Shooting a wedding with a single arm?

[sblais]

Is it possible?

I just sprained my wrist (and I did a good job at it!) and it may even be broken as it's still quite swollen after two days. I just went for X-Rays this morning and should get the results soon, I hope.

Here's what will happen to my weekend's wedding: I have someone that asked to follow me to build his portfolio. He will be there. My wife and assistant will also be there. I will go as well to at least direct all things photography related.

But I'm wondering: can I still shoot? Using a monopod, etc? What's your thoughts on it?

(I hope there isn't too many typos... hate typing with one hand! ;))

[gateruner]

Ill bet you could do it with a monopod and use a prime lens with auto focus. Could get dicy with a zoom and trying to adjust the zoom.

[tim]

I could do it - but i'm made of iron but twice as tough. Have your 2nd shooter close, help them choose angles, and use IS lenses. Bring a 3rd shooter if available. Your skill isn't just in pushing a button, it's knowing where to be, when, who to shoot, etc, you just need communcation skills to pass on the knowledge. Of course then they'll think they know what you know but they'll learn ;)

[Banbert]

Daft as it seems it would probably be easier if it was broken and they stuck it in a cast, although they would possibly stick it in a sling to start with and tell you not to use it for a while, if its sprained they will most likely strap it at most and tell you not to use it ... thats not a medical opinion btw thats just based on my past injuries and what they have done.

I sometimes hold my camera in one hand and shoot with it when its gripped and got the 17-55 F2.8 IS on the body thats possible, dont try it with the 70-200 F2.8 IS though eh matey or you will end up with two strained hands. :)

If you were gonna try it then one of those camera hand straps would help a lot I reckon.

[taygull]

If you are using a 1DMark IIn with a 70-200IS I'd doubt it.

If you are using a 5D with no grip and a 15-77 then I'd say you'd have a good chance.

Be a man...get the needle!!!! A good cortisone shot might help!:lol:

[italianfemmy]

My only concern as I just pictured this in my head is that if by some chance you accidentally drop it with the hand you are holding it with,

either:

A: It might break
or
B: You might use your bum wrist/hand to catch it and injure yourself worse or if you even think it might fall, (it seems a bit off balance) your other hand/wrist might reflex quite quickly and cause you more pain/damage.

[Lin-z]

If you are going to do it make sure you use your neck strap and your grip strap.... wait which had is it? If its your right hand I would say forget it and just direct the other photographer.

Bring some pain pills.

[sblais]

Ill bet you could do it with a monopod and use a prime lens with auto focus. Could get dicy with a zoom and trying to adjust the zoom.

I was actually thinking of prezooming before (a bit wider than not enough) and than take the shot with the other hand. I would use the 17-55.

I could do it - but i'm made of iron but twice as tough. Have your 2nd shooter close, help them choose angles, and use IS lenses. Bring a 3rd shooter if available. Your skill isn't just in pushing a button, it's knowing where to be, when, who to shoot, etc, you just need communcation skills to pass on the knowledge. Of course then they'll think they know what you know but they'll learn ;)

But iron rusts! ;) I never broke anything in my life so far... and got some bad falls... I know about the shooter..., but at least my wife knows my style and knows how I work: she's always there with me.

Daft as it seems it would probably be easier if it was broken and they stuck it in a cast, although they would possibly stick it in a sling to start with and tell you not to use it for a while, if its sprained they will most likely strap it at most and tell you not to use it ... thats not a medical opinion btw thats just based on my past injuries and what they have done.

I sometimes hold my camera in one hand and shoot with it when its gripped and got the 17-55 F2.8 IS on the body thats possible, dont try it with the 70-200 F2.8 IS though eh matey or you will end up with two strained hands. :)

If you were gonna try it then one of those camera hand straps would help a lot I reckon.

Funny thing is when I got the X-Rays, the lady told me it might take up to a week before they can provide my doc with the results, unless there is anything bad... :rolleyes: So, until I have an official confirmation, I can do whatever I want! :D

If you are using a 1DMark IIn with a 70-200IS I'd doubt it.

If you are using a 5D with no grip and a 15-77 then I'd say you'd have a good chance.

Be a man...get the needle!!!! A good cortisone shot might help!:lol:

I'm using Rebel XT's... I guess I only need my pinkies to work them! :lol:

My only concern as I just pictured this in my head is that if by some chance you accidentally drop it with the hand you are holding it with,

either:

A: It might break
or
B: You might use your bum wrist/hand to catch it and injure yourself worse or if you even think it might fall, (it seems a bit off balance) your other hand/wrist might reflex quite quickly and cause you more pain/damage.

That's more like my actual concern, only worded better! I have about a month and a half before my wedding following this one. I'd like to have fully (or almost) recuperate by then... So I don't want to mess things up with this one...

[sblais]

If you are going to do it make sure you use your neck strap and your grip strap.... wait which had is it? If its your right hand I would say forget it and just direct the other photographer.

Bring some pain pills.

Luckily, it's my left hand.

[tim]

Your health is the most important thing, no matter what you do make sure you do the best thing for you.

[italianfemmy]

I agree with Tim. And although I am not a doctor, I do have a lot of experience with going to the doctor. Lol. I am a clutz! But seriously, since it is your concern as well, I would try to get most things done by those you feel are competent enough to help you.

I can just imagine you going in for the shot as the bride is about to say I do and you almost drop the camera but save it with your hurt wrist and scream to the top of your lungs. Not pretty... not pretty at all. lol.

Wish you a fast recovery and good luck with whatever you do :-)

[gateruner]

This is sounding like a broken right arm and that is just going to be a pain to deal with. here is a suggestion. I work with a guy who has those wireless walkie talkies and he gives one out to everyone of his backup shooters. It has an ear plug so no one can hear when he talks. He uses it to communicate to the shooters through out the day within the range of the transmitter, guiding, directing reminding etc. You could do the same thing and be the director and do as stated above. Get everyone in the right place to get the shot you want. Better than chancing broken gear.

[Big Mike]

I took a few courses from an instructor who finally retired, not because of age but because of a condition or illness that caused him to become weak and eventually be wheelchair bound. The point is that he would still 'shoot' weddings...but as a director for the shooters in his small wedding photo business.

You don't seem to be at that point (you could still shoot)...but the point is that you can still use your experience and know-how...you just don't need to hold the camera or shoot all the shots. I think someone mentioned this already...

Good luck!

[sblais]

Thanks for your comments and wishes, Tim, Alicia, Scott and Mike :)

I'll definitively go and practice before the wedding to see how it feels. But like I said, since my busy season is starting in June with weddings many weekends in a row, I don't want to make things worse with this one. I'll definitively be there to direct things if I don't shoot ;)

[CyberPet]

I'd be more worried if it was my left, as that's the hand I put the most weight on and zoom with. The right is just to pull the trigger, more or less.

[sblais]

I can manage that for a while though esp with a grip (I find it helps holding the camera with just one hand). My right arm will just get quite the workout ;) And I won't be using heavy lenses... probably just the 17-55 and the 10-22 (for some "special" shots).

[song4themoon]

Well, what hand did you hurt? If its the right hand then it might be hard as you have to push the shutter all the time, if its the left and you are right handed then I think it would be fine. You can do most of the stuff with the right and bite your way through the rest

[sblais]

It's the left

[italianfemmy]

Sebastien,

You're quite welcome and like I said, I wish you the best of luck. You mentioned that you might go out and practice. Take something nice and cushy with you to place under where your hand will be just incase you can't hold it up. When you go to get an interesting angle shot and have to manipulate the way you hold the camera, while adjusting settings, it might be more difficult than you think.

You could also try to tie your left hand down to a point where you would not be able to use it for stabilization or to catch it, so it prepares you for not being able to use it. :-)

[motogeno]

Slap on a 50 and keep it on autofocus - at least that's what I would try to do

[dpurslow]

I know its not an ideal situation but here are two posibilities,

1. Use your assistant as a tripod, pop the lens over their shoulder.

2. become a director for the day, you choose camera settings, pose the couples but direct the photog how to shoot, they still get your poses and your direction (effectivly your images) you just use someone else to press the button - a little like speilburg

[Chandler.]

POTN member Bandit1 shoots with one hand at all times. ;)


this is his "stump bracket" (as he calls it)

http://s75.photobucket.com/albums/i318/bandit1_2006/?action=view&current=prosthetic-attachment.jpg

[sblais]

Thanks for all your input!

I've practiced last night and it's not too bad to shoot with only one hand. The zoom is the trickiest part, but if I can't zoom with my hand, I'll use my fully functional foot zoom! I'll still use my 17-55mm as it gives me more flexibility than a prime: I can pre-zoom and then take the shot. Plus I'll have 2 assistants/2nd shooters so I should be covered :).

Chandler, I may consider to get my left hand amputated just to try that bracket :p ! But seriously, I'm sure it works fine! I'll go visit you guys in the SMGG soon! ;)

[SuzyView]

Good to hear you can manage. I'd hate to pass up a paying job for a sprain. Now if you broke an arm, that's another story. The pain alone would distract you. With 2 assistants, you should be good to go. Best of luck! Hope you heal quickly.

[picturecrazy]

You are crazy to even consider it. I would be calling up my friends to take over the wedding!!! Yikes! Good luck!

If I were in your boat and determined to shoot, I would take one rebel with the sigma 30 1.4 and the other rebel with the 85 1.8. Therefore you don't need flash to weigh you down, you don't need zoom, and the primes are generally lighter than zooms. The two lengths give you reasonable flexibility. If you are desperate and need fill flash, the popup flash should have plenty enough power if you are wide open or close to it at iso400 and above. Also crank up the iso so you don't ever shoot below 1/200 because holding a camera with one tired hand will give you massive camera shake.

Lifting a camera with a very front heavy lens is one thing... lifting it constantly for 8 hours is a TOTALLY DIFFERENT story!!

let us know how it turns out

[jcpoulin]

On a professional/legal point, do you/should you notify the B&G that indeed you were hurt, and how you plan to remedy the situation. Showing up the day of the wedding and with a limited ability to operate camera and assistants may cause some concern.

[dpurslow]

On a professional/legal point, do you/should you notify the B&G that indeed you were hurt, and how you plan to remedy the situation. Showing up the day of the wedding and with a limited ability to operate camera and assistants may cause some concern.

I think this is more professional that legal, however I totally agree with what you say, its the RIGHT thing to do.

[sblais]

You are crazy to even consider it. I would be calling up my friends to take over the wedding!!! Yikes! Good luck!

If I were in your boat and determined to shoot, I would take one rebel with the sigma 30 1.4 and the other rebel with the 85 1.8. Therefore you don't need flash to weigh you down, you don't need zoom, and the primes are generally lighter than zooms. The two lengths give you reasonable flexibility. If you are desperate and need fill flash, the popup flash should have plenty enough power if you are wide open or close to it at iso400 and above. Also crank up the iso so you don't ever shoot below 1/200 because holding a camera with one tired hand will give you massive camera shake.

Lifting a camera with a very front heavy lens is one thing... lifting it constantly for 8 hours is a TOTALLY DIFFERENT story!!

let us know how it turns out

1. I'm hired for 4 hours.
2. It's an outdoor wedding (can get very high shutter speeds)
3. There are two more people to help me (overkill, but the B&G don't mind, I asked)
4. I know I can pull it off.
5. Yep, I'm a bit of a crazy guy! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_1_11.gif


On a professional/legal point, do you/should you notify the B&G that indeed you were hurt, and how you plan to remedy the situation. Showing up the day of the wedding and with a limited ability to operate camera and assistants may cause some concern.

Done and more than done. I would never consider not informing the B&G of such an important detail. They are fully aware of what is going on and I think that's the only way to go (letting them know, that is).

I think this is more professional that legal, however I totally agree with what you say, its the RIGHT thing to do.

Like I said, done ;)

[Ed Kanney]

Had a full time local pro/studio owner born w/only one arm. He retired from the business after about 30 yrs - mostly used a Mamiya RB 67 - a damn site larger and heavier than any DSLR ever made. He did a great job.

[Bookout]

I do about anything I want with one arm. You will be fine, just shoot enough to get used to it. I have been doing the one armed thing sine 1990... Power Lines.... Book

[GertS]

Good luck with the wedding that things work, no matter whether the arm is broken.

[italianfemmy]

Yeah Sebastien, Good luck and let us know how you do after you are done. :-)

[sblais]

Thanks for the good wishes! :D I'll be posting some pics early next week ;)