Chrome Niko Camera Bag Sling In Action

I'm so thoroughly impressed with the Chrome Niko Camera Bag sling that I bought over a year ago that I absolutely have to share. I've used it more lately, and especially most recently for our gigantic European adventure over the Christmas and New Years holiday to London, Paris and Madrid. It was my only bag used for the 3 week trip (with a small rolling suitcase that held my laptop). It held absolutely everything that I needed and actually made the long haul home even better by protecting some beautiful artwork by a Parisian street artist! I am just blown away by how much it held, how great it worked, how the buckle made it easy to snap around the pull arm of my luggage...seriously incredible. This small camera bag is a must have for anyone traveling with camera equipment:

ITEMS CARRIED, at the same time:

• Joby DSLR Tripod
• iPad Pro w/Apple Pencil (yay even the cap survived!)
• Over the ear headphones
• small moleskine reporter w/blackwing
• gloves (flip over mittens with fingerless!)
• Canon 60D
• Shure Lenshopper DSLR shotgun (mounted!)
• Osmo Mobile Gimbal (LOVE this thing!!!!)
• Canon 24mm pancake lens
• Zeiss 35mm lens
• analog pencil case & sharpener
• Peak Design camera strap (must have)
• lens cloths
• all the power cords ever (iphone, Apple Watch, Osmo, headphone)
• charger and extra 60D battery
• 2TB hard drive
• California bear hat
• Art from an adorable little man drawing along the river in Paris, outside of the Louvre.

The only small note is that I would like to see the heavy seatbelt Chrome buckle in black or even a smaller version for this bag--it got me stopped at several boarding gates because it makes the bag seem larger when over the shoulder because the chrome seatbelt is very prominent. They now offer a camo version with the black buckle but I would like the black on black option, I'm not into carrying camo at the airport, or really anywhere for that matter.

Frame BY Endless Frame Time Lapse

I started thinking...what has been my favorite thing to film? I mean, so far. I have to say that filming time-lapse in Maine on vacation with my hilarious extended family. Sure, maybe it's because it was such a quiet, clean, calm morning at the colony--one of my very favorite places on earth.  It was my love of purist, photography --brought to life with motion. It's superb, while not true "frame-by-frame." So zooming in for higher resolution isn't an option! Fast forward to this week, I started in...fighting with Magic Lantern on my Canon 60D again. The problem has been audio with my Zoom h4n using the Sescom cable. I found the breakthrough that I needed (this helpful audio forum) and we set out for Treasure Island to record actual frame by frame time lapse (using the intervelometer of ML)!

It was the perfect end to a perfect day @ the Treasure Island Flea.

Best Camera Strap Ever.

I love the innovative film gear that spawns from Kickstarter projects! I'm such a sucker for'em. So when I stumbled across the new Leash & Cuff project I had to jump on. I've been using a Luma sling and I love it, but it doesn't do what I need it to do...stay safely at my side so that I can enjoy life, live in my surroundings without being sidetracked by my camera's whereabouts at all times. I like spontaneous photography and documentary clips, but that's not easy when your camera is a burden. After upgrading my primary shooting lens to the incredible Zeiss 35mm f2, I was concerned about my luma sling--letting my camera bounce around. Enter the Leash by Peak Designs! It's absolutely perfect, in every way. It is constructed of thin seatbelt material that glides perfectly over your clothing--to pull quickly for a shot. But the multiple spot configuration options (strap, sling from the bottom, sling on the side & bottom) makes it perfect for getting your camera in the best spot for YOU. You can also stick your foot in it or wrap it around your belt for stabilizing a shot or shooting video. It's tremendous.

When I throw my camera in a bag, this strap is so soft and slim that I can just let it fall on top...and then she's ready to grab and go!

I'm concerned that the little bobble clip connectors are going to weaken on the strap...but as long as its not too quickly--I'll just buy another.

I also grabbed a Capture clip with my pledge...and it's just as awesome. I haven't used it as much because the strap is best suited for my usual style, but it's mounted on my Kata bag in waiting for a good mission...say San Francisco Chinatown!?

Back to 3D photo editing! Wheeee!

We Shipped Our Hearts to San Francisco

Whew! Starting out on my own freelancing is a big undertaking.  We've crossed so many barriers to get here and I'm glad to report that we are finally "settled" in the San Francisco Bay Area!  My only regret is that I didn't come out here sooner.  It is truly a magnificent place. I've lived a lot of different places and I've never called them home.  This...this is our home.

Please be patient as I get our new site up and running.  I have loads of new projects coming.  Shipping our storage pods across country was a bit of a puzzle to put back together.  But we're here...we're buying the equipment that we've spent years preparing for and I can't wait to show you what we can do with it.

If you've never shot with a Carl Zeiss lens, I highly recommend it.  We upgraded to a 35mm F2 and I cannot take it off my camera.  It's amazing. Lights? Who needs 'em with this fast of a lens. (Which is fortunate since one of my bulbs crashed to the ground and broke during a shoot at work before I left Chicago!)

Also on the horizon is a new Leash & Capture from Peak Designs. I'm thrilled because I carry my camera everywhere.  Surprisingly, I want to do weird things like hike and climb mountains now that there is just so incredibly much to see...

And last, but certainly not least...we're anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Rhino Carbon Slider!!!  I love photography gear Kickstarters, what can I say.

I can say: I love you San Francisco. Every single part of you.  You were worth the wait.