Camera Mouth Holder

Ever wanted a 3rd hand to take pictures of yourself doing an instructable step ?

Either you don't have 3 hands (like me), nor a tripod (which can be unpractical in some cases). Asking friends for help until you're satisfied with the shot will surely strain their patience.

This mouth handle will allow you to take point-of-view pictures and let your both hands free.

Step 1: Build it

You will need:
- 1 wood stick
- 1 quite short screw fitting your camera tripod fixation point
- some washers

Steps:
- determine the length from the mouth end to the screw. Approx 7 inches.
- drill a hole for the screw
- use washers to adjust the length: the screw should enter into the camera for about 2 turns only

Step 2: Fix it

Fix it to the camera.

Step 3: Use it

You should use your camera with a strap.

1. Setup your camera, shoot with timer
2. Bite firmly, put your hands in position
3. Wait... 10 seconds can seem a long time...

Step 4: Future

Possible improvements: A stick standing on the chest, to increase stability.

Warning: with the years, your jaw muscles will look like Schwarzie's !

Comments

[lime3D]

Excellent idea. And yes, I have wished I had a third hand to take instructable photos!

After reading this, I remembered that I had a little 'dollar store' tripod in my camera bag. I stuck my camera on it, shortened up the neck strap, and rested it on my chest. Worked great.

[Kryptonite]

Very nice! I'd have to find a way to trigger it with my tongue though, because my camera doesn't have a timer.

[Lokisgodhi]

I'd suggest that a piece of polyethylene rod would be more sanitary and last a lot longer.

[Plasmana]

Wow, that is very clever!

[l8nite]

great idea but my jaw hurts just thinking about it!

[lemonie]

Fantastic. Like holding solder in your teeth, except I tend to drool on it... L

[axist47]

Have you ever burned yourself?

[lemonie]

A few times years ago, but not by holding things in my teeth. L

[mattthegamer463]

lead-free solder I hope? :)

[lemonie]

No, but I leave it in the container. L

[siklosi]

What about holding with your mouth Nikon D3 with Sigma 50-500 :)

[Keeter]

I would suggest the same as caitlinsdad said, and use something that goes around your neck, like the harmonica holders. And taking a picture of both your hands is cool, but the fact that you took a picture of yourself, while taking a picture of yourself, now that's impressive :P

[luvit]

don't run around the house with that in your mouth or i'll take it away from you.

[puffyfluff]

This is a great idea. An external shutter button would be helpful, though. As Kanein Encanto suggested below, a modified tongue trigger may be helpful, and with that, it may be helpful to use jaysbob's idea of the wider an thinner board.

I'll have to make one of these one day...

[jaysbob]

great idea! a wider thinner piece of wood seems like it might be more comfortable to chomp on. At least so you can utilize your wider flatter molars in back to provide a more stable and even clamping force than just your thin front teeth. depending on how heavy your camera is this could also negate the need for a chest stabilizer. May also be a good idea to make sure your using untreated wood, reduces the chance of getting some kind of weird chemical poisoning. probably doesn't matter either way though. sounds like this was just made with materials on hand though, and for that its an awesome proof of concept!

[Hawkins8692]

Brilliant!

[Kanein Encanto]

Something to check: If the camera can have a cable release switch attached, find a way to secure it so maybe you can press on a modified cable release switch with your tongue or if it's a tougher switch, additional pressure from clenching your jaw...if you can do that... maybe it would be a little easier to use than holding the rig for ten seconds.... not to mention re-taking a shot would be easier maybe too. :)

[maxstevenson]

Great idea! Thanks. I will use this.

[Weissensteinburg]

I would change your intro picture to one of the final product, it makes it easier to understand what the project is from the index.

[laxap]

Good point, thanks. I shot the last one again, with less mess in the background ;-)

[Weissensteinburg]

Perfect! I'd make one of these, but my camera is too heavy =[

[jessyratfink]

This is sort of amazing. I mean, you look silly doing it, but it's really useful! :D

[laxap]

It was born in 10 minutes out of necessity for an ible I'm working on... The friends I won't need for help will come to see me looking silly, so I won't loose them :-) Thanks a lot for featuring me !

[caitlinsdad]

Might be easier if you mod one of those chest harmonica holders that they use while also playing guitar. Many are made from just coat hanger wire/duct tape and relieves the stress put on teeth/braces. Maybe you should get a sports mouthguard to attach for a true orthodonic device.