Sometimes I have a need for a certain device that will help in the way I’m shooting. Living in  a large city, to get the shots you want, you need to be camera ready.

I’m talking about camera in hand.

Yes, I’ve done the wrap around the hand camera strap maneuver. The Black Rapid is great for events, but don’t hang my gear behind me in NY. Nope, need it in my hands, ready.

As with any gear I use, research is the key, and the interwebs are my friend. But hands on is the decider.

Enter Cotton Carrier Wrist strap.

Comfortable, adjustable, comes with Arca Swiss plate, ability to add my Black Rapid strap, and only $20.

Winner , Winner, chicken dinner, as my friend Greg would say.

They make more than that, and at the recent PhotoPlus Expo, we got the full show.

The Camera Vest Looks awesome, and actually great for shooting in crowds. Probably a winner in the old Rockand Roll pit, as long as you carry some belted extras. Keeps you goodies close and available.

And the Wrist strap is on the Photoinduced Holiday Gift Guide 2013, coming soon.

It’s a good year.

I walked the lines. pushed , prodded, was explained to, attached, and did visual drive bys.

Something had to jump out as the item with purpose, use of tech, design, unique properties.

It was not till day 3 of PhotoPlus Expo did it jump out at me, and almost made my wallet jump out with it.

It’s the Rotolight.

Let’s go through some of the features of this LED light ,that actually are solutions to common lighting problems:

Continue Reading »

Have you backed much on Kickstarter?

I have.

Sometimes, it’s uber cool stuff that actually gets made, many times they are late, but as long as they deliver.

These folks at TriggerTrap came through. Big time. And they continued to develop till they had an even more affordable camera controller, using , yes, an APP

.

well, after the huge success of the original TriggerTrap, they came up with another camera controller:

REDSNAP!

a 3 part system that would make even Dr. Harold Edgerton jealous:

Coming in May, you should get in on the Kickstarter backing now for the best price.

Freeze that action like never before.

Oh, and the TriggerTrap dongle at only $30. makes for a fine gift.

We found our best of show product and will be posting details shortly.
But it was time for a break to look at the people who use the gear to the best advantage.

For the 11th year, the Lucie awards, feted the best in the world in the world of photography. The masters and the undiscovered have been attending this event to celebrate the worlds best in Art, Advertising, Publishing, and to welcome the new discoveries and start them on their path.
Awards Ceremony brings together Honorees, Media, Industry Presenters and Host, Dominick Pupa
New York, NY, (October 27, 2013) – New York hosted the 11th Annual Lucie Awards in a gala black-tie ceremony and awards program held at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall. The Lucies – the world’s most esteemed photography awards ceremony honoring the greatest achievements in the field, presented awards ranging from Achievement in Fine Art and Documentary to Achievements in support categories from fashion to advertising. “The movie industry has its Oscars and the photography community has its Lucies,” remarked 2003 honoree Douglas Kirkland,
“The community gathers to celebrate photography – the world in which we work and the accomplishments we applaud. We are thrilled to have reached this 11 year milestone,” says Lucies founder Hossein Farmani. “And once again, we honor those photographers who are among the best in their respective fields. It is very special to be at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall upon our return to New York.”

The 2013 honorees and presenters were:
Lisa Kristine, Humanitarian Award presented by Pat Mitchell, President and CEO of the Paley Center for Media, NY and former President and CEO of PBS.
Arno Rafael Minkkinen, Achievement in Fine Art presented by Sally Mann, award winning photographer and Scott Landis, Broadway producer, former CAA agent, documentary photographer and ICP teacher.
Victor Skrebneski, Achievement in Fashion presented by Carmen Dell’Orefice, fashion model and actress.
Benedikt Taschen, Visionary Award presented by Ralph Gibson, Lucie Award Honoree (2007)

John H. White, Achievement in Photojournalism presented by Hal Buell, former director of The Associated Press, photo editor

Li Zhensheng, Achievement in Documentary presented by Chen Danqing internationally recognized painter and art critic.

Continue Reading »

With Instax cameras supplied by Fuji the party got started!

Yep, 30th Anniversary of PhotoPlus Expo took a new inclusive tact this year: No extra fee, no traveling, simple vittles but lots and lots of schmoozing. The friends you hadn’t seen, and some yo hadn’t spent enough time with, were at the large hall at the top of the Javits center

one more day to go, though.

Lots of seminars, a keynote by Rick Smolan, he of the “Day in the Life of…..” series, gear to touch, finding the things you missed the first time, all ready for you on Saturday.

Continue Reading »