Think Tank Camera Bags and Equipment

Think Tank is a really cool manufacturer of Camera Bags and other photographic supplies and equipment.  By clicking on the link below you will gain access to think tanks products and any order you place will qualify for a discount. Any order over $50.00 will receive a special gift.  http://www.thinktankphoto.com/affiliates.aspx?code=EP-393 
Think tanks products are designed with you, the working photographer in mind. From basic bags to lens rain covers they have a product you can actually use. Take a few minutes and browse their site. I feel sure you will find something of real value and  interest. Keep shooting!!
Kendall

It never ceases to amaze me....

Good Morning! It’s been quite some time since my last post here and to be honest I’ve just been busy shooting, teaching, and getting some new classes going. Having received several emails recently that reminded me, I decided it was time to get back on track with the blog.

It never ceases to amaze me how addictive photography can be. I’m fortunate to be able to witness this every day in my teaching. I jokingly refer to it as a disease, and those of you who have it, will understand completely what I am saying. It just gets in your blood and it’s a constant search for more information and new or better ways of seeing the world around us. Then there’s the equipment bug, which as we all know is all too easy to get hung up on. It is true that sometimes a new piece of equipment, whether it is a new camera body, a lens, or just a new filter, can inspire new creativity. Your wants will always exceed your needs, so try and make decisions that will allow you to make more and better photographs, not have the latest and greatest gear in your bag. The photographer makes the photograph, not the equipment.

Sometimes less is more, especially when you’re in the field with a twenty pound bag of cameras and lenses and other gadgets, plus a tripod, etc. Take a good hard look at what you have, and decide what you really use. If it’s not being used, give some thought to why. If you can’t recall why you needed it or it’s just taking up valuable space, remove it from the bag.

I encourage my students to start basic and learn everything possible about their equipment and how to fully utilize its attributes. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a 50mm lens! Photojournalists have used this lens or lenses in the normal range for years. This lens comes very close to approximating the field of view the average human eye sees. Its perspective is what we would consider normal. Being a prime lens (non-zoom), it forces the photographer to move around, find the best vantage point, search for the best composition. These are all good things, and if you don’t have a huge bag weighing you down you will be much more motivated to move around and find that perfect angle.  

Digital Photography offers instant gratification. It is fast, relatively inexpensive (compared to what my students call old school), and accessible to the masses. We even have high quality cameras in our phones now! Get those cameras out and shoot!