Photography and Parkinsons Disease.

Parkinsons SA Photography Group and SALA 2020

For the last 5 years I have been involved with a group of photographers who all have Parkinson's Disease.
I myself do not have the condition but was encouraged to get involved with the group by a friend,Lyndone Radbone who had the disease.
Lyndon was great encourager who sadly died over a year ago now.
I first met him many years ago when he was a top table tennis player.
He knew I was a keen photographer and told me I should get involved with the group.
So I did.
I have been a regular member of the group since then and have found these guys very inspiring.
All of them have a keen interest in photography and have different levels of skill.
We go on regular outings and have monthly meetings but since the Covid lockdown we have had regular zoom meetings.
 Each year in South Australia there is an art exhibition that encompasses various genres in art including photography and painting etc.
It is called the South Australian Living Artists festival.
For more information about SALA follow the link below.
https://www.salafestival.com/2020-artist-participation/
 This year the event will be held entirely on line and starts from the 1st August.
When we are up and running I will post the link to the gallery here.

https://www.artsteps.com/view/5f23bf4e7db25f0c57c30523

Our photography group is taking part and we will be having an online walk through gallery.
If anyone in South Australia has this condtiion and would like to be involved in our photography group then please contact me on 0417867476

When it starts I will notify where you can see our work.
So watch this space.

Parkinsons SA Art Exhibition now on.

This exhibition was opened today.
A wonderful display of Art, Creative Writing and Photography.

Parkinson's Art Exhibition. 2018

Please note the details below of the soon to be held art exhibition consisting of work done by people who suffer from Parkinson's disease.
There will be paintings,sketches,creative writing and photography.

I am involved with the photography group but do not have the disease myself.

Don't miss the wonderful work on display.

Wittunga Botanical Gardens Adelaide.

Recently, in Autumn, Parkinsons SA Photography group ventured to Wittunga Botanical Gardens.

We are a group of mainly Parkinson's Disease sufferers who love photography.

We meet once a month on either outings or in Parkinsons SA  Headquarters for sharing our work and learning from each other.

I myself do not have Parkinson's Disease.

It was a warm day in Adelaide, unseasonally hot for Autumn.

However we had a nice time of fellowship and image capture.

People with Parkinson's disease who want to join the group should contact Parkinsons SA.

Here are some pics.

Re-Visiting Parkinsons South Australia

Today I had the privilege of attending as a guest at the Parkinson SA Group Photography Interest Group.
I was able to share with the group some thoughts on night photography and a few other ideas.

We looked at some of their recent work and the quality was very good considering the difficulties that go with the Parkinson's Disease condition.

My Friend Heather also came and offered her valuable  assistance by keeping me on track with the aims of the group.

See a link below to the Parkinsons SA website.

http://www.parkinsonssa.org.au/support/groups/recreational-groups.aspx

The group produced a 2016 calendar for this year which has proven very popular.
They also conducted a very well received exhibition in 2015.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54370246@N03/sets/72157648061860493

People with Parkinsons or similar movement disabilities and an interest in Photography would find this a helpful group.

They meet monthly.

The co-ordinator for the group is Anne Heard.

Photography for sufferers of Parkinson's Disease

I am in May scheduled to spend some time with a Photography Group that is run by Parkinson's South Australia.
This is for people who suffer from Parkinson's disease.
The group has been running now for some time under the co-ordination of Anne Heard.
I have put together some thought starters for ideas that people might like to pursue in photography,not withstanding the limitations of Parkinson's Disease.

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WAYS TO TAKE CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHS FOR SOMEONE WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Here are some suggestions re techniques and projects that should not be hindered by an unsteady hand or movement.

1.     A bit obvious: use a tripod as much as possible .

2.     Choose subjects that really need you to use a tripod.

3.     Use your flash creatively to freeze action and thereby overcome camera shake.Indoors at night or outside in daylight with high speed flash and high speed flash synchronization.

4.     Use a remote control device.

5.     Extend your photography to video capture.Video is best done utilizing a tripod.

6.     Utilise anti shake lenses and/or anti shake camera bodies.

7.     Choose shutter speeds and lenses that will minimize shake.

8.     Experiment with time lapse photography.A tripod is needed.

9.     Use your disability creatively.Take deliberately blurred photography.There are many examples where this is pleasing to the eye.

10. Create picture books on a mac or at Harvey Norman etc.

11. Create a blog to share you photos and/or sell them.

12. Start your own youtube channel. Share short films and your story to encourage others.

13. Some cameras have focus trapping. Learn how to use it.

14. Investigate wildlife photography with radio triggering cameras.

15. Learn how to use a scanner to resurrect old slides and prints.

16. Prepare slide shows so you can visit places like elderly citizens nursing homes to entertain and inform.

17. Join various online photography groups or start your own.

18. Learn how to paint with light at night using a hand held flash. 
19. Have a small wheat bag or bean bag with you on photography excursions that can be rested on a post or car door to steady your camera.
20. Use the piece of string or rope trick. Attach the string to the bottom of your camera via the tripod socket with a suitable screw(maybe the leather looped grip from an old camera). With string all the way to ground with large washer or piece of wood attached, pull upward on the camera and string to steady your camera.   A "tripod" that fits in your pocket.  
21. Purchase a "gorilla" pod that can wrap around posts etc.