter release extension that uses the infrared wireless control found on many newer cameras to trigger the shutter.
Conceptus, an Arizona-based company, makes switches for skydiving photographers. The best of these is called the Bite Switch; it’s perfect for those with limited arm/hand mobility. As its name implies, users bite down on it to operate the camera shutter.
Assistive Devices for Blind Photography
Finally—and this may be a surprise to you—even those who have very poor or no eyesight can be photographers. I remember when I was a staff writer for a disability lifestyle magazine; one of the frequent contributors was a blind photographer. One advantage of today's digital cameras is their large LED view screens. For someone vision-impaired, the larger the screen, the better.
But for those people who are completely blind and still want to take photographs, the best advice I can give you is to rely on your intact senses. For instance, when taking a picture of a sunrise, one would face the East and let the rays of the sun warm your face while pointing the camera in that direction. If you want a candid picture of people, listen to the direction of their voices. If your ears are sharp enough, you can even tell how far away from you they are; then a flick of your finger can adjust the camera’s zoom.
If you have questions about becoming a photographer, and you have a disability, the best place to receive valuable information about assistive devices is a worldwide organization called The Disabled Photographers Society.
