BLACKRAPID has been Turning the Camera World Upside Down since 2008. Over a Million Photographers later, we’re still the World’s Most Trusted Camera Strap.

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I’ll be at a show opening, and someone will come up to my work for the first time, and then promptly ask, “How long did this take?” The answer is always the same, “A while longer than I planned.”

I MAKE INTRICATE DIGITAL COLLAGES,

combining hundreds if not thousands of my own images of flora and fauna together to form a new shape. It’s a simple if not repetitive process; photograph and catalog my images in LR, then shop from that catalog while collaging to build up the shape. Repeat until done. (On average each piece is 30-40hrs in Photoshop alone.)

WHILE SIMPLE, IT IS TIME INTENSIVE.

So, I decided pretty early on that I needed to make sure my work didn’t overtake my entire life and would need to find a way to streamline the whole process.

THE EASIEST WAY TO DO THAT WAS TO SHAVE DOWN MY KIT AND KEEP IT SIMPLE AND COMFORTABLE TO CARRY.

I now keep one camera, one lens, my Nicole Elliott by BLACKRAPID strap, a travel light, a backpack, a studio light (it’s a desk lamp) some black cards and a water spritzer. That is it.

I MOSTLY SHOOT MY SUBJECTS IN THE STUDIO, BUT I ALWAYS TAKE MY GEAR WITH ME WHILE WALKING THE DOG OR WHILE HIKING.

Because you never know when the perfect inky cap mushroom will be there just waiting to be photographed and added to the arsenal of “things to be collaged with” – and I also love making the strangers around me assume (correctly) that I’m a bit odd. So, it’s a win-win.

THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER I TAKE UPWARDS OF 500+ IMAGES EVERY DAY

of everything I can find, often growing many of my subjects in my garden.

DURING THE WINTER,

I habitually stay in my tiny studio (which may or may not be a converted walk-in closet) and collage my visions together.

IT’S NOT A CONVENTIONAL LIFE, BUT I LOVE IT.

I built myself the perfect job that mixes my love of bugs, plants, and art.

Meggan Joy is a photographic artist in Seattle, Washington. Her work focuses on personifying nature in a surreal way. This digitally staged imagery is created by breaking down the documentary medium of traditional photography and forcing it instead, to depict an ethereal subject made from scratch; which combines the natural sciences with recognizable human forms and references of classic iconography. She is represented by Core Gallery www.coregallery.org and will have a solo show in May of 2019. You can follow Meggan on Instagram @meggan.joy and find out more about her on her website www.MegganJoy.com.

Get your own Nicole Elliott by BLACKRAPID camera strap at www.blackrapid.com/Nicole-Elliott-Strap-by-BLACKRAPID.

The post BLACKRAPID Guest Post by Meggan Joy | A Modest Kit to Make Complex Art appeared first on BLACKRAPID.

I started Shotkit back in 2014 to scratch my own itch of wanting to know what my favourite photographers carried in their camera bags.

EVERYONE KNOWS THAT A GOOD CAMERA DOESN’T MAKE A GOOD PHOTOGRAPHER,

but most of us in the photography industry are passionate about the camera gear we use, and we’re all a little curious about the gear used by our peers!

OVER THE YEARS, SHOTKIT HAS MORPHED INTO A POPULAR RESOURCE FOR ALL THINGS PHOTOGRAPHY AND GEAR RELATED,

but the goal of the site is still to provide an accessible place for both beginners and pros to have a snoop inside the camera bags of photographers.

After receiving so many submissions from photographers around the world, I’ve been given a unique insight into the most popular photography gear in use by professionals today… and of course, BLACKRAPID is a name that keeps popping up.

IT’S INTERESTING TO SEE DIFFERENT TRENDS EMERGE IN THE INDUSTRY,

particularly how mirrorless cameras are disrupting the throne that’s been held for so many years by the trusty DSLR.

Whatever your stance is on using a camera with an EVF vs a traditional OVF, the future of cameras which rely on cumbersome mirrors to capture images is looking admittedly bleak.

Personally, I made the switch to mirrorless cameras for my wedding photography work earlier this year and have been enjoying the experience… although I must say there are still times when I miss my DSLR.

AS FOR SHOTKIT, I’LL CONTINUE TO PUBLISH IN-DEPTH REVIEWS ON THE LATEST CAMERA GEAR

to help both beginners and professional photographers who need advice about their next purchases… not to mention of course those of us with a dose of the dreaded G.A.S.!

I definitely don’t condone buying gear for the sake of it, or amassing a whole arsenal of camera accessories that hardly gets used. I’ve taken a rather minimalist approach to my wedding photography, in a hope to encourage creativity through limitation, often using just one camera body and one lens for an entire day.

That said, I still think it’s worthwhile to invest in new gear from time to time if it helps with your motivation and creativity, and let’s face it, we do all like new toys after all

FROM PHOTOGRAPHERS SHOWING OFF THEIR BEST WORK AND FAVOURITE PHOTOGRAPHY GADGETS AND GIZMOS, TO GEAR REVIEWS, BUSINESS ADVICE AND CREATIVE INSPIRATION, THERE’S SOMETHING ON SHOTKIT FOR EVERYONE.

If you’re reading this and thinking that you’d like to have your work featured on Shotkit, then come on over and get involved! Whether you own one camera or ten, I’d love to have you on-board.

Mark Condon is a photographer and founder of ShotKit, the popular blog that gives readers an inside look inside the camera bags of some of the most highly regarded photographers around the world.

Find out more about him on his website ShotKit.com, and be sure to follow him on Instagram @shotkit and his Facebook page, ShotKit.

The post BLACKRAPID Guest Post by Mark Condon | Peek inside the Camera Bags of the World’s Best Photographers 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.

AS A NATURE AND LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHER,

I often have the chance of photographing waterfalls, rivers, landscapes with cloudy skies, and sea in the frame. Every time I find these elements with me, I like to take advantage of the long exposure technique, which best enhances all the features of these elements in the image composition.

To photograph a long exposure there are many factors to consider: the location, the weather, the composition of the image including camera settings. Among these factors I always give some importance in removing the camera strap and it is in this latest task that I want to concentrate more on the use I make of BLACKRAPID products.

REMOVING THE CAMERA STRAP IS VERY USEFUL

to avoid the risk of movement caused by the wind which makes unwanted shakings on the camera. Imagine being in a windy place, the vibrations that the wind has on your camera strap can cause it to bang repeatedly against the camera and/or tripod, and affect the quality of your long exposure.

FOR THIS REASON I CONSIDER THAT REMOVING THE CAMERA STRAP IS A VERY USEFUL OPTION,

and BLACKRAPID in this represents a valid ally. In my current configuration I use a Cross Shot Breathe, which allows me to have an excellent camera strap that loads the weight on the shoulders, is equipped with adjustable length that allows you to adjust it according to your own height and have your camera easily at your fingertips. My camera with the lens mounted is quite heavy, this band allows me to walk with the camera ready for use without having all that weight load on my neck.

CROSS SHOT BREATHE INCLUDES

the connector (CR-3), LockStar, and FastenR5 (FR-5) hardware that mounts very safe for the camera and has a very quick and simple release reducing the time needed to remove the belt. Currently I use this strap with a very useful accessory, the FastenR Tripod (FR-T1) Breathe threaded post to fit standard tripod-mount hole in substitution of the original d-ring on the Manfrotto RC-2 200PL-14 quick release plate.

THE FASTENR TRIPOD (FR-T1) BREATHE HAS A DOCKING RING COMPATIBLE

with the Cross Shot Breathe connector and has a greater hold on the camera than the original. Once the two elements are hooked, it is possible to use the camera strap directly attached to the tripod plate to allow a very rapid transition from the shoulder to the tripod. This allows a quick and optimal use of the Camera and allows to reduce to time the technical times of removal of the strap camera during the use of long exposures.

Giuseppe Sapori is a professional landscape photographer and travel blogger based in Rome, Italy. Discover more about Giuseppe and his work at www.thetimestuck.com.

Special thanks to our official Italian distributor, Ra.Ma. Srl, for collaborating with Giuseppe and our team for this special product review on our website.

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