Surgery and Photography (Page 2): I sure feel for you, last year I slipped on some ice and fell on my shoulder, split the head of my humerus in half almost all the way down to the...

physicsbob Loc: Michigan

I sure feel for you, last year I slipped on some ice and fell on my shoulder, split the head of my humerus in half almost all the way down to the elbow. Doctors couldn't do anything, just taped up my shoulder and immobilized my arm. Had to sleep in Recliner for six months. To take pictures I used a monopod that i could hold with my immobilized left arm,my right to t
o work the camera. I will say I got a lot of people staring at me when we visted downtown Chicago.

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

SharpShooter wrote:

Don, sorry to hear that.
Just do what I do. I just walk around and point to things, and one of my many girlfriends snaps the pic! :lol:
SS

Now that's a great idea SS.

Thanks to everyone else for the kind thoughts too.

miamithom Loc: Cutler Bay, Florida, USA

Nikon_DonB wrote:

Now that's a great idea SS.

Thanks to everyone else for the kind thoughts too.

Ansel Adams had a driver for him when he did "Moon Rise".

Sylvias Loc: North Yorkshire England

Poor you.....I had the same op a few years ago, very painful! Do your physio every day and keep taking the tablets.....I have not had a twinge of pain since it healed. :-)

bettis1 Loc: Texas

Several years ago I had rotator cuff surgery. At that time I was a handgun instructor and, obviously, I couldn't hold a handgun out at arms length so that fell by the wayside. With, photography you can take some of Lighthouse's good advice.

Some advice from someone who has been there: 1)DO YOUR REHAB EXERCISES! 2)Just accept the fact that it will be one year before you are completely back to before you were when you injured it.
(I need to have my other one done now but I am holding off as long as possible because I know what is ahead.)

Bob

Millismote Loc: Massachusetts

Nikon_DonB wrote:

I had rotator cuff surgery last Thursday on my left shoulder. It is really painful. I will be in a sling for 6 weeks and cannot use the arm. I think this will really impact my photography as well as other summer activities. My typing was bad before.....now it'll take forever.

I had the same surgery, You can remove the sling and let your arm hang down to relieve it. You can also use the arm for light tasks as long as you keep your elbow bent and close to your body. What you can't do is to extend your arm and put any strain on your shoulder by trying to lift. Be careful and follow directions and you will have full use of your shoulder. It took me a year but it was worth it.

terry44 Loc: Tuolumne County California, Maui Hawaii

Just kick back and let yourself heal, I tried a couple weeks ago and did to much and landed back in er. hope that you mend quickly

Nikon_DonB wrote:

I had rotator cuff surgery last Thursday on my left shoulder. It is really painful. I will be in a sling for 6 weeks and cannot use the arm. I think this will really impact my photography as well as other summer activities. My typing was bad before.....now it'll take forever.

crimesc324 Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

Nikon_DonB wrote:

I had rotator cuff surgery last Thursday on my left shoulder. It is really painful. I will be in a sling for 6 weeks and cannot use the arm. I think this will really impact my photography as well as other summer activities. My typing was bad before.....now it'll take forever.

adapt and overcome. Tripod and shutter release cable. Feel better soon.

Scoutman Loc: Orlando, FL

Nikon_DonB wrote:

I had rotator cuff surgery last Thursday on my left shoulder. It is really painful. I will be in a sling for 6 weeks and cannot use the arm. I think this will really impact my photography as well as other summer activities. My typing was bad before.....now it'll take forever.

I had cataract surgery earlier in the year, and I've never seen better. Improved my word processing skills, as well.

Hernia surgery too that limited me to bed rest for a short period, restricting me to shots of my ceiling fan. Slow shutter speeds!

Gremlins666

I feel your pain.... I had a stroke a year ago and couldn't even lift my arm up to the dinner table. With about 8 weeks of rehab I am fine now.... but your situation requires rest and recovery.

I agree with Lighthouse..great time to work on your "other photography skills". I spent a lot of time with Google street view mapping out all the places I was going to photo when I was better. Bought a new camera and memorized the manual. Spent hour after hour on Youtube learning new photography techniques.

Good luck with your recovery.

Nikonman2014

I suggest a supply of DVD's of photography-themed movies. I like Hitchcock's Rear Window, with Jimmy Stewart as the photographer. There is also a very documentary about Eddie Adams on Netflix. Blow Up was a terrific Antonioni film from the 1960's, with David Hemmings.

Other possibilities: The Killing Fields and The Year of Living Dangerously.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Nikon_DonB wrote:

I had rotator cuff surgery last Thursday on my left shoulder. It is really painful. I will be in a sling for 6 weeks and cannot use the arm. I think this will really impact my photography as well as other summer activities. My typing was bad before.....now it'll take forever.

You have the perfect excuse to buy a pocket-size camera. Sony RX100 III, maybe?

jayro Loc: Fort Worth Tx

Nikon_DonB wrote:

I had rotator cuff surgery last Thursday on my left shoulder. It is really painful. I will be in a sling for 6 weeks and cannot use the arm. I think this will really impact my photography as well as other summer activities. My typing was bad before.....now it'll take forever.

I had the same surgery in January on my right shoulder.
During your recovery is a good time to read photog. material.
Understanding Photography (3rd edition) by Brian Peterson and the Digital Photography Book vol. 1 and vol. 2 by Scott Kelly are wonderful reads full of professional tips and tricks no matter your level of expertise.
Good luck on your recovery and don't skirt on your rehab.

Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

Hope you recover soon! I too had SS and it takes a while.
Typing isn't my strong suite either, so I can feel your frustration. Get well soon!!!! :thumbup: Boone.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

MadMikeOne wrote:

Excellent advice. I may even consider scheduling similar surgery so I can get some housekeeping done. Just kidding!
Seriously, though, I wish you a speedy recovery and a fully functional and pain free shoulder when all is over and done with.
Mike

Good points. Now is the time for you to increase your knowledge of post processing, learning the camera and other things better.. Just think of this as preseason classroom development. and GET WELL SOON!!!