Work environment and ergonomics behind the camera
Heavy bags, long days and harsh light - how to take care of your body and eyesight
Many think a photographer's working day is just about pressing a button. The reality is completely different. You carry heavy equipment stand in awkward positions work in varying light and often spend many hours in front of a screen afterwards. It demands that you take care of yourself.
§The heavy equipment
Camera bodies, lenses, tripods, lamps and bags quickly weigh a lot together. When you drag equipment around on a location or hoist lamps up on tripods all day, you strain your back, shoulders and arms. It is one of the most overlooked sources of wear and tear in the profession.
- 01Use a good bag or trolley so the weight is distributed sensibly.
- 02PLACEHOLDER_102
- 03Pack only the equipment you actually need to use instead of carrying everything.
§Working positions and repetitions
A portrait assignment might mean you're bent forward for hours while a reportage assignment might require you to squat or stretch to get the right angle. The awkward and repeated positions can over time cause problems in the neck shoulders and wrists if you're not careful.
§Eyes and light
You work with lighting all the time - powerful work lights, flash and sharp daylight. It can strain your eyes if you are not aware of it. At the same time, you often sit in dark rooms and look at a bright screen during post-production, which tires your eyes.
§Screen work after recording
Image processing takes up a lot in the modern photography trade. Many hours at a computer can cause the same problems as any other screen work: neck pain, tired eyes and mouse injuries. That is why a good, adjustable workspace with the screen at the right height and a proper chair is just as important as your camera.
§The psychological work environment
Photography work can also be psychologically demanding. Deadlines difficult customers unpredictable tasks and periods of heavy work followed by quiet periods can create stress. Learn to set boundaries plan your time and ask for help if the pressure becomes too great.