My Favorite Bag: Tamrac Aria 6 for Photographing Events

A few months ago when I was visiting my local camera shop, I came across this bag in person.  I originally saw this bag advertised on Amazon and then immediately went over to Tamrac's website to check out the specifications.  The bag is new this year and comes in two versions:  Aria 3 and Aria 6.  The Aria 3 bag is so adorable, but I knew it would be too small for all the camera equipment I wanted to carry with me (just in case).  I was on the fence with the Aria 6 bag.  I wasn't too sure that it would be huge and bulky for me to carry around.  

At my local camera shop, they carried both models plus the three colors:  black, brown and moss.  All three colors were beautiful!  I had a hard time choosing the color, but naturally opted to get the safe color...black.  I think my second choice would be brown.  I know, I shouldn't choose the camera bag color based on my wardrobe!  If I didn't play it safe, my first choice would have been moss green.  It was that pretty!

Back to my bag choice.  The Aria 3 is quite small and would fit a D40 or a D5000 camera with a short lens without any problems.  It's an adorable sized bag.  Very fashionable.  I chose the Aria 6 for its size and capability to hold all the camera equipment I would need to carry with me.  

Aria 6: Front

The bag is made of lightweight water-resistant nylon fabric.  Yes, the bag is amazingly light.  I thought I would wear this bag as a messenger bag, across the body.  I haven't had the need to.  It works perfectly as a shoulder bag.  That's how comfortable it sits on my shoulder.

The back of the bag with pocket

One of the key selling points for me was the side pockets.  It can hold my iPhone.  I can slip it in the pocket with any problems.  Now, how many camera bags do you know that have small phone pockets that can hold an iPhone-size smartphone?

Side view

The interior is very roomy and holds all the camera gear I want to take with me:  D7000 with my 18-200 attached, SB-700 speed light, an additional lens (one of my primes), a small lens blower, extra batteries, extra media cards, my keys, my wallet, my pens and notepad for taking notes, and of course my iPhone.

The removeable padded interior dividers flexes quite a bit.  It hasn't been an issue with me.  I just wanted to point it out as other bags come with a firmer padded dividers.

Inside the bag with my D7000

Inside, there's a back padded pocket for an iPad.  With all the camera equipment I have to carry, adding an iPad does weigh the bag down a bit.  Still, it's a handy addition in case I need to use it.

Interior:  additional pockets for storage

Under the front flap is a pleated zippered pocket.

Under the front flap:  another pocket for storage

The Aria 6 bag is very stylish, lightweight, and very functional.  Isn't it cute?

The adjustable strap with movable padding

While I use my Aria 6 bag for taking pictures of local events, I still have my favorite camera backpack,  the Tamrac Evolution 6 that I use for long distance travel.




Just like purses and wallets, a girl can't have too many camera bags.  Yes, I'm a Tamrac gal at heart!

Photo Challenge #2 From Last Week

Last week on FaceBook, I published another photo challenge.  The theme was...My Five Senses (smell, touch, taste, hearing and sight).  Here's the results of my photo challenge from last week:

Smell:  fragrant candles for relaxing

It was a challenging theme for everyone and I had little time to get something together (other than the candles above).  I decided to go through my pictures from VBS (+1000 pictures) and see what I could come up with.  I decided to a do a collage that captured the remaining senses:

Touch:  Ted the bear used at VBS

Taste:  Locust treats and the taste test from VBS.  Early b-day cake from work.  It was chocolate cake and it was yummy!

Hearing:  Can you hear the kids at VBS?

Sight:  Beautiful people at VBS and borrowing someone else's glasses

After July's photo challenge is over, I hope to start another one for the month of August and incorporate some photography techniques to keep the challenge more interesting.

Are you interested in joining me?

Happy Birthday to Me!

I'm celebrating the big 5*0 today.  I've been celebrating since the beginning of July and will continue to the end of this month.  Today, I spent time at a fabric shop looking for additional back drops for my simple studio.  I also went to my local camera shop and bought an inexpensive 50mm f/1.8 lens (equates to 75mm in DX format).  A 50mm lens for my 50th!  Neat huh?

Birthday flowers from my brother

I have so much that I want to write and post for my blog and I'm so behind in getting photos together for several people.  Somehow they will get done.  For now, I'm celebrating!

My Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G Lens...Results

When I attach this 85mm lens to my D7k, it becomes a 128mm lens.  Basically, it's an FX lens on a DX camera.  I've had to physically take two steps back to get my subject framed correctly in my viewfinder.

This lens does a beautiful job with portraits and general photography.  I've found that I like setting the aperture to f/4 and the results are clear, sharp photos with beautiful bokeh.

July is typically a busy photog month for me.  This week we're having a VBS event at our church.

Initially, it was very hard for me to leave my wide-zoom (18-200mm) lens in my bag and just use a prime lens.  My instinct told me I don't want to miss a shot and you know it's easier to zoom in and out than it is to walk back a couple of steps.  I made do and in a short time, I felt at ease with my prime lens.

I noticed, since there is some distance between my subject(s) and my camera, the kids and adults felt more comfortable and relaxed when I took their picture.  

Taking pictures at this event has allowed me the chance to try out my new flash, new lenses and trying out different features of my D7k.  In the next few weeks, I'll share my findings.  

A Wedding on Friday

I had a chance to take some wedding photos for a dear friend from my church.  I didn't know I would be the primary photographer until the morning of.  I went into work for a few hours and in the back of my mind I was thinking about which lens to use, which flash to bring and do I bring two DSLRs.

I ended up using my Nikon D7000, 18-200mm lens, 40mm micro lens, and my new SB-700 speed light.

Here are some shots using my 40mm micro lens and no flash:

In the Sanctuary with the lights turned up

I was told that the bride didn't like her picture taken.  I was astonished to hear this, but then decided to ignore the comment and do what I do naturally.  Take pictures.  As I was talking to the bride, I noticed she was very at ease with me.  I just picked up my camera and started taking pictures.  As you can see, she didn't seem to mind:

In my travels around the church I caught a quick photo of the rings:

The groom and his attendants were in the Fellowship Hall with other family members and friends.  I casually took their pictures and they decided to ham it up with me:

A photog moment with the children in the wedding party:

The children left their baskets and a Bible on a table and went off the run and play.  I enjoy taking random pictures:

I thought I would take advantage of the Sanctuary lighting and snap this quick picture of the pianist:

The bride was patiently waiting for her moment.  She was so calm and joked with us even when we encountered a snafu:

This picture was taken in a dark hallway.  The light in the background is from a large window.  I increased the exposure (+1.0) to capture the expressions on their faces and the details of her gown.  It came out better than I expected:

Getting ready for the entrance:

In the following photos I ended up attaching my SB-700 and turning on my speed light.  The sanctuary was quite dark with limited lighting in the front platform.

I changed out my lens and went with the 18-200mm and no flash for this shot:

I turned on my flash to capture the last few shots:

I kept snapping away and was able to get this shot as the newly married couple drove off to their reception:

I enjoy taking pictures of weddings.  I find that candids are better than taking formals.  Less stress and everyone (including me) is more relaxed.  That's why you'll see a folded table in the background.  Sometimes, it doesn't help to make people move to get a photo.  Why make them feel uncomfortable?

I always keep a smile on my face as I'm taking pictures.  When I smile, my subject smiles.  A beautiful picture is taken.

Note:  I had a few episodes of hot flashing (that would be me...not my speed light).  I had a few moments where I had to walk away and cool down.  Yes, this would be the second wedding where I've had to deal with this.  It's all about remaining calm and capturing as many beautiful images as you can.

Running a Photo Challenge

I'm running a weekly photo challenge on FaceBook for the month of July.  This week's challenge:  what is your favorite shoes?  So naturally, my favorite shoes are flip flops.  Here's an example photo I submitted to help my friends think outside of the box:

Flip flops and sea shells

Here's what I submitted for my photo challenge:

Backdrop/Background Support System

Since I tend to be a DIYer with my hobbies, I thought about building my own background/backdrop support system for portrait photography.  After much research, I decided against it.  I'm not handy with electric tools and overall it would have been a lot of work.

My brother sent me a link to Cowboy Studios.  I looked around and saw some pretty good support systems.  I knew the main bars that holds the fabric had to be strong.  I've read where other manufacturer's mid section would sag under the weight of the muslin or paper.  I decided on their 10 foot Premium Heavy Duty System (901).  I searched my favorite site and was able to apply my rewards points.  Another great deal.

Way before purchasing this support system, I had already purchased the fabric.  I was at my local G-Street Fabric store and rummaging through their clearance tables when I found this wonderful fabric:

The fabric is not close to being white, but for my use it will do for now.


Here's the Cowboy Premium Heavy Duty (901) Support System:

Here's where the top bar sits on top of one of the adjustable stands:

The two top bars connected (slide one bar into the other and turn 90 degrees):

The logo on one of the stand's leg:

One of the sturdy stand legs:

The storage bag.  The two outer pockets hold the two stands and the inner holds the 4 support bars:  

The bag zipped up and ready to go:

My temporary studio setup with fabric draped over the bar (only have two support bars put together):

For the first few sample pictures I've taken with a fairly wide open aperture, the creases and wrinkles from the fabric don't show.  I will have to invest in a portable steamer later.

I went with a portable system as I do not have the space to setup a permanent studio.  Setup of this portable background system doesn't take too long to install or take down.  Basically, I setup and open the two stands and adjust for height.  I take two, three or all four bars and connect them.  I move my stands apart to fit the length of two, three, or four bar widths.  I lift the bar and place it on top of the stands.  I place and screw down the wing nuts on the pole/stand.  That's it!