Photographing out of my comfort zone

I traveled from my home in Texas to my daughter’s in New Jersey this year end to rejoice in the birth of a grandchild and to spend some time with my other grandchildren. We went out and about to parks and other places. That’s when I discovered how difficult it is to press the shutter button wearing a glove and how the strap can get in the way when I rotate the camera to portrait position.

That's how I feel when someone hands me their phone to take their photo with.

That's how I feel when someone hands me their phone to take their photo with.

 

When people hand me their phone after asking if I could take their picture, I say "Sure!"

 

I then make the photo, look at their phone for a second or two, and say, "Hey, that's a really nice phone - thanks!" And then walk away with it for a few seconds.

 

Always a crowd pleaser...

I'm one of the 2% that doesn't own a cell phone. I've just recently figured out which side to point at the people.

Glove - get a fisherman's or Shooter's glove - end of dexterity problem. Strap - For me Black Rapid Wrist Strap solves the awkward strap issue. In comparison to others I have heard, these are enviable "problems" .

I'm one of the 2% that doesn't own a cell phone. I've just recently figured out which side to point at the people.

Make that 3%.

Congratulations on your newest grandchild!

 

I use a single-shoulder sling strap which I find easier to use than a neck strap.

If I need to wear gloves when taking photos (or - especially - playing sax), I have a DIY pair of fishermans/hunters gloves: a cheap, thin pair of woollen gloves with the fingertips cut off:).

I have a couple pairs of tactical (shooting) gloves, one thin like a liner, and the other with insulation. The fingers are thin enough you can operate the camera without cutting the tips. They worked well in Iceland, where the temperature in March hovered between 20F and 32F. I carry better gloves for warmth, but the tactical gloves will keep the sting off.

 

I prefer a sling strap, but have never had difficulty keeping a strap out of the way when shooting. Keep your hand around the upper strap so it doesn't get in your way. If it's attached to the bottom plate (e.g., a sling strap), you don't even need to bother with that.

Similar to Ed, if it's really cold outside, I wear glove liners inside loose fitting ski gloves or mittens. To take a photo, or remove the camera from it's case, I just pull one hand out of it's glove, but still in it's glove liner, while holding the camera or case with the fully gloved hand. It helps to wear a parka with pockets big enough to easily hold the removed glove or mitten.

I think, the best solution would be the gloves that are specially made for operating touchscreen phones (look for gloves with the picture of a phone in superstores). These have specially designed fingertips that facilitate tapping with precision. They work well for pressing the shutter and to a lesser extent changing the settings. Not all of them are made equally well though. The good ones should be thin and body (hand) hugging, at the same time insulating and wind resistant. I had a pair of those that worked really well, before I lost them on a trip. They were expensive ($35 10 years back).