BLACKRAPID HAS HUNG AROUND MY BODY IN SOME WAY ON THE VAST MAJORITY OF MY PHOTOSHOOTS FOR THE ENTIRE TIME I’VE BEEN SHOOTING PROFESSIONALLY.

I was working side by side with Peter Treadway when we discovered these awesome straps and although I’d patented (lying) a ‘death grip’ method for securing my regular stock strap to my arm, these things just took the lead and I haven’t stopped using mine ever since.

THEY’RE GREAT FOR WHAT I DO – I OFTEN FIND MYSELF WALKING LONG DISTANCES IN MY SEARCH FOR LANDSCAPES AND SCENIC VISTAS.

On one occasion however, I required my BLACKRAPID strap whilst being taken to the vista by another means. The safety brief was pretty straight forward: – Make sure everything in your hands is attached to you, and don’t stick your head out! One out of two isn’t bad, right?

THE REST OF THAT BRIEF WAS COVERED BY THE STRENGTH AND SECURITY OF HALF OF MY BLACKRAPID RS-DR1.

I was very excited by the prospect of a helicopter ride, especially as I’d had some awesome flights before and I’m so into drone photography that I’m forearmed with the knowledge of what works and what doesn’t with aerial photos. The other thing I had on my side for this amazing experience is my passion for aviation and experience of flight, meaning I have an absolutely zero chance of getting motion sickness and I’m quite comfortable hanging out of a helicopter despite having a pretty knee-trembling aversion to heights!

PREPPED FOR THE FLIGHT, BRIEFED TO THE EYEBALLS, STRAPPED IN FIVE-WAYS, AND WITH MY PHONE AND DSLR TETHERED TO MYSELF, IT WAS TIME TO FLY!

Let me tell you this one important piece of life advice: – If you ever get the opportunity to fly in a helicopter with the doors off, do it! A helicopter ride is pretty cool in its own right, but take the obstruction out and have nothing much between you and the view and you’ve got a winner. Take a look at this: –

MIAMI WAS A WHISTLESTOP TOUR FOR ME ON THIS TRIP.

I spent just the one night there and so had limited time to soak up as much as I could that the party city has to offer. Bustling with art, culture, cocktails, music, food, and influences from all across the Caribbean and Central and South America, this place to me is what I envisage Havana to look like had their not been an embargo. When I visit somewhere so briefly I try to get the best view from the highest spot, spending a moment up there enjoying and capturing the vista or the skyline. This flight, it turns out, was the perfect replacement and was a fantastic way to get the feel of the city and the beach, and enjoy a little exhilaration with the sun setting behind downtown Miami.

Dave Williams is a travel photographer and social media influencer, writer, educator, and blogger, based in London, UK. His work has featured worldwide in renowned publications and campaigns, and customers including Time, National Geographic, Lonely Planet, The Times, Shell, Marie Claire, and many, many more.

Find out more about him on his website www.capturewithdave.com, and be sure to follow him on Instagram @capturewithdave and Facebook Dave Williams capturewithdave.

The post BLACKRAPID Guest Post by Dave Williams | Photographing Miami From a Helicopter appeared first on BLACKRAPID.

I GUESS IT’S COMING UP ON A YEAR NOW AND THE MEMORY OF DRIVING DOWN MY STREET THE MORNING AFTER HURRICANE IRMA HIT THE FLORIDA KEYS STILL STICKS VERY CLOSELY IN THE BACK OF MY MIND.

A neighborhood that was once canopied by beautiful 50-year-old shade trees was now ripped open, brightened with contrast and covered in debris so bad that we had to chainsaw our way down the street and back into our driveway. The most immediate need was for generators and chainsaws, food and water was next, and then finally getting cell service and power back 5 days later.

BEING A JOURNALIST I WAS NOT ONLY OBSERVANT ABOUT HOW THE AREA LOOKED PRIOR TO THE STORM,

but I captured the before as well as the after reporting all that I saw to Getty Images every step of the way. The before pictures convey the story just as strongly as the after shots. I shot drone footage of the traffic patterns heading out of The Keys that were used by Google maps during the evacuation of the Lower Keys.

LEADING UP TO THE STORM, I PHOTOGRAPHED EVERYTHING FROM PEOPLE BOARDING UP THEIR HOMES AND BUSINESSES, TO BOATS BEING TIED OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF CANALS TO KEEP THEM AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

I made sure to photograph many of the antique classic hotel and restaurant signs highlighting them in their glory days feeling that they might not be there after the storm.

AFTER THE STORM THE DEVASTATION WAS EVERYWHERE.

There was debris piled up on the side of the road along with seaweed, boats, jet skis, coolers, and ever type of appliance along the tree lines. It looked like a junkyard in a war zone.

They were iconic images in every direction such as the 70-foot sailboat that ran aground in ocean front backyards which is still there today, and the subject of a lawsuit over who’s responsible.

THERE IS WHAT LOCALS ARE CALLING “THE SUNKEN HOUSE”

which is an entire two-story home sunk into the ground in the Lower Keys along the Atlantic coast line. This backdrop was used by many of the news agencies that descended into the Florida Keys in the aftermath of hurricane Irma. I happened to be there when the family that used to live there returned to survey the damage. Today, the home remains un-touched, condemned, and the subject of a large insurance dispute.

OF COURSE, THE HARDEST HITS WERE THE HOMES ALONG THE SHORELINE AND ESPECIALLY MOBILE HOMES AND TRAILERS.

Most of the communities were devastated to the point of no return and many of those people have had to relocate to other states.

THEY HAVE CLEANED UP MOST OF THE MOUNTAINS OF DEBRIS WE CALLED “MOUNT IRMA’S” THAT WERE PILED UP FOLLOWING THE STORM,

but clean up crews are only now starting to clean out the hardest hit canals and waterways. Canals in Marathon Key were filled so high with sunken debris from in-tact Winnebago’s, trailers, and entire motorhomes immersed right below the roofline, that you could walk across them and not get your feet wet.

THERE WERE SO MANY FLOODED HOMES AND DESTROYED CONTENTS THAT ONE PART OF ISLAMORADA A HALF MILE STRETCH OF ROAD BECAME KNOWN AS “APPLIANCE ALLEY.”

There were hundreds, if not thousands, of washers and dryers, barbecue grills and smokers, refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, bait freezers, microwave ovens, and anything else that had to be disposed of in a professional manner lined up on the side of the road.

THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE MY INITIAL FEELING UPON FINDING MYSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AFTERMATH OF THIS DEVASTATING STORM WAS THAT MY SIGHT, MY SMELL, AND MY HEARING WERE TURNED UPSIDE DOWN OVERNIGHT.

The once quiet and peaceful island became abrupt and loud with chainsaws, sirens, and helicopters overhead. The once clean, fresh, and pristine ocean air was filled with the smell of dead fish and animals as well as garbage and rotting food. My incredible sunrise and sunset views turned into war zone type areas along the side of the road and the oceans filled with sunken boats and debris. The once prevalent taste of the freshest seafood in the world turned into Bob’s burgers, canned food, and hotdogs on the grill. We are back to about 85% of where we were a year ago with hotels and restaurants that have re-opened, but our biggest industry, sport fishing and diving, is still hurting with the hotel rooms having been down for so long. No heads in bed = no tourists and no fishing and diving charters.

WE ARE NOT WORRIED THOUGH, OUR COMMUNITY REMAINS “KEYS STRONG.”

Marc Serota is an award-winning photographer, videographer, and Founder PolaroidUniversity.com. Find out more about him on his website www.marcserota.com, and be sure to follow him on Instagram @marcserotaphoto and Facebook Marc Serota.

The post BLACKRAPID Guest Post by Marc Serota | Photographing Hurricane Irma in the Florida Keys 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.

The post BLACKRAPID Guest Review by Ambassador Kevin RC Wilson | BLACKRAPID Tripod Jacket appeared first on BLACKRAPID.

WHEN I FIRST PIKED UP A CAMERA,

I found the stock strap to be uncomfortable and quite unfashionable. As a matter of fact, I didn’t even attach it. And to this day, it’s still in the box. But, I needed a support system and a reliable support system for projects that required multiple cameras in a run and gun scenario. Overtime, I grew into an advanced style of photography, but still required a strap that was comfortable and could adapt to extreme adventure. The BLACKRAPID sling strap system has always been the answer.

AT HIGH-ALTITUDE MOTHER NATURE IS IN COMPLETE CONTROL, YOU MUST HAVE THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT, RIGHT TEAM, AND A FIRM FOCUS.

Within the first pre-production meeting for Wings Of Kilimanjaro, we didn’t touch on the risk or mental attrition we would face, instead we focused on the objective. The goal was to not only para-glide off the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro at 19,341 feet, but more importantly to provide education and clean water to the Maasai of Tanzania. In partnership with Nadus Films, our job was to document this great charitable event from start to finish.

MOUNT KILIMANJARO IS THE HIGHEST FREE-STANDING MOUNTAIN IN THE WORLD AND IS THE MOST UNIQUE.

As you trek to the top you pass through four different ecosystems; rain forest to moorland to alpine desert and finally to alpine glacier across volcanic erosion. The equipment list was extensive and detailed, but the proper gear was vital. It has to be the most durable, weather resistant, lightweight, equipment available.

ON AN EXPEDITION SUCH AS THIS, COMFORT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE INTO MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH.

If you’re uncomfortable, hardship will drill through your body like a bullet. A ten-pound camera can feel like twenty at high-altitude. On Mount Kilimanjaro, a proper support system was crucial and the sling-style strap and soft breathable cushion of the Curve Breathe from BLACKRAPID offset that camera weight, so I continue to climb at the same time in comfort. We pushed through seven trying days of long treks and acclimatization beginning at 3,000 feet all the way to 19,341 feet. I had to haul gear, be ahead of the pack and double time the pace. The cam buckles on the strap allowed me to be versatile in any situation. With the quick zip of the buckle, I could lock my camera in place and continue with the expedition.

ONCE AT THE TOP, OUR DESCENT WAS A FOURTY-FIVE MINUTE, FROZEN FLIGHT STRAIGHT DOWN.

In order to sail off the summit, we had to sprint down the face of Uhuru Peak hoping for a wind cycle to lift the glider and the weight of the pilot and passenger. After an exhausting six-hour summit bid, this dash was the hardest obstacle I faced on the journey, especially with the additional weight of the harness and camera equipment. But, the Backpack Breathe strap was the perfect solution to maintaining a center of gravity, with the DSLR secured to my chest. 

THE GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT

Although our expedition Wings Of Kilimanjaro pulled off an amazing feat and set a world record, I believe our greatest accomplishment was not para-gliding off Mount Kilimanjaro at 19,341 feet. Our triumph was raising over a half-million dollars to save the lives of thousands of Maasai in the remote villages of Tanzania.

#LIVETHEMOMENT WITH CLAY COOK

Clay Cook is a BLACKRAPID Ambassador. Discover more about his work over at www.claycookphoto.com.

For more information on Nadus Films, visit www.nadusfilms.com.

Discover more about the Wings of Kilimanjaro project and participate at www.wingsofkilimanjaro.com.

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OVER THE COURSE OF MY CAREER THERE HAVE BEEN

various pieces of equipment that come along and fundamentally change the way I work. The Leica M6, the Canon 5d MK III, and my introduction to BLACKRAPID camera strap support system are a few of them. Whilst on assignment in the forests of Quebec on “Chaos Walking” with Daisy Ridley and Tom Holland, I had the opportunity to fully road test the BLACKRAPID camera straps wading through rivers and hiking up hillsides to keep up with the fast paced hand-held filmmaking.

2018 STARTED WITH A PRETTY BIG BANG WITH THE RELEASE

of “Red Sparrow” starring Jennifer Lawrence and I have also been shooting Mark Wahlberg again this time on a production called “Mile 22” in Bogotá, Colombia. The filming called for major traffic arteries to be closed to enable us to blow up vehicles and to stage a massive gun fight in the center of the Colombian capital. With 5 Panavision cameras filming the action I was separated from my working bags for most of the day and relied on my BLACKRAPID Double Breathe harness and Sport Breathe single sling camera strap to support 3 cameras around my body and a BLACKRAPID Wrist Strap Breathe to keep my M10 close at hand. In an ideal world I wouldn’t want to load myself down with so much gear at one time, but this configuration allowed to me to work on the run and not be without any lens or camera I might require.

ARRIVING ON SET ARMED WITH THE CORRECT EQUIPMENT

and necessary background preparation to collaborate with the project effectively is essential. It is important to understand the content of the film, the message it is trying to convey, and who the targeted audience is.

MY PREPARATION WILL INCLUDE READING OF THE SCRIPT,

reviewing the “mood boards” and breaking down the script to ensure that I have the correct equipment readily available. This is a key point since by understanding the potential filming scenarios of rain sequences, special effects scenes, etc. and will dictate my equipment package. I always use my Think Tank Photo cases and BLACKRAPID camera straps for my Sony and Leica systems. I like to keep duplicate kits with different lenses to help with my work flow and I find the BLACKRAPID Hybrid Breathe and BLACKRAPID Double Breathe strap essential to my work.

IN ADDITION TO THE PHYSICAL PREPARATIONS I ALWAYS

like to spend some time talking with the DP and Director about the look and tone of the visuals to be photographed. I strive to ensure that my work reflects the vision of the filmmakers and provides a consistent representation which is quite often the first visual seen by the public. With the prep complete and the sleepless night before the first day of photography over it’s time to get the sleeves rolled up and begin filming. Knowing the background and experience of the crew is always helpful especially if I’m not familiar with the core group, although after 75 shows its rare that I am the stranger on set.

MY ADVICE TO PHOTOGRAPHERS WANTING TO GET INTO THE INDUSTRY

would be to get as much experience as possible and hone your craft whether it working on short films, additional 2nd unit still photography, or aiding an experienced established photographer who may be able to provide insider’s advice. Your portfolio will be your “calling card” so ensure it is up to date and shows the viewers a range of work in different working situations.

Murray Close is a BLACKRAPID Associate Ambassador. Discover more about Murray and his work at http://murrayclose.com/.

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