John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Whereby the subject, born normal, has acquired an injury to the brain through accident, mental deficiency, stroke etc.

Myself and a couple of colleagues from from Marlow C.C. (U.K.) have undertaken a project with a local charity to help some of these people who have expressed a willingness to 'learn' photography.

But I have a problem with one member that maybe some hogs can help out with. One participant has the shakes real bad - such that it manifests itself through the wheelchair. A tripod and remote release is the answer, but initial views are that he is unlikely to manage this. I'm looking for a wheelchair mounted device probably secured near the axles (shakes appear non existent here). I have a couple of expensive ideas but am asking for any practical ideas from hogs who may have experienced something similar.

thanks.

TomC. Loc: Bel Air, MD

How about one of those mini tri-pods that the legs can wrap around anything securely. I just got one from B&H. It was on sale for $10. It's called "Magnus Maxi Grip".

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Unfortunately, I don't have a suggestion for addressing the problem however, I do want to applaud what you're doing. It's a wonderful way to give back & speaks highly of who you are as a person. Thank you for sharing.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Wow, I hope you do get some good ideas or answers to this. I have rather severe Gouty Arthritis and Sciatica and the like and find it hard to walk or stand for any length of time. And with my related issues I have bad balance and find it nearly impossible these days to look through a viewfinder without getting wobbly. So I find that I must do most of my photography from a seated position. For that reason so I can do photography outdoors other than from a car seat I bought a used electric power wheelchair from a gentleman who did not want it any longer. He has manual wheelchairs and a scooter.

Anyway, I've too thought of mounting a tripod head to my chair somehow so I don't have to set up a conventional tripod. One of my issues is I have arthritis in my hands so it is hard for me to handhold and manipulate my DSLRs and SLRs. I've also thought of switching from my Pentax DSLRs to Fuji MILCs. Sadly due to my loss of strength and hand pain a Full Frame (Pentax K-1 or K-1ii) is out of the question for me. So I have been thinking about how I might attach a "bar" or two to my chair and a tripod head to that. I do know a Photographer and Instructor who also is a machinist for a custom Tripod Head company. Perhaps he could suggest something or even build me something. I have also been experimenting with using a RF Remote Shutter Release. This might be used handheld or with a tripod. All the extra gear to take longer to set up. So I would be interested in any solutions you find for your associate.

When I was taking Adult Ed photo classes there was an elderly fellow in a few of my classes who was wheelchair bound who I believe had Parkinson's Disease and could not keep his camera steady. So when he tried shooting assignments like or similar to other students his images were very often blurred. One of the instructors thought of and made what should have been an obvious suggestion for him. Always shoot at a relatively high shutter speed with VR / SR whatever turned on and of course use a higher ISO. Yes, this might restrict him to his own assignments and to develop his own style, but 1/15 sec is out of the question for him. When younger I used to often shoot at 1/30 s to 1/8 s with 35mm to 20mm lenses with film. These days I can not hold things so steady. So my classmate should find subjects that work for him with less depth of field and he might consider faster prime lenses. I hope we can follow your request.

bleirer

Good on you for doing the project. If the photographer is able to hold the camera and press the shutter, I'd say turn on the image stabilization and max out the shutter speed, even if you have to crank up the ISO. If not would they be able to use a harness of the kind used for using telephoto lenses handheld.

Also assistive technology is a special ed. subspeciality, in the us most areas have assistive technology consults via regional resource centers for special education, you probably have a similar situation, where someone would assess and offer solutions. Check out abledata, I found it a useful place to start. http://aem.cast.org/navigating/assistive-technology-resources.html#.XQ4douwpBxA

SoftLights Loc: New Orleans, LA

What a generous project John, I applaud you as well. I'm something of a tinkerer/scrounger/fabricator and have an 85 year old uncle in a wheelchair that I'm planning to visit in a few weeks. I'll take a look at his chair and see what I can come up with. Another option may be to use a tripod with a boom that extends in front of the photographer eliminating contact with the chair all together.

bleirer

Perhaps a strong bungee of the right tension and size passed through the arms of the chair and connected with a threaded rod or bolt to the tripod mount, allowing resistance to help stabilize.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

John, I admire you and your colleagues from from Marlow C.C. (U.K.) have undertaken that project with a local charity to help some of these people who have expressed a willingness to 'learn' photography.

My suggestion would be a Monopod that can be bungeeing corded to a wheel chair and removed when required.

bleirer

from abledata:
https://abledata.acl.gov/product/camera-support

https://abledata.acl.gov/product/wheelchair-camera-mount-0

https://abledata.acl.gov/product/custom-adaptation-camera

https://abledata.acl.gov/product/birdie-buddy

https://abledata.acl.gov/product/camera-holder-2-0

https://abledata.acl.gov/product/adapted-camera-mount-tripod-and-pan-tilt-functions-wheelchair-bound-photographer

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

Look at bicycle and motorcycle shops.
They have a lot of accessories for securely clamping onto 7/8" and 1" tubing.
A Gopro kinda thing and a remote might work.
I've seen a few places advertising camera monitors so the model can watch.
And/or the photog.

SonyBug

Yes.

dbfalconer Loc: Salida CO

What a great collection of possibilities! Good resource for many options.

Leitz Loc: Solms

I hope you get well soon, John.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I applaud you and your camera club for taking this on.
Good luck.
Mark

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

I don't have the shake problem yet, but depending upon where the supports are on the chair frame,my first solution would be a monopod and some screw type hose clamps. Easy to mount and release and not very dxpensive.

Good luck!