Portland, Oregon.
nathancward@gmail.com
The is the 4th time I've shot photos of my goofy buddy Katie. Went to some places I had been before, but also discovered new hidden-gem locations in the process. We got lucky with nice spring sun and temperatures that invited everyone outside. These photos were all taken in the Hocking Hills region of South Eastern Ohio.
Camera straps are an essential piece of gear for all photographers, and one that is often underemphasized considering it suspends extremely valuable items and often times, comes into direct contact with our skin. Most frequently I observe photographers with red and black Canon straps or black and yellow Nikon straps that advertise what model of camera you are carrying and in effect, it's price tag. I'm slightly paranoid so I've been using a grey and black strap made overseas that feels like a mushy sponge but at least doesn't say CANON FULL FRAME MODEL 6D $1899 MSRP CASH MONEY on the side of it. It's only recently that I started thinking there could be more to a camera strap, which is how I found the Clawkeeper Cross Body Camera Strap.
Clawkeeper is a one person company based in Columbus, OH that makes a variety of handmade leather goods including wallets, custom tool rolls (that cater to the motorcycle crowd), razor strops, and leather tote bags. It seems only natural that Clawkeeper would turn their attention to handmade, high quality leather camera straps as an extension of their current product line up. These products fit neatly into America's resurgence of valuing craft, material quality, and durability. This is a lifetime camera strap that you can depend on and use to it's limits.
The Cross Body Strap (CBS) is made using "all natural veg tan cowhide, solid nickel or brass hardware, cut, stamped, dyed, finished, and riveted by hand". My test version came in black, with the nickel hardware. The camera has a simple buckle system to adjust it's sizing that was effective for someone in my height category (5'11). When not in use the camera hangs almost upside down which users of sling design camera straps will find familiar (check this out for an illustration). When it's time to shoot, you grab the camera hanging near your waist and bring it up towards your eye, while the camera slides up the strap that hangs across your body. If that seems confusing check out the fit photos below. Carrying cameras in this manner can feel strange at first but to many of us that enjoy sling designs, it becomes second nature because of the way the weight of your gear is distributed. To attach your camera to the CBS a D ring screw is secured to the cameras tripod mount, then the strap in clipped onto the D ring with a trigger snap....although Clawkeeper has said this part of the design is a work in progress and future straps might have a different locking mechanism such as a carabiner.
The styling of the strap is definitely on the heavy side, making me think of leather horse bridles and reigns. It's a strap that gets noticed and your friends will all ask you about it. This test sample has a BDSM vibe because of it's black dye and silver hardware, a look that I really enjoyed. The CBS will also be available in a natural finish for people wanting an alternative. This strap would fit right in at a wedding if you were wearing a sport coat or alternatively, at a motorcycle rally wearing an old leather jacket passed down to you from your crazy, risk-taking uncle. This strap might actually make you dress BETTER as a photographer, a group of people notorious for curating wardrobes dominated by khaki.
What really struck me about the Cross Body Strap was how rigid the leather was while still being flexible. The best parallels I can draw are to a Brooks Saddle or a new pair of Red Wing Boots (raw selvedge denim is similar in this way also). These are craft items highly respected in their fields for taking many years just to break in. Expect a similar use curve with the CBS: a break in period will be essential to long term use. Stick with it and don't give up. Use this strap at the beginning with a collared shirt for some padding, as your neck and the strap get acquainted. I personally loved the feel of this strap and noticed no discomfort after using the test piece on multiple shoots, but I want to give all my readers a fair warning to those accustomed to cushiony nylon straps (and ready to wear Levi's). The Cross Body Strap retails for $180, which is a premium above the average camera strap, but this isn't the average camera strap, so comparing is rather difficult. A cursory internet search yielded mostly very small, non-adjustable, skimpy leather straps in the $35-$125 dollar range. For the ruggedness that the CBS brings, the cost is certainly justified.
This strap is perfect for heavy cameras, full frame DSLR's with large prime lenses, or cameras with large zoom lenses attached. My feeling is that even medium format users could safely use the CBS if they carry their Mamiya or Contax medium format units in the field. The CBS might be overkill for smaller body rangefinders or mirrorless cameras, but that's my opinion. If you like the styling and you own a smaller camera, go with your gut.
The Cross Body Camera Strap can be purchased directly here.
Clawkeeper camera straps are also available at Midwest Photo Exchange here.
PROS: USA made, outstanding material quality and craftmanship, standout from the crowd styling, rugged, durable.
CONS: Heavy materials, sling style not for all photographers, (might) not be suitable for small cameras (just get a wrist strap already!),
I was faced with a problem many photographers have when trying to figure out what camera bag to use. This is the problem of owning a high quality bag not explicitly made for cameras. Suddenly this bag that you know every feature and detail of is not getting as much use because it does not accommodate or protect your camera assets. The bag in question for me was a Bailey Works messenger bag that my little brother gave to me as a gift 5 years ago (Thanks Kevin, I love this bag). I have taken the Bailey Works on trips to Italy and Morocco, multiple camping trips, and have used it to cart drum equipment around my hometown of Columbus. It's a lifetime bag that can accommodate almost anything, so why stop using such a high quality piece of gear? I discovered the Snoop Camera Insert from Timbuk2 which I believe to be a great solution for converting your "anything' bag into a camera bag.
The Snoop comes in three sizes, XS, S, and M. I went with the small version, even though from pictures and looking at the dimensions on the Timbuk2 site, I still was not totally confident of its size (hopefully this review helps illustrate how large or small it is). The small has worked out great because it leaves ample room in the main pocket of my messenger bag for a laptop in a sleeve, a folded reflector, and small articles of clothing in addition to holding the Snoop (see photo below).
The Snoop is made of a gunmetal colored nylon fabric with a rugged single zipper enclosure, and features a single handle for easy lifting. The inside of the bag is lined with an anti-scratch tricot lining (meaning: SOFT) that has walls that velcro to the sides of the bag to configure a variety of shapes. I found the velcro very robust and hard to disattach from the lining, both good features of this insert and surprisingly something other bag makers pay little attention to. The Snoop seems durable enough from every angle to keep your gear protected inside of a larger bag.
Here are photos depicting the interior of the bag. The top picture shows how I used the inserts to create extra padding for my gear. The bottom gives you a good idea of what the inserts look like partially removed. The Snoop is great for transporting a minimal array of gear. I fit my full frame DSLR with lens attached in the center compartment, my rangefinder film camera to the left, and an extra lens for my DSLR in the compartment to the right. It's possible to fit a tiny bit more gear in here, but it would have to sit on top of other gear which is not ideal. My messenger bag has ample pockets and stowaway spots for other photo accessories like batteries, memory cards, and rolls of film and because of the design, Timbuk2 assumes you will use your messenger bag in this way too.
So my feeling is that the Snoop is great for a lot of reasons. First off, it's affordability is unparalleled in the world of camera bags (the SM is 49.99 from Timbuk2's website.) The Snoop is ideal for those who simply cannot afford some next level bag, or otherwise do not need it. Secondly, it gets the job done in a compact and secure package. If the Snoop is zippered inside your messenger, someone sticking their hand in your bag would just find another bag that they could not secretly remove. The bag's padding and inserts will keep your camera safe in most situations, adding a necessary layer to your piece of mind. Thirdly, the Snoop could possibly be named after a rapper, which anyone listening to hip hop since the 90's will appreciate. The Snoop would NOT be good for: 1. Photographers with lots of gear. The Snoop just isn't made to be the end all design for that purpose. 2. Photographers with telephoto lenses. Again, this little guy is just not made for Terminator type glass. 3. Photographers who relish the ability to pull their camera out of their bag with lighting speed. Get a sling pack for that. All in all, I commend Timbuk2 on a very cool product that is well suited for it's intended design. Don't hesitate to snag a Snoop for transporting a minimal (but still important) amount of camera gear in a bag that you already know and love.
I photographed Sam and Dustin last summer for the first time. It was a magical day of shooting in a forest during a rainstorm, and trudging through a lake to capture some of my favorite photos of all time. Two of the photos lead off the portfolio section of my website. So last week when I got the chance to meet up for another photo session, this time shot at night, in an apartment...I couldn't say no. The majority of the photos for this session are extremely colorful, lots of pinks and bright light. I've decided to limit this post to the black and white edits I've drawn out from all the wild color, to create a small, focused set. Fun fact, Sam and Dustin met at our shoot last summer for the first time.
