Photographers must be right-handed

A few days ago, I was looking at a digital camera advertisement placed in a popular photography magazine. As I admired the number and placement of controls, on the camera, an odd thought occurred to me. All of the main camera controls were oriented on the right side of the camera body. Shutter release, shutter speed and aperture selection, all on the right side of the body.The ergonomic grip was fashioned for right-handed control and comfort.

I considered each of the digital cameras I own. All were designed with a right-handed user in mind. I quickly paged through the magazine, searching for an exception to my discovery.

Mastering camera controls, so that settings can be made by mere touch, is a skill one must learn through constant practice. As a right-handed photographer of many years, I have yet to master my camera controls to the degree I would like. I have the advantage of using a camera that was basically designed for me, the right-handed photographer.

How counter-intuitive this must all seem to the left-handed photographer.