Photography from a wheelchair

[Steve Tarrant]

Hi all

many of you already know me as the marshal that survived the Goodwood accident, and see me at Thruxton and other venues.

I am also a very keen photographer, and currently use a Sony DSC HD1 digital camera on days when I'm not working!!!! A few examples of pictures I have taken are below.

Now I know I can't get up on the bank like my fellow 2 legged friends (puns deliberately intended!!!!!) but can someone suggest how I can get into places to photograph without being bashed in the head by handbags and camera bags, which in a wheelchair are also at head height to me!!!! Goodwood FoS in the past has been a prime example, where I have been jostled out of the way with no apology whatsoever.

Maybe press type days would be better for me, but how do you find out when they are? Is there a circulation of information sent around the professionals that I can also tap into?

If you can provide any info that can help me, I would very much appreciate this.

Yours, in motorsport



Steve

[Elio]

Steve,

Reading your post reminded me of another poster on a digital photography forum which I try to browse every now and again. His name is Stuart Rider. Here is a link to a thread he started a few years back with regard to the ChampCars at Brands....

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...essage=5045816

(read through, - he makes reference to his circumstances).

Here is his pbase gallery...

http://www.pbase.com/srider

It looks as though he mightn`t be shooting that much motorsport recently, however he could be worth contacting. I remember seeing him at Brands a few years back (well, I assume it was him) and was really quite impressed by his results given his disabilities and the way he was having to shoot.

[Jaxs]

OK, different problem, let's consider what the snags are and go from there...

Mobility, able to climb and secure a position, solution, specific areas that suit your mode of transport,

With a more ameniable attuitude by the authorities is it possible to write to the organisers and ask if there are any areas that could be suitable. The huge investment in public life has almost created a level playing field, ( sorry about the pun) but the access and moveability have improved enormously over the last ten years

The facilities at concert halls, festivals and sports venues favours your dispostion, would it be feasible for areas to be set aside, the answer to that has got to be a big yes, the more people involved and a broader appeal has got to be a plus for any promoter.

Just pause and consider the para olympic,

Equipment, use of the wheelchair as a base for mounts added extensions to give a more secure and, almost tripod fixings, if you feel like desiging some gizmos.. there has got to be a market and a suitable manufacturer...

Cameras and lens, with mounts for better security, longer lens and digital..

Would it be possible for a pit walk and the oppotunity to take photographs of drivers, etc instead of being restricted to the speeding car.. the possiblilties
are endless but you are going to need a few letters and some good PR to get someone moving.

What ever happens , good luck and start posting the pixs.