While early in my career I was drawn to the natural landscape in black and white, I have swung full circle visually focusing my energy on street photography, the human within the landscape, and artist portraits.

Taking my camera on the street makes my soul smile. I love the quote, “you have to be lost to find the places that can’t be found.” Wandering, looking, and discovering with a camera is one of the most rewarding creative pursuits there is. Going with the agenda to just create with no preconceived requirements, for me, is the essence of street photography. Learning how to disappear has become my new quest.

MOVEMENT AND MOTION

I love movement and motion within the frame. I almost always carry both a 3-stop and a 5-stop neutral density filter to allow slow shutter speeds in full sunlight.

ALWAYS LOOK FOR WHAT IS NOT IN FRONT OF YOU

Don’t forget to look over your shoulder when you are working because it just might just be more interesting than what you are photographing! On one of my first visits to the Louvre, I had a student with me ask if I would take their portrait in front of the Mona Lisa. It was the first Sunday of the month when all National Museums are free and I believe almost everyone visiting Paris had decided to not only go to the Louvre, but also all go at the same time to see the Mona Lisa.

Bob Hughes has a great quote about the painting: “People came not to look at it, but to say that they’d see it,” and all of the individuals in the room were of the latter type. The room was crushed with people and we slowly made our way towards the front viewing railing.

When we finally made it to the front of the gallery I took the student’s portrait with the Mona Lisa over their shoulder. As I turned to escape the mass of people that was making the pilgrimage, I saw the photograph, the room from Mona’s point of view.

WHAT’S IN MY BAG

When shooting on the street I love to put on the miles, and going as light as possible allows me to go longer and photograph more. My current go-to camera for the street is a Sony a6500 at the ready on my BLACKRAPID strap, with the Sony 24mm f1.8.

In my camera bag, I always have a Sony 10-18mm f4, Thinktank camera rain cover and a few extra batteries for a full day of shooting.

If I know I am going to be shooting underground (in the Metro), I also carry a Sigma 16mm f1.4.

Size and weight are the major factor here. I have photographed the streets of Paris for the last 7 years and it is amazing how a camera just a little larger attracts attention and I am no longer able to be invisible and be the fly on the wall. When photographing on the street I always try to see and capture those moments where the camera’s presence hasn’t changed the moment.

ABOUT CHRISTOPHER

Christopher Broughton is a world-traveling photographer focusing on street photography, the human within the landscape, and artist portraits.

Find out more on his website https://www.christopherbroughton.com and be sure to follow him on Instagram @chris_broughton, and Facebook @christopherbroughtonphotography.

The post BLACKRAPID Guest Post by Christopher Broughton | Christopher Broughton Photography appeared first on BLACKRAPID.

#LiveTheMoment in Comfort and Style!

INTRODUCING A BRAND-NEW CAMERA STRAP DESIGNED BY WOMEN FOR WOMEN – THE NICOLE ELLIOTT BY BLACKRAPID.

Your camera should be an extension of you, not an annoyance to carry. Your camera gear should add to your creative energy – not inhibit it. Taking its cue from the way women have been carrying their babies for centuries, Nicole Elliott by BLACKRAPID takes the pressure points away from your neck and shoulders by “hugging” your shoulder to evenly distribute the weight.  Allowing you to have full mobility and making your camera feel virtually weightless.  Shoot for hours without feeling fatigue, discomfort or pain! The strap is reversible – black on one side, black and white pattern on the other – business and party in one unique design. The shoulder strap has two pockets for lens caps and two zippered pockets for memory cards, batteries and whatever other small accessories you want to keep close.  The strap has a release trigger snap hook that locks in place when hooked to the 1/4″ screw that attaches securely to the bottom of your camera. And the strap adjusts to up to 63” in diameter, ensuring a perfect fit for any body type.

With its innovative functionality, maximum comfort and unique style this strap will change the way you photograph life. The Nicole Elliott by BLACKRAPID – #LiveTheMoment in Comfort and Style!

The Nicole Elliott by BLACKRAPID is now available exclusively at BLACKRAPID.com. Order yours today! https://www.blackrapid.com/Nicole-Elliott-Strap-by-BLACKRAPID

WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT IT

Carrying around heavy camera gear for an all-day wedding, running and jumping with kids during a family photo shoot, going for a hike in the woods, or simply photographing urban lifestyle can take a toll on our bodies. The new Nicole Elliott by BLACKRAPID changes that experience completely by providing a soft, stylish, reversable shoulder pad that curves with your body and distributes the weight of your gear appropriately. No more sore shoulders or necks after a photoshoot FTW! Here’s our favorite features:

• • Ergonomically Correct: Even weight distribution takes the pressure off your neck and shoulders, making your camera feel weightless.
  • Reversible Fabric: Sophisticated pattern on one side and classic black on the other.
  • Comfortable Shoulder Piece: There’s never been a camera strap that literally “hugs” your shoulder evenly to distribute the weight. This takes the pressure points away from your neck and shoulders allowing you to have full mobility and makes your camera feel virtually weightless.
  • 2 Zippered Pockets and 2 Lens Cap Pockets: You know all that stuff that gets lost in the bottom of your camera bag, or stuffed into a random pocket? You’ll never lose your lens caps again with the two integrated lens cap pockets, and the two zippered pockets which are perfect for those memory cards, business cards, or other small items.
  • Easy adjustment: Need it longer? Need it shorter? Just grab the adjustment strap and pull! Done.
  • Durable, Removable, Water Resistant, Washable Fabric: Simply detach the shoulder strap from nylon strap and rings, wash by hand with mild soap, and lay flat to dry.
  • Right- or Left-handed Wear: With its easy reversible front or back adjustment, the Nicole Elliott by BLACKRAPID can be slung from the left or right shoulder.

To top it off, it’s made with our new high-performance materials and hardware, including the ConnectR (CR-3), LockstaR, FastenR (FR-5), and Camera Safety Tether.

We can gush about this beauty all day long, but we’d rather you discover for yourself what you love most about it. With our 30 day money back guarantee, you can order the Nicole Elliott by BLACKRAPID, try it out, and if you decide it’s not for you, return it within 30 days.

THE HEART BEHIND NICOLE ELLIOTT BY BLACKRAPID

Words from the designer, the beautiful heart and soul behind the Nicole Elliott by BLACKRAPID:

“We are mothers, we are daughters, we are wives and friends…

We love deeply and live passionately.

We are surrounded by a world of wonder and amazement, from little laughs and giggles, to the beautiful people that surround us and the everyday moments that steal our hearts.

Life is a journey…. A bunch of little moments that together make up one big beautiful life.

My hope is that the Elliott strap helps you capture the life around you Confidently, Creatively, Passionately…without borders.

Here’s to a beautiful life captured one shot at a time – one moment at a time.

Every moment, #LiveTheMoment. In comfort and style.”

~ Nicole Elliott

The post It’s Here! The camera strap designed by women for women – Nicole Elliott by BLACKRAPID! appeared first on BLACKRAPID.

BLACKRAPID Ambassador Kevin RC Wilson recently went out to capture images of the New York skyline at night and took along our new Tripod Jacket.

HERE’S WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

“The BLACKRAPID Tripod jacket is amazing for the landscape photographer who’s on the go and doesn’t want to fuss around with grabbing your camera accessories in your travel case. The jacket tucks into itself nicely for when you want to move around so there’s no need to take it off the stand during your shoot. Why didn’t someone think of this sooner?!?”

– Kevin RC Wilson, BLACKRAPID Ambassador

Thanks for sharing your experience and beautiful skyline photos, Kevin!

To learn more about Kevin RC Wilson and his work, visit his website at www.kevinrcwilson.com.

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