3 Surprising Ways to Make a Day of Taking Photos Even Better
If you're like me, you probably have a day of shooting photos at the top of your list of fun things to do.
I like photographing landscapes, so a day of shooting for me involves the bonus of being outside catching gorgeous views and enjoying the fresh air.
But no matter what type of photos you like to take, actually having an entire day to take them is the best medicine for a long week at the office.
As good as it feels to be out shooting photos, there are ways that you can make it an even better experience...
Treat Yourself to a Great Camera Bag
I've said it before, and I'll say it again...
One of the most important, yet most underrated pieces of kit you can buy is a good camera bag.
Photographers that have cheap bags or (gasp) use their old backpack like I did back in the day just simply do not know what they're missing in terms of functionality and comfort.
And though shooting photos for a day isn't necessarily supposed to be a lazy, comfortable day, after a few hours lugging around your gear in a poorly constructed bag, you're ready to call it quits for the day, right?
That's where a good camera bag comes in...
When looking for a camera bag that is comfortable, durable, and can carry a ton of stuff, look no further than the Holdfast Sightseer Collection.
Included in the collection is the Sightseer Backpack, a bag that packs a punch both in the comfort and storage space departments.
The contoured and padded shoulder straps give the bag a comfortable fit, even when loaded for bear.
That means you can shoot all day long because carrying your camera, lenses, and other essentials will be a breeze.
It's an incredibly functional bag too.
Inside, you'll find dedicated compartments for a DSLR, a 15-inch laptop, batteries and chargers, and just about anything else you need.
The Sightseer is lined in Aztec flannel fleece that cradles your gear in the ultimate of softness, and with a compartmentalized system to keep your gear organized, you'll have no trouble grabbing what you need quickly.
The exterior of the bag is made of waxed canvas and American Bison Leather, so it's a durable bag that'll hold up to tons of use and abuse.
Heck, it even has a waterproof zipper to protect the camera compartment from the elements.
You can even expand the capabilities of the bag by adding Sightseer Pouches to the exterior to carry extra lenses or even your phone.
And with an integrated slider on the shoulder straps, you'll have rapid access to your camera for split-second shots.
In other words, if you've got a day of photo-taking planned, there's really no better bag to carry your gear than the Holdfast Sightseer Backpack.
Expand Your Photo-Taking Abilities
Why go out and shoot still photos when you can also shoot long exposures, real-time video, and time lapse video, all with the addition of just one little gadget?
That gadget is Pulse, and it's made by Alpine Labs.
This little 60x40mm device weighs just 1.5 ounces and attaches to your camera via the hot-shoe mount.
But don't let its small stature fool you. This is one powerful photography tool.
Set up your camera on a tripod and use Pulse to trigger the shutter for portraits of friends, family, or yourself.
Use the accompanying smartphone app to slow the shutter down to get incredible long exposures of your favorite landscape.
If you're into video, you can use Pulse for that too, and create dynamic real-time video sequences to wow your friends on YouTube.
But perhaps Pulse's best asset is that you can use it to create gorgeous time lapse videos right from your phone.
Not only does the Pulse app allow you to change settings like aperture and shutter speed, but you can also determine the interval between shots and the duration of the shoot.
With Bluetooth, you can operate pulse from up to 100 feet away, too, though, once the settings are fixed, you don't even need to stick around! Pulse will do its thing on its own.
From dawn til dusk (and well after), Pulse helps you take better photos, videos, and time lapses.
In other words, this thing is one heck of a way to make the most out of a day of shooting photos!
Savor the Moment
Whether you're a pro taking a day off to have some fun with your camera or an amateur just trying to get away from the stress of work, a day of shooting photos should be a day when you slow things down, take it easy, and savor the moments you capture over the course of the day.
As someone that's always on the go, this is really hard for me to do sometimes.
If you're like me, you find a place to take some photos, hammer out a few dozen shots, and then immediately head to the next place to get another round of shots.
But we all run around like crazy people during the work week, so what's the point of doing that on a day off?!
To savor the moment, take someone along with you for your day of photo-taking. Bring your wife. Let the kids tag along. Ask your dad to come with you.
Doing so will give you just enough distraction to take a slower pace for the day. You'll have good subjects for some portraits, too!
The point is that though a good bag can make the day a more comfortable one and a fun photography gadget can expand your photography capabilities, if you don't approach the day with the goal to relax and live in the moment, it'll just end up being another busy day in a string of busy days.
If you really want to make your day of photo-taking better, do your best to relax and enjoy it with someone!
