The Hunt For The Perfect Bag

After shooting for about 3 months or so, one of the things that really slow me down would be the shoulder sling bag given by canon.

It gets in the way when I shoot, and I always have to get my darling assistant carry it. It otherwise impairs creativity with a bag sliding across my shoulder ever so often, especially if I shoot solo. Not to mention the strain it has on my back and shoulders trying to balance a one sided weight while shooting.

After the poisonous 550D meet-up, I've decided I should invest in a decent backpack (not slings, please!) to walk around comfortably, independently. After all in the coming Japan trip, I would really dread having to walk about balancing my silly shoulder bag for hours on end.

All said and done. I'm looking at the Kata 3n1 20/22, or some Think Tank Product. It must support tripod carrying, it must be comfortable to the shoulders. Weight distribution must be excellent - thus a sternum + waist support system is a must. It must have a quick-draw compartment and it must not be too difficult to access. Size-wise, medium. Some personal space//interchangeable with expandability to accommodate new lenses (Most likely a 100mm Macro). Budget should be about 150~200+...since I'm buying to last, a little more should be okay. Having said that, I doubt there is a single bag that fits my needs.

Wish me luck in my hunt!

Photography For You and Me

Mr Odyssey Boy, originally uploaded by du3z.

Well, it seems wise to have the company of the like-minded is it not?

As for photography, that allows you to explore people. Their technicalities, quirks, and specialities. On top of the knowledge they can offer on photography itself, they can provide insight into photographic equipment, even letting you try hands on! Just becareful because what you touch, see, or hear, might poison you (Forum Slang ~ Makes you want to buy whatever they poisoned you with.)

It doesn't even have to be a meet-up face to face. Photographic forums are plenty. Learning and Teaching goes hand in hand. When you teach, you learn too. So what are you waiting for? Go join a local photographic forum or whatever your interest lies in today!

This is, by the way, my 2nd outing with ClubSnap members. Cool bunch I must say. Either very rich, or very poor. Hahaha!

Here's the link for more of the photos for that day!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31221849@N06/sets/72157624361915502/

Exposure 101

Lines, originally uploaded by du3z.

The first thing I ever did read on photography, even before I bought my first DSLR, was about exposure, and rightly so. After all, photo-graphy is the "drawing" or the "art" of light.

I'm sure most of us have handled some form of digital camera before...even PnS (Point-and-Shoot), and have come across the term "ISO". High ISO shots look dotted (noisy) and Low ISO shots look clean - that much we figured.

Let me introduce the Exposure Triangle. Namely, ISO, Aperture, and Shutter speed. One of the best analogies I've read was from Digital-Photography-School. Picture this:

A window on a deserted building. Sun rays are piercing through the window and you're standing in the room looking out.

The size of the window is the aperture - the bigger the aperture or the size of the window, the more light shines through - right?

Suppose the window shutters were the shutter blades in the camera. If the window shutter was closed, no light shines through (assuming it is opaque). If i open the shutter, light shines through...and then I close it. The faster I close it, the less light gets to shine through. Conversely, the slower I close it, the more light shines through.

Of course, slower shutter speed and "longer" shutter exposure is interchangeable in terminology to me at least.

The photo had a shutter speed of 22 seconds. This is normally not achievable in bright day light as 22 seconds will allow too much light, overexposing your photos into pure white. But in the night, this is possible and the effect of the car trails is shown for such a slow shutter. If you like that, try it!

Lastly, the ISO setting is the sensitivity of your eye, or camera, in essence. Low ISO = less sensitive. High ISO = more sensitive. It's just like a sunglass over your eye. If it's too dark, take it off (increase the ISO). If it's too bright, decrease the ISO!

Now all these 3 play a part in determining what exposure you get. So with this knowledge, I went out to shoot. Then bags the question...when to use what?

I believe each of these deserves a mention of their own...so till then, stay tuned!

Model - Esther

Model - Esther, originally uploaded by du3z.

Well, I’ve decided to start a photo blog for various reasons. One of them is to track my photographic journey over time. That includes technical “lessons” that I have learnt over the years. Tips & Tricks, so to speak.

Of course, this journey is not possible without my dearest, and her support, contribution, and being my very very able assistant!

Well to begin with…here’s my personal flickr website in which resides all the photos included in this blog and more.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31221849@N06/

My journey started in March 2010 when I bought my first DSLR. The next few posts will be playing catching up.

Have fun. Enjoy. Learn. Enjoy. See. Enjoy.