Month: January 2022

Danger! Tips for Photographers

January 11, 2022 Cathy MobleyLeave a comment Techniques

It’s important to be safe when you’re out and about shooting portraits. Photographers can’t always control the environment in which they shoot, but that doesn’t mean they should put themselves in danger! Here are some safety tips for photographers:

Be careful when crossing the street.

When crossing a street, always look both ways before stepping out into traffic. Make sure to cross at intersections and use crosswalks whenever possible.

Watch out for cars.

When shooting in a busy area, always be aware of the traffic around you. Don’t stand in the middle of the road to take a picture!

Be careful when using props.

If you’re using props while shooting, be sure to use them safely. Watch out for sharp edges or points that could cause injury.

Look out for low-hanging branches.

Shooting in the woods or other areas where trees are present? Watch out for low-hanging limbs! They could hit you, your subject, or even damage your camera equipment.

Watch out when climbing rocks and ledges.

If you’re shooting on top of a rock formation or ledge, be extremely careful about where you’re stepping. One wrong move could result in a nasty fall.

Stay away from dangerous animals.

If you’re shooting in an area where there are potentially dangerous animals, be sure to keep your distance! Don’t try to get too close for that perfect shot – it’s not worth the risk.

Use common sense.

Above all, use common sense when you’re shooting. If something feels wrong or unsafe, don’t do it!

Be aware of your surroundings.

Always be aware of the environment around you and who is in that environment with you. This includes potential hazards such as dangerous animals or busy streets. When crossing a street always look both ways before stepping in.

Stay safe! Always make safety your number one priority when you’re out shooting portraits. These are just a few of the most important things to keep in mind while photographing, but there’s more information available online about staying safe as a photographer. Be sure to research other photographers’ tips for keeping yourself and others around you safe while shooting.

Joint and Muscle Pains Photographers Face: How to Deal with Them

January 11, 2022 Cathy MobleyLeave a comment Techniques

As a photographer, it’s not uncommon for you to experience joint and muscle pains. These can be caused by the repetitive motions of your arm and shoulder as you take pictures with long lenses or tripods. Photographers may also develop carpal tunnel syndrome from spending hours behind a computer editing photos, or they could have neck pain due to the weight of their camera gear.

It is important that photographers learn how to prevent these physical pains before they become an issue. The following blog post will discuss types of joint and muscle pains that photographers face, as well as provide tips on how best to deal with them!

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

Description: Carpel tunnel is an entrapment of the median nerve, which travels through your wrist and into your hand. It can cause pain in any one or more of these areas along the path it takes.

Symptoms include numbness, tingling, burning sensation in fingers &/or hands (usually thumb to little finger), and pain in the wrist.

Physical Tips:

  • Wear a brace when you’re experiencing symptoms or if you think it may be coming on (it can make your symptoms worse before better). – Stop what you are doing to give yourself time to rest & heal. If necessary, take breaks of at least five minutes every hour while you are working on a computer. – Keep your shoulders back and down, elbows at chest level in front of you while using a mouse or touchpad, make sure wrists aren’t turned inwards. Don’t grip items that require pinching with thumb & index finger for long periods of time.
  • Try to avoid sitting with arms crossed when shooting.
  • Keep your neck in line with spine (don’t look down when taking photos).

Physical Therapy/Exercises:

  • Use a computer without strain for at least 20 minutes everyday if possible; try to break up usage into smaller blocks of time throughout the day, and take regular breaks.
  • Stretch out fingers & wrists for at least five minutes.
  • Make a fist with one hand and place it over your opposite wrist, holding this position until you feel the stretch &/or tension release. Repeat on other side of body.

Arthritis

Description: This is a disorder that affects the joints, and it can also cause pain in other areas of your body. Symptoms include stiffness, swelling or redness in one or more joints (especially hands), loss of function in a joint.

Physical Tips:

  • Keep your blood sugar levels under control if you have diabetes/impaired glucose tolerance; uncontrolled blood sugar can worsen symptoms.
  • Use assistive devices as needed (canes, walkers, braces).
  • Ice the affected joint for 15 minutes every four to six hours; if you have swelling, use a cold pack or ice wrap. Limit heat exposure to the area.

Physical Therapy/Exercises:

  • Exercise regularly (especially strengthening exercises), and weight train (avoid using weights that cause pain). Warm up your muscles before exercising.
  • Alternate hot and cold showers; do this for 15 minutes, several times a day if you can.
  • Wear supportive shoes or foot braces as needed; check with podiatrist &/or doctor to ensure safety of high heels.
  • Gently move the joint through its range of motion.
  • Take a supplement such as glucosamine chondroitin sulfate, which helps to rebuild cartilage and improve joint function.
  • If you are in pain, take over the counter antiinflammatory medication (such as ibuprofen) to help relieve pain.
  • Use moist heat or a heating pad to help ease pain & stiffness in the affected joint(s).
  • Do gentle range of motion activities that don’t cause you discomfort.