Photography as a hobby - problem?

Kine

I want to pick up photography as a hobby, using DLSR (the bigger types of camera).

I have removed 13 lymph nodes, so might be at risk for lumphedema, will holding a camera provoke my arm?

Does anyone here do photography even having lymphedema?

Thanks in advance for your feedback! 

Member_of_the_Club

Not a photographer and I hope someone who knows a thing or two about that will come along, but i will tell you that my LE therapist says we should not refrain from the activities that make us complete (her words) but rather find a safe way to do them.  It might be a good idea to see an LE therapist and discuss how you can do this safely but please don't let the potential from LE stop you from trying this hobby.

BoobsinaBox

Kine,

I have very mild LE and had put off getting a DSLR camera because of both that and arthritis in my hands.  Last fall Sony introduced two new cameras that are smaller and lighter weight but have the larger sensor and instead of moving a mirror out of the way, they are direct, but they take excellent photos.  I got the A-33 which is 14 megapixels and no GPS, and my dh got the A-55 which has GPS and 16 megapixels.  They are heavier than our old digital cameras, but they are lighter and smaller than regular DSLRs, so unless you already have one of those, it makes a nice solution.  I try not to stress the arms and hands, though sometimes I have a hard time stopping a photo shoot when the spring flowers are just blooming at the park or I'm on a beach!

Dawn 

Celtic_Spirit

I have mild lymphedema in my right (and dominant) arm. Photography has been one of my hobbies and part of my job for many years. I take a camera nearly everywhere with me, including hikes, the beach, the zoo, etc. Often I take a tripod and video camera as well. The weight is nothing compared to what I lift at the gym! Photography hasn't had a negative impact on my lymphedema.

I just entered three photos in a contest and am preparing another seven and some digital art (Photoshop-enhanced pictures) for another show in June. I can't imagine giving up photography!

moogie

Use a tripod if you think the camera will be too heavy! GO FOR IT! ART SAVES LIVES!

hymil

Definitely tripod; and depending the terrain where you go to, you could consider using a golf trolley for carting all the gear around. Live your life!!

BoobsinaBox

Tripods are really helpful in many settings, and when they aren't, just take it slow and work your way up.

Dawn 

LindaLou53

I've been a serious amateur photographer for more than 30 years and am not about to give it up now!  I do use a tripod when needed and have yet to purchase my dream digital SLR but do appreciate the much lighter materials used nowdays in cameras.  All the years I shot with a non-digital SLR using standard slide and infrared film I would manage the lenses, filters, flashes, cables and cleaning supplies by wearing multi-pocketed fishermen/sportsmen vests that allowed me to distribute the weight more evenly across my body.  When that wasn't enough a standard luggage cart worked for strapping my other bags together and pullng behind me as I climbed park trails up to beautiful vistas and lookout points.

I DO have lymphedema now but rarely go anywhere without my basic digital camera.  For someone planning to go with a full SLR system and multiple lenses I would only suggest that you maintain your awareness of the degree of strain you are putting on your body.  Plan ahead and find ways to limit or completely avoid constant weight on a single arm or shoulder.  Depending on the type of photography you want to do, know that getting into certain "awkward"  positions for that perfect shot, whether it means lying on the ground, crouching behind a Joshua tree or clinging to rocks on the edge of a precipice, may present more risk to your lymphedema than the actual gear itself!

If you are already an old hand at photography then you understand the reasons behind why you want to go the SLR route and all the additional options that can give you.  If you are truely new to photography as a hobby then I might suggest you start out with a high end non-SLR digital camera.  The technology today is so amazing compared to 10-15 years ago.  You might find that your desire for photography can be satisfied quite happily with much less gear. 

One of the biggest reasons people go to SLRs is for the variety of focal lengths available in the different lenses, aperture range, better quality of the ground glass lenses and larger sensors for higher image quality. These are significant factors if you plan to go professional or want to blow up and frame 16 x 20 images.   If you really want to carry around those gigantic zoom lenses that require their own carry bag then you may need to particularly exercise caution. Those are pretty much the domain of professional sports and landscape photographers for their extreme zoom capability.

What has been so exciting for me to see in photography these last few years is the dramatic improvement of the "point and shoot" consumer digitial cameras.  They have become amazingly good in their feature set, with many of the higher end point and shoots offering both automatic and manual exposure settings, video capability plus the biggest selling point for me which is an OPTICAL zoom feature upwards of 12x or greater.

For most hobbyists a good digital non-SLR with high optical zoom and good quality lens would be the place to start and then determine whether your desires tend more towards the professional output capability.  I don't believe there is any increased risk in developing LE when using a typical non-SLR camera and actually minimal risk if using a true SLR.  The bottom line is the amount of sustained weight you try to carry, the prolonged muscle strain when shooting for long periods of time and the environmental exposure to heat, insect bites, poison ivy, cuts, scrapes etc...

Photography is a fantastic hobby, by all means pursue it to whatever level is right for you....just plan ahead and start out slow purchasing your gear until you are sure just how high end you really want to go.....and HAVE FUN!! 

P.S.  one of the best and most comprehensive sites around for digital camera reviews is DP Reviews.  You will find a ton of good info there:  http://www.dpreview.com/

barbe1958

I  have a lens so long that it forced me to buy a mono-pod. A one-legged tripod! That is what has been my saving grace. I use the mono-pod for quick shots and walking around. I can use it like a cane almost to support the weight of the camera. (The mono-pod holds a lens or a camera - same heel lock) I use my DH to carry my lens bag, but I have a smaller "back pack" idea that has a belt. The belt makes all the difference in the world as it doesn't pull down on my shoulders when I belt it! It has a quick on/off for one shoulder too. Rather than buy the extra large battery block that would allow me to flip my camera on it's side too, I just bought an extra battery. Much less weight, not as cool looking () but it does the job.

Have fun!

Kine

Thank you so much for your responses, really encouraging reading .

I have not been using an DSLR before, and I am considering a micro 4/3 to reduce size and weight (looking at Panasonic GH2).

I think photography could be a positive hobby for me during this cancer journey, to keep me focused on here and now, and the beauty of the present moment.