Photography is Killing You: Bad Habits to Fix Now

We all tend to pick up bad habits over time whether it be technical or physical.  Oftentimes, after a long day of shooting, you may feel wiped out and maybe even a little brain-fried being on-point for so long, but there are likely several other reasons why you're ready to collapse at the end of your work day.  You, your camera bag, and your gear might not be working together effectively.

"Slipped discs, muscle spasms, rotator cuff syndrome, tendinitis and carpal tunnel are just a few of the occupational hazards that can come from lugging around a heavy bag of gear and turning yourself into a human tripod for a living." (Moses)

Now is the time to re-evaluate your shooting habits because you might be one assignment away from a serious injury.  Here is some expert advice on staying pain- and injury-free.


You might select your camera bag based on style or efficiency, maybe even cost, but you also need to consider what's really right for you.  Dr. Gerard Varlotta warns photographers about carrying any bag with an asymmetrical design such as over-the-shoulder and messenger bags.  This causes unbalance, twisting, and tilting.  Backpacks are not necessarily the better choice here either if you pack it with one side heavier than the other.  So, don't overload your bag either.  This, again, will end up causing some asymmetry in how you carry it.  It is recommended that you carry no more than 10% of your body weight in your bag.

The fit of the bag is also very important.  Dr. Varlotta says, “The closer to the body the better.”  Dr. Karen Erickson, DC, another expert, recommends wearing your backpack like this:

• "The backpack should end near your ribs, with the weight being distributed between your shoulder blades.  If the backpack hangs too low on your body you can put a lot of tension on your low back."
• "Look for straps that are wide and padded.  The straps should be snug enough to bring the material of the bag close to your body."
• "A backpack with a waistband that sits on the hips can take stress off the shoulders, neck and low back."

You might also be at a greater risk of potential injuries and ailments if you have bad physical habits such as poor posture, being overweight/not exercising, and smoking.  Here are a few more tips to reduce the development of pains and strains:

• Use rolling bags when possible
• Limit the equipment that you carry around your neck
• Use a monopod with heavier outfits (such as a heavy lens and/or speedlight)
• Wrap your camera strap around your wrist to carry
• Avoid dehydration

"Photographers are just like athletes who need great physical demands and fitness to carry out their job tasks.  They should be fit and healthy in order to prevent/reduce injuries and disability that can limit or end their shooting careers." (Loon)

Sundial Clinics recommends doing a number of stretches either before, during, and/or after your shoot to help reduce the accumulation of muscle tension and fatigue.  These basic stretches are listed below and can be found in detail here.

Neck

• Upper trapezius stretch
• Shoulder stretch
• Chest stretch
• Thoracic stretch                 

Lower Back

• Trunk rotation
• Toe touches
• Wall Roll
• Lateral flexion
• Standing cat stretch

I'm not here to give you a lecture on taking care of your physical health but I do hope that you can take away a few tips to keep yourself safe from long-term injury.  I find it inspiring to think of myself as an athlete with a camera!  To be the best athlete, um, photographer that you can be it is important to do it all right.  Right?  Have you been injured or almost injured taking photos?  Tell me about it in the comments.  

Those crazy positions we get ourselves into and hunching over for long periods of time can take its toll.  Please take care of yourself like you do your equipment (if you're like me).

Works Cited

"A photographer carrying a tripod in silhouette at twilight." Photograph. Encyclopedia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 15 Sep 2014.
<http://quest.eb.com/#/search/137_3089694/1/137_3089694/cite>

"Back Pain Woman." Photograph. Encyclopedia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 15 Sep 2014.
<http://quest.eb.com/#/search/300_346940/1/300_346940/cite>

Loon, Teong Kar. "Common Injuries in Phootographers and How to Prevent Them." ntuchealth. NTUC Health Co-operative Ltd., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2014. <http://www.ntuchealth.com.sg/health_info/common_ailments/common_injuries_in_photographers.php>

Moses, Jeanette D. "Photography is Killing You: Health Tips For Photographers." popphoto. Bonnier Corp., 10 June 2014. Web. 15 Sept. 2014. <http://www.popphoto.com/gear/2014/06/photography-killing-you-health-tips-photographers>

"Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada." Photograph. Encyclopedia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 15 Sep 2014.
<http://quest.eb.com/#/search/137_3122378/1/137_3122378/cite>

"Tips to prevent back and shoulder pains in photographers." sundialclinics. Sundial Clinics, 11 Oct. 2010. Web. 15 Sept. 2014. <http://sundialclinics.co.uk/conditions/backpain/tips-to-prevent-back-and-shoulder-pains-in-photographers/ >

"Young woman stretching in field." Photograph. Encyclopedia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 15 Sep 2014.
<http://quest.eb.com/#/search/154_2894530/1/154_2894530/cite>