Wheelchair Street Photography John Free - Rancho Research Institute

[@mattmitchell6157]

Can't believe I only just found this video. As someone with a spinal cord injury of 20 years I discovered the passion of photography only 3 years ago. This has got me thinking about how to run something of the sort at our local rehab unit.

[@markharris5771]

As a photographer with disabilities, who is supported by a wife who also has disabilities I know what photography can bring to people's lives. I've mentioned elsewhere I wouldn't be comfortable doing street photography with my disabilities, and my wife would kill me if I brought attention to her difficulties. I'd rather be in the country where I can roll off my scooter and crawl in to streams to get my shots with no one seeing. I also want to be known as a photographer who had some difficulties rather than a person with disabilities who took some photographs. There is no right or wrong with disabilities and all choices should be supported, and we are entitled to have the same ambitions as everyone else. I owe photography everything, it keeps me going even though this has been a bit of a rough year and I've only done about 4 rolls of film. It is also important for me to work and support other people with disabilities, that's how I met my wife, so that makes me more tired and when I'm off work I'm usually in bed. I spend at least one full day in bed every weekend, but not through choice and I'm never up later than 5.00pm. So I need the photography to try and keep me going and when summer comes I may be able to get out more. It also brings a connection with the world only photographers understand and it's a brilliant equaliser. If you look at an image you judge whether you like it or not purely on the image itself, you usually have no idea of the photographer's colour, sexuality, gender, age, disabilities or religion and long let it remain so. Thank you for this video.

[@andrewfrost8866]

John Free, you are a true gentleman. God bless you.

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Thank you Andrew. Mr. Deeno DeSantiago deserves most of the credit. He spent many hours filming and then carefully editing this piece down to less than eight minutes. The Rancho Research Institute wanted us to produce a video of less than eight minutes. So much information has been provided in this very brief video, which is a result of the great work Deeno performed on the piece. I am very happy to play a small part in the production of it.

[@thrillhouse_vanhouten]

When I woke up this morning I wasn't expecting to learn how someone in a wheelchair gets in and out of their own vehicle. That was really, really interesting. Thank you for keeping that part in the video!

[@tommywanderer2627]

That lady with wheel chair done a good job, i call it real power, respect.

You have a BIG HEART John Free!!! The world need more people like you. Thank you for making a difference...

[@craigcanoe3]

John Frere, My mother was a polo patient at Ranchofrom 1952 to about 1954 when she was flown by the Airforce to Indianapolis to be with her mother. My earlest memories of her are visting Rancho with my paternal grandmother on sundays Thank you for this vidieo..

[@tobroken1965]

That was to short! I hope there will more to this. Awesome work!

[@MMYYSSYYMM]

I could not wait less than a gentleman and great person as JhonFree. A big hug, teacher.

[@rollingnome]

I'll never take getting into a car easily for granted again. Hats off.

[@avirupchatterjee7151]

if anyone has ever been able to talk some sense to me. Its you sir. the one and only mr. john free.

[@tirtahahaha]

It’s amazing to see how people adapt with their condition. Solution that created by the combination of the car, wheelchair, and the condition itself is really amazed me. And made me realize how good is the human ability to adapt

[@jagatic]

Wow, wonderful just tears of joy watching this!

[@JohnFreePhtography]

For me too. I have witnessed great strength and determination, mixed with devotion, ambition and execution in the making of photographs by these remarkable photographers. These special individuals cause tears of joy to rain from these old eyes mixed with a wide smile and a trembling heart. What a wonderful place I find myself in, when I am photographing with them.

[@kiykim277]

Always love what you are doing Mr. Free. There is no limit in Art! Thank you Sir!

[@AngeloNardoniphoto]

A greeting and appreciation from Rome, Italy.

[@kingphil1969]

Who the actual f**k gave this the thumbs down? John Free is the word.

[@irishmaninflorida1608]

I really needed this today!! John, I have watched your videos before talking about your experiences photographing homeless people and train riders by the rail yards. You have always spoke to me as both a person and a photographer. And I thank you. I am a person with a Spinal Cord Injury, and my passion is photography. Today I'm shooting with a F2. I know you're a Nikon person! Safe travels sir and again thank you❤

[@johnilko2964]

I admire the determination, and some mighty fine art work.

[@igorgofman]

Wow. You do good with your camera. Amazing. You truly help to this people, thank you, John!!

[@MeAlexSenna]

This man a real legend, thanks a lot for inspiring all of us, not just to go out there and shoot more often but to be more human and aware of our surroundings. Thanks

[@Rambleswithmycameraonyoutube]

Great video everyone :-) The guys are kicking ass getting out there and doing it while others who may not have the same restrictions with the chairs, so many are sitting indoors or walking about moaning n groaning that they haven't the right MP camera or the right brand of camera etc and they are talking about photography instead of shooting. Well done to John and the photographers and staff at Rancho Research Institute I loved this video guys :-) Sending Love from Ireland -♥ Sean

[@ToddHales]

Please John, more...

[@jlid1]

Great video of a great thing!! It left me wanting to see more! I love what you do John Free!!!

[@ozymet]

John Free, I love you.

[@andrew_ep_curtis]

John you are back! (Well.... back with some KZbin content). I can't stop watching your stuff. A true inspiration. There are only a handful of people who encourage me to get out and make images, you are one of the. Through your videos I have learned so much! Keep being amazing!

[@acesofgambit]

God bless you sir John Free

[@writerman242]

Inspiring Humbling Heart warming You're right John street photography as you practice it IS truly a high form of art And ditto to all these other comments

Wow! Great video! Would love to see more and maybe some of the photos. Thanks for sharing how passion for photography is so much more than just snaps; it's art, it's life.

[@paulpiasecki]

John, great video, very moving. Keep up the inspiring work!

[@GarnettLeary]

You Sir are a true inspiration and I thank you.

[@AmazzalAbderrahman]

Hello John, thanks for yours vidéos about street photography :) Thanks from Morocco

[@captainmargaret6235]

Lovely video

[@tempest01100]

Interesting video, John, thanks for posting. As a full time wheelchair user, shooting street, I would be more interested if those people experience the same major problem as me - losing the best candids due to the difficulty in remaining inconspicuous.

[@JohnFreePhtography]

I know it is difficult to be invisible. Try my 15 degree offset, where you are not facing subjects. Make believe you are interested in something else. Never make eye contact and always have a smile on your face. Keep at it and enjoy the power that photography gives one to make images that provide insight and loving understanding to those who view your images.

[@tempest01100]

Good, sound advise, John. Thank you for coming back so promptly. The main issue is, though, if anyone spots a wheelchair within a fairly wide radius it automatically and immediately grabs their attention. Although, as you suggest, a smile goes a very long way. Keep up the good work,. Paul

[@brin57]

Yes Paul, great point. I too am a wheelchair user shooting street @Bri_man57 and as you say, we are spotted even before the camera comes into the picture. As much as I like 24 - 30 on my APS-C, I've gone back to a fast 50mm so as to be able to get shots before being spotted. It's a bit zoom but not quite sniping.

[@lancmac]

Great work

[@gilles3574]

simplement magnifique, MERCI

[@davidcarex161]

Right on, brother. Down to the core.

[@Bogdiv]

This is incredible!

[@user-ok1mi3pw5w]

Incredible!

[@JohnFreePhtography]

life can be incredible for all who pick up the camera which can become a magic lamp. We rub the lamp with our hearts and a pure love for mankind and then the good things start to come out of the lamp and spiral upward to that good place where our eyes show us the love and the human devotion that is pure because the visual kiss is handed to all the world to see and to feel and to be lifted by it to that fine place. All of us can rise to this fine place in ourselves. The camera is the lamp. The hands that hold the lamp cause it to come to life. The heart and the pure thougt guide and point the camera to the good place. The soul pushes the button on the camera and all is good and right in the world because of it.

[@TiffanyLAWard]

Mr. Free I feel so inspired right now, I recently moved here in the USA and I've loved photography for a while but I've mostly been taking photos with my mobile phone with no formal training in photography as a wheelchair user I found it difficult in my former home country to go out and take photos and now that I'm here I would love to know if you are aware of places in NYC that offers photography therapy that I could get in contact with

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Hi Tiffany. Sorry for the huge delay in answering your question. I would get intouch with the International Center pf Photography in Central Park. Perhaps they can help.

[@nati22love]

I like your vids so so much

[@ashishkotian2048]

does he still works with films ? big fan btw learned a lot from you thnaku

[@FoxKoit]

Cool....I like it...it is cool video :)

[@brent847]

I wish they had that where I live in Wenatchee wa. at this point I'm emotionally numb and waiting to die.

[@JohnFreePhtography]

Hey Brent, Life can get us down. The camera can get us up. We can leave the body and the bad to go through the lens into a fine place, where there is only good. The mind and the heart can be set FREE and allowed to wonder and to find the goodness that our soul leads us to. The camera and a pure heart combined with a will to show greatness has picked me up from the low in life to a high place where life shines for me. The photos will lift you up and make you big and with a power to kiss life and all those who see and feel your greatness that has come from your heart and soul and smiling mind to give out from the camera to the world with a kiss and a smile of knowing that the bad can be left behind and the mind can soar to a fine place of love and giving and we all have this chance. I am with you in this spirit and we are together as buddies who look together towards this greatness that a camera and an inside smile can provide for us and for all men and women who might be a little down, but maybe be brought up smiling after seeing what you and I and the camera have made for them.

[@TimBinns68]

Hey John, do you know any more about the girl at the end of the video. Name or social media info. I'd like to learn more about her.

[@JohnFreePhtography]

I will look into it and try to connect you. Be carefull with that Merc outboard.

[@TheMishupo]

beutifull

[@iainmacdonald7034]

👏👏👏

[@edubassplayer2]

one soulness dude didn't like this video

[@GSXRtc9209]

When I saw her put that wheelchair in the car with only taking one wheel off.... my thought, excuse the language.. f me! ( I've taken off double the wheels that I had to )