BlackRapid R Straps

Over at David DuChemin's excellent Pixelated Image blog, there's an interesting review of BlackRapid R Straps. These are innovative camera straps which are adjustable, and that are worn diagonally across the torso from shoulder to hip.

A locking fastener connects the strap to the tripod socket on either the camera body or the lens. The camera then hangs upside down, "resting securely at your side or in the small of your back, with the lens pointing behind you".

It appears that David -like me- hates straps in general, but found the BlackRapid R Straps to be ideal for his style of shooting. Since I also shoot the same way, and my Op-Tech straps are getting grungy, I resolved that one of these straps would be on my Xmas gift list. I don't believe in Santa, so I'll write it in myself and just get it. I'll then test it and post a review as well, although I'm quite sure that my experience will be similar to David's.

Doing some research on the BlackRapid R Straps, I found that an enterprising soul had "borrowed" its concept and rigged up a DIY version of a "strap" with a fastener. Naturally, if your camera is expendable, go right ahead and follow his lead. If you value your camera, and want an innovative but safe strapping system, then check out the R Straps.

By the way, I had a Canon Mark II strapped over my shoulder as I entered Angkor Wat a couple of years ago...and it suddenly slipped off my shoulder and landed on the stone floor with a resounding thud. The camera was not damaged at all, but it was a heart-stopping incident...so make sure that your camera straps are sturdy and well constructed!

David Lehman: Heart of India

Photograph © David Lehman-All Rights Reserved
A graduate of Columbia University, New Yorker David Lehman was on his way of becoming an attorney until photography interfered with his progression, and called him over. As one can see from his galleries, David has traveled the world and developed a specialty in candid travel portraiture.

His galleries are all of interesting faces, and he occasionally contrasts the smooth young faces with the wrinkles of the elderly. Faces of China, Mountains of Ecuador and Heart of India are three of his main galleries of portraits. However, don't miss his gallery Places, which is of architecture and architectural details...vivid hues and super saturated details!

Royal Cremation In Ubud

Ubud Royal Cremation from Daniel Sato on Vimeo

Susetta Bozzi: China

Photograph © Susetta Bozzi-All Rights Reserved
Susetta Bozzi is a freelance photographer based in Beijing. Following a career in graphic design, she turned to photography full-time. Her photographs have appeared in Vanity Fair, Capital, Io Donna, Corriere Della Sera, Gente Viaggi and L'Express.

Most of her portfolios are China-centric, but she also has a few galleries of India, the Phillipines and Thailand. Although I chose her above photograph from the gallery From Chamdo to Lhasa" for this post, I was fascinated by her photographs of Yiwu, a town in China which is a Muslim trading post. Its stores cater to traders who come from all over the Islamic world and beyond. It reminds me of the ancient Samarkand and similar legendary trading posts on the Silk Route, where caravans would stop to trade and rest.

Lightroom 2.0

Adobe announced that Lightroom 2.0 was officially available from its website. The photo management software costs $299 and the upgrade is $99.

The improvements in Lightroom 2.0 over its beta version can be found here

Thomas Hawk lists 10 best things he likes about Lightroom 2.0 (via Imaging Insider)

Wanderlust Photo Contest

This year's Wanderlust Travel Photo of the Year competition has just opened for entries - offering trips to Mexico for the four amateur category winners.

The competition features four amateur categories: People, Wildlife, Landscape and Travel Icons. The winner of each will be awarded a 'photo commission' for two to Mexico, including accommodation.

The closing date is 1 December 2008.

There will also be a separate award for best portfolio. Open to amateurs and professionals, this boasts a £5,000 cash prize. Last year an amateur photographer triumphed over professionals to win this category.

The best shots from the competition will be published in The Independent newspaper and in Wanderlust magazine, which organises the annual awards. The winning and shortlisted entries will also go on show at the Destinations 2009 travel show in London.

It appears that the contest's terms and conditions confirm that copyright in entries remains with the photographer, however read them carefully before committing to participating.