Pictures are best when it comes to working with a quilt and figuring out how you want to quilt it. You can put the picture of either a block or the whole quilt on your computer, print it out and then put a plastic sheet protector over it and use a wipe away pen and play around with designs.
I think it's time for DH to buy you a new camera. It doesn't count as a 'gift' either just as a replacement for what he lost.
ali