a scooter's eye view Photo Gallery by Patricia Lay-Dorsey at pbase.com

a scooter's eye view

Ever since I got serious about photography, I've tried to keep my mobility scooter out of my frames. Whenever my basket or control panel happened to appear in an image, I would crop it out. No, that's not entirely true. Now I remember that I did allow it to show in a series of self portraits I called, "Able or not, here I come." But except for that, my scooter has been the invisible partner in my work as a photographer. To be honest, without it I'd be sitting at home.

Wednesday (4/9/08) I spent some time reading David Alan Harvey's blog, "Road Trips," in particular his April 6th entry and the dozens of comments posted in response. You may recall that I'll be taking Harvey's workshop, "The Photographic Essay," in Charlottesville, VA in June. There must have been something about the way he and his photographer friends discussed photography that got me thinking about my invisible partner. Long and short is that, instead of continuing to ignore my scooter, I decided to do a series of photos in which it would take center stage. After all, I see this control panel every minute of every day; it's time I showed you how that looks.

Page One takes you into my kitchen before we go for a ride around the block on Wednesday afternoon. Page Two begins Friday morning as I prepare for the day's adventures. Then my stair glide takes me downstairs where scooter #2 waits like a horse in the stable. Why don't you come along? It's going up to 70 degrees F/21 C today! Try using the slideshow (upper right corner of your screen) to get the best ride.

pages 1 2 ALL

pages 1 2 ALL

comment |

bill friedlander		08-May-2008 20:02
Wow. Terrific idea, using a scooter. Beats wlking around for hours on end. And you got some interesting shots here.

mikiruaq		12-Apr-2008 15:57
Thanks for the ride!! We all need a ride sometimes even if it is just to illustrate a different perspective.

Guest		12-Apr-2008 05:55
A photojournalistic approach to your life, Patricia. I find it very useful for you and for the others to have done this.

Curt G.		11-Apr-2008 21:41
There's a valuable story (lesson) for all of us in this portfolio, both lessons for living, and lessons for making photos. Interesting what we are willing to include and exclude, in our minds and in our art. On a photocritique site I often see suggestions that someone should either delete or not include things like, for example, utility poles. As if there were a rule that somehow all landscapes have to be idealized and unmarred by human activity, particularly landscapes that show the story of cities, towns, and human habitation. I'm going to have to think about what else we as photographers have been conditioned to leave out of our pictures. Gee, you haven't even been to the workshop and already you're expanding your perspectives.... Exciting. I, too, thank you for the ride.

Pat Shawyer		11-Apr-2008 06:44
I'm enjoying the ride too, Thanks Patricia !!!

Carolyn Rasmussen		11-Apr-2008 05:23
Thank you for the tour! How thoughtful of you to give us a ride.

click on thumbnails for full image

Type your message and click Add Comment

It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest. Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help	private comment

Type your message and click Add Comment

It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest. Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help	private comment