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So, Here We Are.
September 29th, 2009
I’ve been home from India for a whole day now, and leave for Vegas tomorrow morning. Can’t imagine a more bizarre cultural shift than going from peaceful Ladakh to the Las Vegas strip.
So, this one’s a hodge-podge of stuff to accompany the release of the October Wallpaper (see post below).
Ladakh was, at it always is, amazing. Weather was warmer than usual and made it much easier to adjust. Matt and I were joined by Ami Vitale, whom you should all by now be familiar with. You should also know she adopted me as her evil twin which is so awesome I can’t begin to tell you. Anyways, I’m back and once I return from my pilgrimage to Las Vegas for Photoshop World I’ll be home for at least a month, slaving away on a couple books, keeping clients happy, and spending some serious time with my wife.
While in Ladakh I was testing out a couple new pieces of travel gear. The first is the BlackRapid Double Strap, the second was another piece of clothing from ScotteVest. So here’s the goods on those.
Blackrapid’s done it again with the Double Strap. When the first one came out I went down to see the folks behind the R-Strap. We talked about options for a two-camera rig. I shared my opinions, and an idea or two. And then they totally ignored those suggestions and came up with something way better, the Double Strap. First, you need to know that my only beef with the original R-Straps was the hardware – both the FastnR and the ConnectR were, um, crap. But they were honest attempts to solve a problem, to which I found my own solution. But in the re-incarnation of those two bits of hardware, the R-Straps have grown up, left the house, and made us proud. I gave one to Ami Vitale and after a couple days using it she gushed about how it revolutionized things for her. If you’ve not played with the R-strap, it’s truly a great product. In fact, the good folks at Blackrapid have agreed to send a Double Strap to one lucky reader. So leave a comment in this post and when I’m back from Vegas I’ll do a random draw.
Ok, so now, the Double Strap. It’s basically a set of comfortable backpack straps without the backpack, and into which are integrated two R-straps. One for a camera on the left, one for a camera on the right. Placed under a jacket the cameras peak out at the bottom, the harness is invisible, and the cameras are comfortably where you need them all day long. I shoot with two bodies a lot and this harness system is fantastic. The hardware is excellent, and where I once loved the product but with the caveat that the hardware was still in its infancy, I truly can’t think of a reason not to love, love, love these straps, and if you shoot with two bodies, the Double Strap rocks.
I also left my prized, and much-loved, Patagonia retro fleece at home in favour of taking the ScotteVest Fleece 5.0 Jacket. The jacket came just before I left and I ordered it because I love their Travel Vest so much. Basically it’s a really beefy fleece jacket with removable sleeves and almost all the pockets of the Travel Vest. Traveling and shooting out of these things is a joy – even if the abundance of pockets encourages you to load it to busting – which makes it really heavy! I don’t know that I’d use it to run to the grocery store, but for traveling, the ScotteVest line of gear is really hard to beat. I’m not much for the reflective trim but overall it’s classy-looking, and is really well built. I travelled over Kardung La in my vest and my Fleece 5.0 and was warm as can be until the very peak, but in hot weather either the vest or the fleece would be too much. If you’re looking for great travel clothing look at ScotteVest. My only nag is that I find the sizing a little too generous, so if you’re one of those people who sometimes take a Medium and sometimes take a Large, I’d take the company’s suggestion and order both, then return the one that doesn’t fit.
OK, one last gear thing. Each year I take one new piece of kit to play with. I think it’s good – no, essential – to remain a learner and to always play, experiment, and push ourselves from our ruts. This year I brought a handful of Singh-Ray filters to play with. I took 4 ND grads (2 and 3-stop grads in both hard and soft transitions) and two polarizers ( a Blue-Gold, and a warming polarizer). Aside from my issue with the Cokin P filter holders (they’re total crap. The Z holders are nice but my polarizers won’t fit into z-sized holders so I’m left with the Cokin P holders. Did I mention they’re crap?) I had a great time playing with them. Might have over-used them, but I’m OK with that. Singh-Ray quality rocks and while the rest of the digital world keeps yapping on about how filters are no longer needed, I’m pretty sure than they can be as useful as ever, and in some case now more important than before in creating a specific aesthetic or in highlight control. The image at the head of this post was shot with a B/G polarizer and ND grad. I love the colours the B/G polarizer brings and the Lumen Dei crew kept calling it my “magic filter” – it’s pretty cool. If you haven’t played with your filters for a while, dig them out. If you’re looking for new ones, seriously consider giving the Cokin filters a miss and going straight to something with better optical quality.
Alright, that’s about all the gear-talk I can handle for now. Gear’s good, heck some of it’s even great, but Vision? Well, Vision’s still way better. 
To that end on Friday I released the follow-up to my eBook TEN. It’s called TEN MORE, it’s for people wanting to improve their craft without buying gear, and there’s more info HERE.
OK, gotta run. Nice to be home, sorry I have to leave so soon. Leave a comment – with your name and email – if you want to win a Blackrapid Double Strap.
Look forward to seeing some more of your shots from India, that top one is great. Might have to try some filters soon.
David, I’m fairly new to your blog, but it’s gone straight into my regular reads, great stuff and always something to take from it. Enjoy Vegas.
Hi David, i definitely would love to win the Double Strap
Hope to see more images from India
And would love to win the double strap 
Have a nice trip to Vegas.
Regards
Bernt-Inge
I deeply understand your feelings. I’ve been several times in Ladakh and I always need a few weeks to acclimate myself when I come back to Europe
By the way, I bought both your ebooks (“10″ and “10 more”). This helps and inspires me a lot to improve my own photo style. keep going the good works !
Hi David, welcome back. Another great post with inspiring image & gear recommendations. thanks
Suzy
i have an r-strap and my only problem is that it can;t hold a second body, ha! a double strap would fix that…
Beautiful image to open the post. That b/g pol and ND combo is great – reminds me of some of the stuff Galen Rowell did.
Those Blackrapid R-Straps are great. I recently ordered the RS-5 and it arrived last week (took only 6 days to get to me in Asia). I’m loving it and will definitely be sticking with them in the future.
Hi David. I have recently bought your book “within the frame” and also the 2 ebooks. They are very helpful and inspiring! I am enjoying the little challenges you give but have quickly devised my own, hope you don’t mind! Anyways, keep up the good work, your blog is on my daily to do list, along with shhot more, get better with off camera flash, hone my PS skills……………..
Cheers
Ian
Yes, realize lulu.com only works for IE. Not Firefox or Google Chrome. Love the eBook – I’ve committed to following #3 – it’s what I feel I need to work on most right now.
This post’s image is lovely – would it make a nice calendar too? =)
Cheers, Joe
@Joe L. Lulu works fine for me on Firefox. Some have said they used others as well. It’s a mystery to me. A sad, stupid mystery that Lulu needs to get on top of if they want to keep serving me and my readers. Apologies again for this.
As for the desktop wallpaper, well, November’s a long ways away.
You know what would be great, if you just skipped the random draw and gave me Double Strap. Plus since I live in Vancouver you wouldn’t have to pay shipping. It’s like a win-win. Think about it.
Oh, and thanks for the ebooks. It was a well spent $5. I can’t wait for VisionMongers to come out.
Loved the book 10 and looking forward to reading 10 More. Read your book Within the frame and I am anxiously waiting for the Vision Monger…
Good to see you back David, & with some great pictures too by the look of things!
I’ve been looking at the straps & my filter collection a lot recently. As you say, ‘essential’! Singh-ray have a few i’m longing to try but the only downside for them & the straps is that i’m uk based which means going the mail order route and I prefer to get my gear over the counter in case of problems.
No cure as yet for getting hold of BR stuff but for the filters it means I end up going the Lee Filters route and if you’re in need of a holder, theirs is well worth a look. Easy on, easy off, only needs some kind of locking mechanism to make it perfect as filters can slide out if you forget to remove them when walking around. Next time you see Gavin have a word as I recall he uses them from time to time as well.
Regards
Ian
After seeing the black rapid in action – it’s definitely on my ‘must-get’ list. and for those reading this – the blue/gold filer is more aptly named the ‘make every shot look cool’ filter
good stuff dewsh.
David, thanks for the review of the double strap! I was contemplating an upgrade for an upcoming trip to Hawaii. Please include me in the drawing.
Thanks
I just recently picked my first nd filter and love it. Saw the the Black Rapids at ANPW. They look great.
Welcome home… and safe travels. Thanks for sharing your photos and knowledge.
-mc
Hey David,
some really great images from this trip as always. I love the one in this post, and I second Joe L.s vote for a wallpaper version
I’m also excited to see you dipping your toes into the world of self-publishing ebooks. I haven’t gotten my hands on either of them yet, but I can see this becoming a trend throughout the industry, possibly the world in a few years. Hey, if you’re one thing David it’s a pioneer.
Can’t wait to see what’s down the road.
-Zach
I’ve love to try one of those BlackRapid Straps, even a simple one, but sadly in Cyprus there is absolutely no one bringing them
. So after reading a lot of stuff on the net about them, a few posts saying that the old connectors are really bad stuck to my mind so … dunno what to do.
David, would you attach a d80 and a Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8 to one of those ? Keep in mind that the combo is a bit on the heavy side, the 24-70 aren’t the lightest lenses available on the market
Gonna get some filters too, you’ve got a point there, the sky here is mostly clear, cloudless .. .boring.
Regarding lulu.com … I had to create a new account to get the new book, cause they were refusing my old user/pass. Pretty weird considering I used that to get the first e-book.
Nice post, thanks for sharing info on your toys, cheers
Cheers for the nice post
Hi David,
thank you, your blog posts are something I always look forward to. I played with a RS-5 on a recent photo-walk, seems like a very useful product.
BTW – last night I got two friends hooked on your “Within the Frame” podcast
I love the b/g filter effect!!! I have got to try one of those!
Fantastic photo!! It has wonderfull colors, and a lot of peace.
Liz
Sounds like you had a a fantastic time. Please count me in for the Double Strap draw.
Cheers!
The double strap looks very nice. Great image as well. I look forward to seeing more images from your trip.
Hi David,
Hope you accomplished everything you hoped to while you were in India, sounds like you had a blast!
It looks like you already have MORE than a handful of people spouting over the new strap but hey count me in if there’s still room =)
I wish i could buy BlackRapid locally.
My cousin was in India a while back doing some photography for an org that was digging wells in some of the slums.
I’m glad black rapid has addressed the issues with their original strap, I was starting to hear a lot of guff on some flickr forums about them breaking. The double strap is something I need desperately, although it looks like your packing heat with those straps.
It’s great to see you back online. Look forward to your posts every morning when I get to work.
David,
I’ve been using the single strap for a while now and couldn’t do without it. I need to update the connectors, but would really enjoy working with the double now.
Those Singh-Ray filters are really something. I’m still working on how to use the B/G but the Vari-ND has been getting a lot of use.
Thanks for the paper and e-books. Please keep them coming.
Lulu was a tad difficult, but I successfully bought 10 and 10 more. I’m looking forward to working through both – over and over. I use and love the Upstrap, but two cameras are awkward – a harness would be just the thing. A SinghRay variND is in my budget for next year. Meanwhile, I have the exercises you recommend to keep me learning. Thanks!
David:
Headed to Vegas as well. Entered “Neon in Your Neighborhood” contest hoping to win opportunity to meet you at the Boneyard. No such luck – maybe I’ll run into you elsewhere. Would love to try double strap. Thanks!
Ooh ooh ooh! Pick me for the double strap.
I, too, have heard people say that with Photoshop you don’t need filters on your camera. When I talk to these people, I can only assume they have no idea what a ND or CP filter actually does.
Cezar – I have no hesitation in recommending the R-Straps. I carry my 5D bodies, with vertical grips and – on the large side – a 70-200/2.8 lens. It’ll handle your D80 and 24-70/2.8 no problem.
Cyprus, eh? My parents met in Cyprus, have always wanted to see the island.
TEN and TEN MORE are great. Lulu is not so great.
BlackRapid is great.
Welcome back.
I’m based in the UK and can’t get to Las Vegas, so please let me have the strap as a consolation prize
I had no problem at all with Lulu (Windows VIsta & IE8).
Glad to hear about the R-straps – I love mine. Now to get a second body to go with the second strap (hey, that works for justification, right?)
Mark
David, I’m certainly interested in the Double-Strap. In other news, I have purchased both of your eBooks and I find your second book to be more fundamental than the first, perhaps it is just where I am in this photographic journey. I do like the perspective that they are written from…and I always enjoy your photography. Looking forward to VisionMongers in December!
Justin
Welcome back! It’s always good to read your reviews. I was skeptical about the Double Strap but after reading your review I changed my mind. One Double Strap for me.
I just purchased ‘Ten More’ and am looking forward to going through it. Thank you for making it so affordable!
David,
Would love the strap! I’ve been enjoying your blog, books, and podcasts immensely. Your podcast series has honestly been one of the best podcasts I’ve seen. Wish there were more than 20.
Thanks! Enjoy Vegas.
I’ve never seen the Double Strap before. It kinda reminds me of gun holsters, but for your camera. Cool.
Thanks for another great post. I’m looking forward to meeting you in Vegas this week!
I ordered a Singh-Ray reverse grad filter especially for my trip to the grand canyon on the way to PSW, but it arrived at my house last Thursday in 5 pieces! Oh well, I guess I’ll tryi it out next time. You might get another cokin holder and cut off the outer 2 slots. This works much better with wide angle lenses (wider than about 28mm), but they’re still crap!
I’d love to try the double r-strap because I recently started travelling with two bodies. How do you accomidate a tripod plate with those straps? Is it an either-or kind of thing?
Thanks,
Rob
First off, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the image at the top of this post. The filters sure add a whole new dimension to the image, which would have been great without them. Definitely one of your best color images.
Second, I wouldn’t mind a double strap! BlackRapid knows what they’re doing, that’s for sure!
Third, I read 10 MORE yesterday and it was even better than 10. I know, I thought it would be impossible too, but it really is!
Very much looking forward to VM! Definitely on my Christmas list
See you at PSW!
Any ideas for a filter holder other than the Cokin?
Lulu was messed up in both Firefox and IE for the two days I tried it. The E-Books are great and a big help to kick things loose in my head when needed. Thank you.
Love my BlackRapid and pack two bodies at times and wondered about the double strap.
Hello David,
I have just read this article today and am at the moment trying to put together a filter set and holder. Can you please some of your problems with the Cokin holder system please? Does it cause lots of problems with vignetting whilst using wider angle lenses? Or is it something else?
Any information would be appreciated.
Scott
@Scott Viney – Mostly my issue is the quality. it slips and slides, is poorly made, and make it hard to work smoothly. The ideal system would be larger and already exists in the Lee and Cokin Z-sized holders, but not in the P-size which I require to use some of my Singh-Ray CP filters. And yes, vignetting is an issue past 28mm on my full-frame 5D and 5D Mk2 bodies.
Hi David, looking forward to meeting you @ PSW! Also, I have the single R-Strap and wouldn’t consider using anything else. Maybe I’ll soon have the double:)
Really enjoying Within the Frame, Ten and am looking forward to purchasing Ten More. I’m an official stalker, err follower of yours.
Wow, do your gear posts always get this many comments – or do we all just miss you that much?
I got an R-Strap a bit back, maybe only earlier this year, but just before they made the hardware change. It worked fine for me even WITH the “crap” screw and clip. My complaint on my 1DMKII body was that the bit that screws in (the Fasten-R) was so wide as to make holding the camera in portrait uncomfortable.
When the new lock and fastener were released I ordered them right away (without even realizing for an extra $20 from that I’d have a whole new rig), and love ‘em. The R-Strap is my ONLY camera strap now; it keeps my camera outside of the bag where it should be, securely, and comfortable. It handles my 1D with a 24-70 f/2.8 attached and would undoubtedly take more weight if I had it to throw on.
If I had two bodies to use I’d definitely be using the Double-Strap, for now I think I’d look unbalanced with a pro body on one end and a Canon G11 on the other… maybe quirky cool too though.
As for learning? Just signed up for a local workshop with Younes Bounhar and am looking forward to doing some landscape stuff that I do less and less of, plus use those filters I also rarely use.
David,
Thanks so much for your insights. I love reading more (after buying the book) on the blog.
I have an old Rapid R. strap which is an amazing difference over a standard camera strap.
@KarenJ – Stalk away, Karen. You seem harmless enough
@ChrisWilson – See you there!
Welcome back and enjoy Vegas!
Oooh, I certainly do want to win a Blackrapid Double Strap!
I agree with the part about filters. There are some things just better off done with real filters at capture. Like reducing daylight to allow longer exposures, especially of flowing water, etc.
The photo at the top of the blog post looks amazing and I can’t wait to see more. Just bought Ten and am looking forward to reading it
Would love to win the prize, otherwise i’ll just have to get one myself!
You’ve inspired me to pull out my dusty Cokin set. I really enjoyed Ten and soon enough I’m sure, Ten More. Thanks!
I really enjoyed reading the TEN. I have it loaded on my ereader now and I am going to try and read it every few days. Have a nice trip to Las Vegas. I left India seven years ago and now live in the US. Your images brought back a lot of memories. Would love to join you all on a workshop someday. Oh, and I’d love to get the strap
Your book is amazing! Now I am following your blog also. Your review here is very helpful. I was looking for a solution like what BlackRapid provides. Great job!
Love Within the Frame and can’t wait for the new one! Wish I could join you on one of your Lumen Dei tours. I have been drooling over those since the beginning. Maybe some day!
Nikki
A double strap would rock! That travel vest looks fantastic, going to have to try one out soon.
Glad you had a great trip. I’m signing up for next year!!
Have a BR and love it, could have used a double when at Machu Picchu last year as I was shooting IR with one camera and visible with another, the BR strap made that possible with secure cameras, just not comfortable.
I’d love to try out that double strap…
glad the trip went well. love the e-books! have fun in LV
[...] Another Great Review, from famous blogger and photographer David duChemin with http://www.Pixelatedimage.com September 29th, 2009 Goto comments Leave a comment Twitter It!0Digg mehttp://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/2009/09/so-here-we-are/ [...]
I love your work! (especially what you’ve done with World Vision, both my wife and my dad have spent time working for World Vision) Just came across your podcast last week… I am loving it! It’s great hearing your insights and critiques.
Would definitely love to win the strap! Was actually just looking at it… winning it is a lot nicer than buying it (I”m sure I’ll get it soon one way or the other though).
What can I say. I love your work too. I’m reading Within the Frame, the right book for me now – I felt I have nothing to say, though I managed to take correctly exposed shots. Loved Ten too, I’m not so sure about Ten More… A question that always lingers in my mind when I see how active you are both online and offline… I mean, how do you manage all that? Twitter, photography, blog, travel, Lightroom, book-writing, family – how do you do all that?
I wonder how it was for you, David, when you were carrying two SLRs on regular single straps and a quick moment to capture happens.. Me, I get all tangled up to choke and it usually ends up with awkward positions and sometimes all to confusing.
Anyway, great review, and youre making me want to wear a vest even if its against my will. I just hope they have the Fleece 5.0 without the fleece. Something good for wearing in tropical places like the Philippines where I normally shoot.
Hi David,
I won the first Blackrapid strap you gave away- do I have any chance at the second? I use that RS-3 ALL the time EVERY day.
Still love your work,
Jay
Great post. I love my R-Strap but would love a double strap!
@Gerdez – LOL, well it’s not always easy, but I’m learning. I think I manage because this is all I do. It’s my business as well as my passion. I redeem the time I spend in airports and on planes, I think about things all the time, and have no real hobbies – I’m single-minded with this stuff. And I think it helps to have no kids and a wife who loves and understands me
Also, I no longer sleep.
@ David – Well I hope in my 40′s I’ll be as active as you in photography and that I can take shots like you do also.
My dream is to finish house, have kids… and after that travel the world for the sake of photography and meeting new cultures. I’m going to Venice, Italy on Saturday with wife and friends… any tips on what I shouldn’t miss?
I enjoy reading your exploits and then figured if my $10 (for buying both PDF books) help continue you supplying entertainment, gorgeous photos and great information, it is worth it for me to do. Thank you!
@Jeff Sundin – You’re my kind of guy, thanks!
Well, I guess I _have_ to enter for the RS-5, since I wouldn’t leave home without my RS-1.
BTW: lulu.com worked for my with Safari on my Mac, but only on one of my two machines…go figure. Either way, great e-books, great complement to Within the Frame. Eagerly awaiting your next full-length book ….
David – Are you skipping the Digital Holsters now that you have the Double Strap?
@Johannes – I use both now. Much of the time when using the holsters I use no straps at all. That freaks some people out. I also have some thin no-frills R-straps that Blackrapid made for me, I use those too. But when I want to go out for a walk with just 2 cameras/2 lenses, the double strap is awesome. I plan to use it on assignment as well as I’m often putting one camera down and picking another up. The double-strap will be great for that. But give up my TTP Digital Holsters? No way.
I really like the combo of a ND-grad and the B/G-polarizer. It’s a shame that proper camera equipment is hard to come by in my town. I have to put my trust in the shops on the net.
There’s an Expo a few weeks from now. I’ll definitely look into that Rapid Strap. It must be most useful when shooting a wedding, switching from wide to tele in notime.
Thank you for letting us know.
// AntonYmer
What a great photo! Ladakh sounds astonishing – you must feel so fortunate doing what you do….
Can’t wait for “Vision Mongers” as I found “Within The Frame” a great companion in my learning journey…
I would love to win the Double Strap! I just started watching your podcasts yesterday, and I believe you gave me more to think about in terms of improving my photos, in 2 episodes, than the entire pile of current photo books has. Just downloaded “Ten,” and am off to the bookstore for WTF. I hope they are just as thought provoking. Thanks!
Have a look at my work here if you have a chance:
http://www.dojoklo.com
Dear David, I just finished your book “Within the frame” and I must say that no other “photography book” distressed me so much. Only at the very end of the book I understood why : “It is all about faith”. Thank you for giving the possibility of reading something so powerful.
Regards from Switzerland.
David,
Love the postcards that you have posted so far and I guess we will see some more from Neon Light shoot? Would love to be picked to win the R-Strap. Also, I left an earlier comment hope you will get chance to read it.
Thanks,
pk.
Just downloaded both 10 and 10 more yesterday.
Lulu site is not the most straightforward, but essentially had no major problems.
Great images … I have the r-starp and would love the double, then I’d have a real excuse to buy another body
Enjoy Vegas!!
I’m loving my filters and swear by my circ polarizer. I always get ohh and ahhs over my skies in shots where it’s used.
Dave, Saw the Dbl strap the night we met at the Studio R meetup. It sounded great and i’m so glad it met your expectations. Just a reminder for those who don’t shoot 2 cameras, the single R-strap is absolutely Awesome. If you don’t think a camera strap can change the way you shoot, you’re wrong. I never have mine because my friends are always trying it out. One by one they all are getting one.
Glad to have you home. stay off the roulette wheels in Vegas. LOL
Welcome back David! Look forward to seeing more photos from the trip, once you get back from Vegas.
Hope you enjoyed your day home
I’ve looked at those Double Straps for a while–actually, ever since Scott Bourne talked about them on release–and my response is still, I wish I had this for weddings and such, but the price… oh, the price. It’s good to hear another positive review of it, though, for sure. Have a great time in Vegas, sir!
I’d love an R-strap. I’ve looked for them here in Australia, but they only seem to have the older models and I’ve read about a few issues. But hell yeah, anything that makes it easier and faster to get that shutter fired would be cool.
Beautiful shot in this post as well. Drop dead gorgeous.
David- I was watching the podcast (Within The Frame #17) and didn’t know where to address this…
You might want to go in Photoshop under Preferences > File Handling and change “Maximize PSD and PSB Compatability” to “Always.” This would at least stop one pop-up box when saving your PSD files. You need to select “Maximize Compatability” to view the PSD files in Lightroom, so it will save you from having to check “yes” every time you save.
Have fun in Vegas -Jeremy
Would love a Double Strap! I just discovered your podcasts, and I believe, after watching just 2, I already have been given more to think about regarding improving my photography than I’ve gotten from the pile of recent photo books. Thanks! I’ve just downloaded “Ten,” and am heading to the bookstore for WTF. I’m sure they will be just as helpful!
Hi David, I just arrived in Las Vegas. It’s damn hot out here. Maybe we can meet to have a little chat?
Welcome back! 10 was fantastic. Looking forward to read 10 more
David – as always the material is first rate. One thing please, to keep from having to ask my wife to read stuff for me, can you refrain from using red text in the e books? It’s tough on us color blind folks. Cheers.
If you get a chance, check out the blue of the sky at Red Rock Canyon just outside of Vegas. I would love to win the Double Strap. But, then of course, I would have to buy one for my wife. A sacrifice I’m willing to make.
Lulu seems to like me better today
I’ve just breezed through it and 10 more is looking good. Trust Vegas goes well
@Karlo dL – Scottevest make a lightweight Tropical Jacket/Vest. Check it out here:
http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/lightweight-wind-jacket.shtml
Hi David, I’d like to throw my hat into the ring for the double-strap. I’ll be needing it soon for my trip to Kenya! Mark O. doesn’t need one as he now lives only one block down the road from Black Rapid and he can pick one up any time
Count me in. I saw you at the BlackRapid gallery in Seattle and they have great stuff.
Hi David,
Just bought the black rapid R-Strap a few days ago and am loving it. The only downside i see is that when you need to use your tripod/monopod, you need to unscrew the Fastenr-2. I guess this is just the bad coming with the good.
Look forward to seeing your new pics
fab
@fabrizio – I just attached mine to the tripod plate that lives on the camera.
Just finished reading “Ten More” – excellent work again, a perfect complement to “Ten” and “Within the Frame”!
Hi David. I have purchased a couple of R-Straps when they first came out and there’s certainly never been any regrets from me. Sure, the connectors aren’t ideal but they have certainly worked out alright. A double R-Strap might just be the required thing in the near future – a real winner for Wedding togs I would say.
As for the Lulu problem, my workaround (in Firefox) was to view the certificate for Lulu.com and then individually remove the cookies that you can view from that certificate (Clear Cookies didn’t seem to work out). That allowed me to purchase ’10 More’ which looks great from what I have read so far.
Keep up the great work and post some more photo’s for us all to enjoy.
Hi David…
I got a TEN & TNE more right now !
I live in south korea and poor at english writing…I always reading your blog article…
I bought 2 PDF file and reading carefully.
It’s so helpful. thanks your effort.
in the future ! how about visit south korea & ulleung island. *^^*
thanks again !!!
David, if you ever want to visit, my humble house is always open for you and your family
I’d be more than honored to either host you or at least meet you (and of course bug the hell out of you all day long haha)
I’ve recently started using 2 bodies so the double strap sounds like an excellent solution. So all I need to do now is get lucky.
keep up the good work!
All the best from the Netherlands.
(also hoping to win:)
Thanks for the reviews and thoughts – I’ve got a B/G filter that’s been sitting neglected on my shelf for a few years. I’ll have to dust it off and give it another shot.
The double strap sounds perfect too – please put me in your drawing!
Thanks for being so generous with your knowledge and experience. I love reading your blog!
David! I so wish I could go to Vegas! Just a bit too busy with the money job to take time for the love. Glad you enjoyed yourself in India- there’s another thing for the before I die list. I’m (intentionally) slowly working my way through WTF and loving it. Now I wish I had read it before the R-strap thing in Seattle a while back, I would have had some intelligent questions for you (I think). I look forward to your next post!
Hoping to get lucky-
Adam
Inspiring images, Insights and tips, as always. Having mostly abandoned on-camera filters in favor of post, I’ll now rethink my workflow. Thanks.
Would love a chance at the double strap!
Keep up the good work.
Just found your site yesterday and have it in my heavy rotation bin on my menu bar, have also just ordered your book and ebooks – all looks great!
Headed to Ladakh in early November – any and all advice would be more than welcome!
I love those colors. Looks like I am going to be adding some filters to my wish list, especially that gold n blue filter.
Dear David! I will try those filters out. I have the Cokin P and was quite happy until I now found out the holder is crap.
Dear God! Please make David pull my name out of the hat so that my brother has to give me back my other camera.
[...] So, Here We Are. [...]
David, I support your opinion about the Cokin P filters and holders. But heavens, the prices of the Singh-Ray ones are just beyond anything justifiable for a non-pro! (And I do have my doubts, if there’s not a good portion of snake-oil tax included). But I have to admit that I am lusting since quite a while for that G/B polarizer.
Just one comment on the image sizes on this blog: For haven’s sake please do post larger images. Today’s is not much more than a stamp. I do know the issues with stealing of images on the internet, though … but 1000px wide would be *really* nice!
@Markus Spring big is nicer most of the time, I have to agree, but bear in mind most people, especially at the office or school libraries, computer labs, are on monitors 1024 pixels across. I would prefer anything smaller than 800 pixels to make sure the sidebar spacing is alright.
I’m sure we can find those images on David’s portfolio galleries soon enough =]
The straps seem to offer freedom from trying to get the camera out of a bag as the moment passes.
Hello David,
Continued success. I really admire you for your photography and you have created a great outlet of information for which people can learn and apply when out doing photography. I too, agree, the $10 spent on the Ten series was worth the investment and hope it will spark more opportunities to put new content in the hands of people like me who likes to learn from others.
BTW, I agree lulu.com needs to find a easier way to get the content to the users after they paid the fee for the book.
Thanks again and I would love to win one of this Black Rapid straps.
Chris
David,
I bought your book and really enjoy it. I’ve been reading your blog since. Very nice image.
Ed
Hi David,
This isn’t going to be one of those ingratiating comments trying to get in your good books, you’re too impartial for that
just here to try and win myself some very nice kit:D
Hi David,
I’ve just download your new 10 more ebook. Keep up the good work.
Hi David
Am working my way through the list of stuff for the Kenya safari and am intrigued by ND filter(s). What would you suggest for the trip?
Love your eBooks and can’t wait to read more of them. Best thing I like about them are always the price. The material in it is great but some people over price their eBook to the point where you don’t want to buy them. Anyways, hope I win the new strap as it sounds awesome!
I’ve just recently discovered your blog, and have been really enjoying it. Thanks!
And thanks for giving away a black-rapid strap. I hacked together something like it out of parts from old bags I had around the house, but would love to have the real thing.
David,
Since I have found your Blog and your Podcast, I find my critical eye directing my photos (instead of simply snapping and fixing the photo later). I love your format. Keep ‘em coming, please.
Mr. duChemin,
Read your blog everyday, have read your book more than once, and have just started on the eBooks. I am an all-around fan.
I am shooting my first wedding as a primary shooter this November for a friend of a friend, and would love a chance at winning a RS DR-1 Double Strap. I’d buy one but I figured I would try my hand at this contest first. I already own a RS-5 and it has become my go to strap for everything. I have even hung my little Canonet rangefinder from it.
Take care! -Genaro
After reding a LOT about Blackrapid and their straps, I now want the R-strap like crazy. Plus I’d be the first one in Poland to use it – can’t find it anywhere
I want one, oh yes indeed I do.
I use my single strap alla time. I want a double, yes Indeed I DO!
BTW Dave, are you aware that the (change) button to change user names doesn’t function properly? tsk tsk
My way to travel to wonderful places and see wonderful people is through photographs such as yours.
The new Blackrapid Double Strap looks great!
Love your new ebook, had a few problems with Lulu but finally got it to work. Love your straight forward solutions.
I enjoy your blog!
I bought the single Black Rapid strap after reading your rave reviews and LOVE it!! But I find myself often still hand carrying second body and was considering a second strap bandoliered off the other shoulder–this double strap would be even better…
Thanks for the ebooks.
Please enter my name for the strap drawing.
Big fan! I love my original R-Strap and look forward to upgrading (but I’ll see if I win one first!)
I’m a big fan of any piece of camera gear that makes shooting more comfortable and fluid. The double strap sounds like it does just that!
I have the single strap from Balck-Rapid and I have found it useful for walking around. Would love to have the Double strap as I would then be fully ‘armed’. This blog is great.
Always enjoy your blog – it is inspiring and thoughtful. No problems with downloading “10″
And I would love the double strap!!
Great looking strap!
bruceh@cs.washington.edu
The Double Strap looks like THE answer for carrying and using two bodies…now I have to get the 2nd body .
cpbeyers@gmail.com
The double strap would go oh so well with my future D-700 (heck, how bout a D3) and my now old D-400… And, it would certainly save my back!!!
Hola David,
Great blog, I found it through strobist a few months back. I’m reading your old post in between the new ones and really enjoying it. Love your work! Thanks!
David,
Great book, great blog. Thank you for sharing.
I like the look of that vest. I have an old fisher man’s vest that I use sometimes but this is worth a look. I like the removable sleeves. Looking forward to your new photos.
Cheers,
Joel
Pick me…pick me. This would be the perfect birthday present!
I guess we all like that strap!
Great book, great ebooks.
Thanks
just ordered your lulu books, time to dust off the ae 1.
Hi, Thanks for your book! it’s been really helpful!
OH! Pick me! Pick me! I’m Canadian too! Seriously though: Awesome site. The best photog-blog out there, hands down.
Hey Mr DuChemin,
Thank you for your efforts with the blog and your books!
I still haven`t finished reading “within the frame”, but have already enjoyed going through your two ebooks ( Cool way to pass along knowledge and inspire people at the same time, BTW).
Anyway, Greetings from Brazil!
If you’re ever around Rio de Janeiro, you’re invited to have a couple beers! (and of course, see some cool places)
Thanks… and sorry for the long comment!
Gero
Thanks for making the e-books affordable. I just watched the interview you did with Blackrapid….very insightful information from you…thanks.
Welcome back from Ladakh, can’t wait for some more photos from the trip.
And if I somehow win the Double Strap then I have a reason to buy another camera right..right?
Hope you had a great time in Vegas, looks like you did.
I tried on the BR strap from Gabe of B&H. Awesome, maybe I’ll get lucky !
An aweinspiring image! Thanks for all your words of wisdom. And “Go, Doublestrap for Claire!”
David ~ Thanks for sharing your photo guru-ism. Every moment I’m not being a good IT worker, a dad and a husband, I’m reading your work and dreaming of finding my own vision and practicing to make sure it becomes a reality. ~ Thanks!
“I think I manage because this is all I do. It’s my business as well as my passion. I redeem the time I spend in airports and on planes, I think about things all the time, and have no real hobbies – I’m single-minded with this stuff.” Single-mindedness is the stuff of genius! Inspiring work, David.
David, just wanted to thank you again for your inspiring talk at the Peachpit theatre at Photoshop World. I know it wasn’t your intention but you brought tears to my eyes several times with your words and images. I’m happy to have discovered your blog and look forward to joining this lovely conversation you’ve started.
Enjoy Vegas and plezzzze pick me for the strap!
Lulu worked fine for me, just grabbed Ten. Glad I did, thanks
Hmm. I downloaded 10 More last night and didn’t have any problem with Lulu. Great stuff.
As usual your product reviews are outstanding and, thankfully, honest. The icing on the cake are you publications. Not too geeky and easy reading. Keep the blog rolling. a favorite read !
Your hectic travel schedule is as mind blowing as your photography. Awesome stuff!
More draws? Count me in!
Keep doin’ what you’re doin’! I’m loving the books and e-books and the blog and … just the right attitude about it all.
I’m convinced, I think I need an ND. As always your images are inspiring.
Love to be in on the drawing. Watched all your video-podscasts while traveling in France recently. Thanks so much…
Very nice photo. Great collours.
Speaking of Ladakh, if anyone is interested in a fascinating read about the country and it’s people, they should check out the book, Ancient Futures by Helena Norberg-Hodge. If you’re interested in how tourism can affect a way of life and develop a greater sensitivity to your influence on “less developed” societies, this book is a must read.
Always great information!! And great gear suggestions.