[Reader-users] An Introduction And A Question About Positioning Document For Reading

[Pam Drake]

Hello To All,

My name is Pam Drake, and I purchased the Reader a few weeks ago.  Due to a
small problem I got myself into and which was quickly solved with the help
of James Gashel and some sighted friends, I have not been able to practice
as much as I would have liked.  The problem was that somehow I managed to
get the camera in backwards.  No, they say it can't be done; but leave it to
me to be the first one to accomplish something weird!  <sigh>  <lol>  

For the first time last Sunday I was able to get a sighted person to watch
me position the camera and text for reading.  My distance judgment is a bit
off, and I really don't want to have to buy a stand unless absolutely
necessary, as I don't want to compromise the current portability.  

Dave's mother was watching me and helping me position the camera for reading
various pages; one a birthday card, the other a standard sheet.  I used the
view finder to allow her to help me position the camera.  She noticed that,
on at least two occasions, just as I was about to take the picture my hand
moved slightly and the focus was lost.  I was unaware of this.  Once I got a
very good reading, another time not so good.  Dave's mother was very
impressed, but came away with the impression that positioning the Reader can
be tricky.  With my distance judgment I know it may be a little rougher for
me than for some, but I'm determined to learn to take good pictures.  

Does anyone have any suggestions to help me gauge judgment and focus?  I
have been told that the field of view report, while a good tool, isn't a
truly accurate predictor of how the picture and ultimate quality of the
resulting text will turn out.  I would really be interested in anyone's
suggestions.  I have been reading the list and know that people are using
the machine successfully, and I am a rather proficient Optacon user; so I am
looking forward to doing so myself.  

Many thanks in advance, and I want to thank my friend Shannon for giving me
some pointers, and Cindy for showing me the Reader for the first time.