First Client Plus Update on My Tenba Bag and BlackRapid Strap

A while back, I wrote about two great gadgets:

• the Tenba Messenger Photo/Laptop Bag and
• the BlackRapid RS-5 camera strap

And they couldn't have come at a more perfect time. You see, I was very fortunate to have my first client. The wife's friend finished her Doctorate Degree and she commissioned me to take some pictures of this momentous event in her life. We discussed the contract several days prior and, after we agreed on what was supposed to happen, the deal was set.

Our friend emailed her friends and colleagues to meet with us in several locations inside Princeton University with the corresponding time for each location. Suffice to say that it was a hectic schedule.

The wife acted as my assistant. She brought a light tripod for my speedlite and a reflector. She also distributed my business cards and kept as time keeper for the different groups. The wife did a splendid job as a photographer's assistant!

Our day started from 10:20am and ended at 3:40pm with about an hour break within those times. As I have stated in my previous Tenba blog entry, I have 13 lbs. worth of camera gear inside the bag. But the things was, I didn't even feel the weight the whole time! The messenger bag felt so comfortable that I thought I made the correct decision of using the messenger bag instead of my backpack. The easy access at the top was a very big plus and I was able to access all my gear without having the need to put the bag down on the ground. The Tenba bag is really a great bag!

First Client Credit to the wife for taking this picture of me in action.

Now, for the camera itself, I had to rely on the BlackRapid RS-5 - another heaven-sent. With the strap, both my hands were free and I was able to direct and position my subjects with ease. I saw a lot of people using a hand strap, and I admit I used one before, but the convenience of being able to let go of the camera when my fingers get tired from holding a heavy DSLR, and with confidence that the camera won't get tumbling down the ground, was a very big plus. There's nothing like being able to let the camera just hang on my side. And, as I've mentioned, we shot on different locations on campus. The RS-5 enabled me to walk around with ease with the camera hanging by my side. And the back of my neck wasn't strained because the RS-5 acted as if it's just another messenger bag strap. The only complaint I got from the back of my neck was the sunburn that it suffered. :)

Enjoying the time with my client Credit the wife again for taking this picture.

These two things combined, the Tenba Messenger and the BlackRapid RS-5, is perhaps one of the best  combinations in the history of mankind.

My original posts can be found here and here.