Think Tank Photo Rotation 360 Photography Backpack.

Here is my review of my new backpack. The Think Tank Photo Rotation 360 Photography Backpack.Maybe doesn't look like anything now...just wait. Its a nicely styled slim bag that fits the airplane requirements for carry on size.
Here is a side view. You can see its slightly compartmentalized.

If you look up close you can see a strap and buckle looped around a handle.
The handle is connected to the bottom part which is detachable from the backpack.

This allows the bottom part to become a waist pack that slides around to the front of your body.

To release the waist pack follow these steps.


Undo the buckle on both sides of the pack.

Next pull the little strap with the unlock symbol and it releases the waist pack from the main pack.

The lock is actually some hook n loop (Velcro) fasteners. Here it is shown in the unlock position the white pieces are plastic panels that are like a gate...here the velcro is behind.
Below the position 'locked' in that the velcro is visible.

Here is where it connects inside the main pack. Works quite well.

Another feature is the sliding rail with the option for extra bags to be locked or movable.

Thgis little pouch can hold my Canon 50mm f1.8 lens.

The main part of the waist pack is really spacious.


You can see it fits 2 lenses and my camera body with lens attached. On the left i have the Canon 10-22 wide angle lens, and on the right my Canon 70-300 IS USM lens. These are not small lenses so to fit both and the body is very convenient.



Below you can see a small blue tab.
If you pull it ...

...you get a rain cover!!

Infact you get a rain cover for the whole backpack and the waist pack individually.
Below the handle is a place for a name card.

Just infront (below) this is a zipper.
This buckle is for the top of your tripod, so that when its attached to the backpack its very stable and wont fall.

The bottom of the tripod will slide into this cup.
There is also a strap in the middle as well if needed.

The main compartment is a nice size and although its empty it comes with a bunch of dividers for and infinite combination of configurations. for cameras lenses or anything else you want to bring.

The front straps have compartmens for cell phones, PDA's, gps equiptment what ever you need to bring with.

As well on the front straps included are two hooks for holding/attaching the camera to the pack to take the weight off your neck.

As well the camera strap that you would normally use to hang the camera around your neck doubles as a strap to hold bigger lenses down when your walking so they dont stick out in front and/or swing around.

None the less there are extra straps to sling more equipment bags underneath, some are made to attach either side, and its just a great system to have.

The quality is second to none with very strong main material, strong big zippers, and tough buckles.

It really is a photographers dream come true.

Getting better. The arm is still in a cast but just a plastic 1/2 cast. I can take it off easily. I can use it more and more everyday. Ex. Sunday i rode my scooter for the first time since i broke my arm. I couldn't grab the grips with both hands, Tuesday i could, Wednesday i could use the brake a bit with that arm.

Its kinda uncomfortable cuz the cast doesn't let me extend my arm, but then again it helps keep my elbow from popping out of place.

Otherwise i am still gearing up for the trip to Thailand. I decided not to do Cambodia, as its a tough journey and the itinerary would mostly be hiking and crawling over the ruins. Sounds cool, but not as a one armed bandit...one slip and I'm in big trouble. So I'm hoping that the beaches will be easier to navigate.

work has been relly understanding...more than i expected. That was nice. My students sympathies make up for not being around family in this time... they really have genuine concern, and will help me out with anything if i need.

Take care all, and feel free to drop me a line.

Today is a great day. Its cloudy, cool, misting outside, nothing is on TV, my arm is aching and my stomach is a little upset from the antibiotics. So why a great day?

If you know anyone 'into' photography you gotta tell em about this blog, or wesite. What follows is super cool.

Many companies make photography bags, Tamarac, LowePro, Crumpler, etc. But the smartest, most logical, think of everything company Ive ever heard of is ThinkTankPhoto.

This is a company I can respect.

After a little hinting and verbal going-on-too-long-ness, I was able to convince my wife to get me the PERFECT backpack for traveling for the day or the week with my photo equipment. Its the Rotation 360

This may seems stupid and a lot of hype about a back pack, but its really cool!!

There is so much about it thats cool. Like the bottom part slides around to be ready for a shot without taking everything off etc. Thats its claim to fame i guess. But every piece has high quality zippers, rain gear, and quality material on the outside.

It has perfectly placed pockets, personal panels providing portable personalizeable protection this photographer pronounced this particularization prefaced primarily with PERFECT!!

spit that out 3 times.

Really though, i took all afternoon getting acquainted with its features. I can find fault. Even the fact that I'm a big guy this pack still fits.

The products can not be described as cheap, but could be extremely good value for the money.

Check them out ThinkTankPhoto

Another day in the green room done. This post i wont complain. no more IV no more tubes in my arm...just a splint and tensors. minimal pain, maximum boredom.

Could have been much worse. my roommate has some bigger issues. his wife is with him almost 24/7. he has numerous staples in 4 places in his head. they have 2 kids, Nicole and I gave them candy canes on Christmas. everyone has been big smiles ever since.

Doc Young said i can go home on Friday...ugg 2 more days...but like i said it could have been worse.

A funny thing happenned yesterday, a little girl maybe 4 and her dad came out of the elevator as i was nearby...the little girl looked at me with a puzzled look and asked "Santa Claus?"

what?? when did i start to look like santa claus...geez. maybe my red outfit and fuzzy slippers ave me away.

I have to say Nicole has been awesome with everything...like i said i have to say that.....just kidding...coincidentally she got me the perfect xmas gift an ASUS eee PC 8 GB.

Its basically a tiny laptop, 1 gb ram, 8gb HD, 7" screen, but fully functional.
its got a webcam,wifi, preloaded with open office, and skype and ton of other programs. And too boot its quite a bit cheaper than a reg laptop....so cool, and so useable...especially now.

well so long from the one armed santa claus.

part 2 ...DIY hospital

here is where my disappointment with the health care system comes in. imagine this, you can barely walk (sprained ankle) but you got to go the bathroom...but of course this arcane system can not provide you with bathroom tissue. wireless internet, and hours of surgery but not toilet paper.

the next day and i am thinking they must have me on a restricted diet....no i missed a couple meals because...they dont provide food!!! you change your own sheets, and pillow cases, and all injury dressings except for the surgery one. you also must go to the second floor to buy all your supplies as well including any tape you may need to hold the gauze to the wound.

medicine is left beside you in a sealed bag, which is hard to fight into with one arm broken and the opposite thumb sprained. and no water, thats down the hall turn right, go down that hall to the nurses station you can find a little fountain on the left. oh of course...sorry to bother you.

bring your own soap...or you will spread infections and will need to stay here for a much longer time.

now im gonna nit pick....the walls are stained and dirty from the many people before me. The bathroom walls are dirty with who knows what, there is mold growing on something in the corner beside my bed.

Language is an issue, even though one head nurse proudly told me they are becoming part of some international group. She said their english ability is very low....um ya i noticed, when i asked about toilet tissue and 2 nurses ran away giggling, and one was left to say...um....you ....family...bring.

thats all for know.

So here i am merry Christmas. I had a bit of an accident....well here is the full story.

I went to our great Christmas party from work. After the awesome meal i went home to my wife who was sick. i brought her some dinner, and since she was going to bed soon, i decided to go back out. I called a cab and met up with some of the other guys from work.

We stayed out till about midnight and the left...everyone was going home except one guy he asked if anyone wanted to go for coffee. I said sure and he drove ahead, i said id walk. so far so good.
I decided to jog and was doing well i went one block then 2 and decided to cut through a new park. well it was quite dark but i could easily see the other side and i could tell that there was no one else in the park.
I truck through and before i know it there is no more sidewalk under my foot, my right foot hits the concrete and twists. I fall with my full weight landing on my arm somehow.

im stunned, dazed, and in pain. i wiggle my feet...yup sore ankle but it moves, arm 1 ok arm 2......no oak.

so i phone the guy im meeting and told him. i picked myself up and hobbled to the street..he got a cab and i went to the hospital. i think cabs are safer, faster, and more caring than ambulances here.

so in the end my injuries, sprained right thumb, sprained right ankle, cut and deep scrapes on left knee, AND dislocated elbow with 5 breaks.

Now post surgery, with plates n screws in arm and elbow I'm slowly regaining strength.

next episode....this damn DIY hospital. you wont believe what isnt included.

Just FYI, Im having problems with the program to build my website, hence the lack of updates. I want to re create one with Adobe Dreamweaver, so if anyone has any experience let me know. I need some help with a few issues.

Otherwise all is well and here is a kwik pic for you.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!!!

Hmmm busy season coming up. Christmas, then New Years eve n day, then Nico's Birthday, then Chinese New year. All in a month and a half.

I was planning a trip to Cambodia, but tickets became impossible. then possible and now no problem but prices came out and I can fly to Canada for less money...stupid airlines.

But i did get a good offer on a flight to Bangkok. So Im thinking about Thailand now....hmmm sounds good. I didnt want to go with out Nico, but its either that or stay in Taiwan. And to stay in Taiwan by myself sounds lonely. Traveling sounds much better.

Just thought spew that useless info out there...Cambodia 90% out, and Thailand 90% in.

Well its been a while since Ive posted. Well with traveling jet lag, work, and my computer being down, I havent had that much of a chance.

Well Ive started facebook group, energy photo art, and nicole did one too about Randy and Nicole in Taiwan.

Here is a picture i took Halloween night in S'toon.

lemme know what you think.

Enjoy!

Well a month later and a lot has happened. I am now on my way back to Taiwan. Im in YVR and waiting for my plane. My parents anniversary was good, and i was able too see a lot of people, aunts uncles, family friends, a lot of people I haven't seen in a long time.

My picture taking was a mixed experience. Indoors with 1/2 lights was challenging for my parents anniv. But I di get s bunch of other Canada pictures, but i lost them all due too computer issue. Then i got a few of them back. in due time you will see.

More later.

I made a couple of new pics today.

The first one is called Fire on Ice.


The second is simply called... Tea, because thats whats inside. A high quality tea we picked up on one of our travels in Macau, China.
Yeah thats my Chinese handwriting, not that pretty but I really think its more recognizable than my English handwriting. The character is 'cha' or tea in English.

Let me know what you think?

Fire in the Sky

Macau, China Trip

Back from Macau.

We went to Macau(Macao), China which is right beside Hong Kong. Macau was owned by the Portuguese, until just before Hong Kong was given back to China.

So it has a huge Portuguese influence on everything. The street signs and everything is in Cantonese, and Portuguese, with English being 3rd. Except that most tourist places speak English, many others do not. Interesting.

The first thing we experienced was an international fireworks competition.

And tonight was Australia and Taiwan. (Go Taiwan!!) And did they ever.

It was amazing, the best Ive ever seen.

here is a few examples of the 1/2 hour show.

Check out the rest on http://www.dealboyrandy.com/Macau.html





Check out the rest on http://www.dealboyrandy.com/Macau.html

My Video from the fashion show

Part 2 of a Great week.

An odd turn of a typhoon on the right day at the right time, lead to a blessing in disguise.

5 months ago I had been given a formal VIP invitation to go to high end Lingerie Fashion Show as a Photographer.

As it turned out one of my students is a fashion designer for Mode Marie. Its a popular upscale womens lingerie brand. Its popular especially in Taiwan, Japan, and a couple other places which escape me just now.

Since my foray into photography, Ive wanted to touch on as many aspects in a professional setting as I could.

So I was cautiously optimistic until I made a mistake and booked off the wrong day. And the show was today which was supposed to be a busy day for me, not a good day to take off.

So out of nowhere a typhoon blows in to town just grazing the top corner of the island. The previous one was big n scary and no day off...a direct hit. This one comes and the gov't says stay home and hide, batten down the hatches, blah blah etc etc.

So day off...and then I get a call early in the morning saying the fashion show, is today and is still on...plus i have the day off....I look outside and its raining but not that big of gusts. So I'm in.

I was thinking and regretting not being able to go for a couple of weeks now... and by a whole lot of unexplainable long shots its fall into place.

Took the train in and was VIPed in, as was Nicole I might add, she was lucky enough to get in as well. The designer just said these are my special guests, and everyone had a fire lit under their bums, offering drinks and front row center seats etc....WOW

I went to where the other photographers and TV people were setting up and got a seat just off center but right in front. No prob, happy as a clam.

The show starts and I'm as nervous as it gets. I don't know why, probably the special treatment, plus I know I'm an amateur surrounded by professionals. I did feel a little embarrassed with my camera. Its not bad but I was surrounded by thousands of dollars of equipment...per person. Each guy had the Pro stuff. I felt like a six year old at a wedding with a Polaroid.
No one said much to me, and that was fine.

The lights went down and I started to click away.

( In the end....400 pictures in 20 minutes)

Here is a glimpse:

Part 1 of a great week

Part 1 of a great week

So life is full of ups and downs. I was on a bit of a down for a coupe weeks, now the ride is going up.

Last week I went on a spur of the moment scooter trip by myself. I saw a picture on the back of a tourist map for a mountain and temple I had never heard of. I decided I wanted to get that same picture.

I took off at 2 pm for a place called Lion Head Mountain. This is fine and all, but the road signs are not usually in English. I knew where abouts i should be heading, so off I went.

I drove for about an hour and a half and came to an area close to where i should be, and i had to turn off a main road and onto a small mountain road. I guessed on which road i should take. I drove until i seen an English sign saying "ShihTouShan". Well I know Tou is head and Shan is Mountain. So put 2 and 3 together, and we have a maybe. Half an hour later my ass is now part of the seat, and i am no longer riding but am 'one with the scooter'.
I got tired and almost gave up on this road when i said Im going to try this smaller road that said something about a temple. I couldn't read it but it looked like a temple-ish kinda sign. Sure enough after 10 minutes I find what I was looking for.

I had to hike up the small mountain, to the temple complex.

This was my reward.

Complementary and Pure Harmonies

A hand up to the bright sky, to block evening ball of fire.

Staring at the ruby glistening, lowering hand with the bush.

Lemony butterflies flutter around scattered Saskatoon Berries.

The sun sets with shades in gradients from silver to midnight

So we've dealt with a big typhoon. Not too much happened here in Taoyuan as usual, which is good. I had the day scheduled off anyways one of the supposed perks of working a crazy summer. But I got sick for the event just to add insult to injury. This weekend sucked so far. awake for no more than a few hours at a time before i as exhausted and had to have a nap. In fact I'm off to have one now....night night.

I received a comment on one website that i had shown a couple pictures on. And it made me quite angry. The comment was from an obvious amateur.

The comment was nice pictures but there all fake.

Now to be fair this wasn't only directed at me but a lot of people but he used one of my pictures as an example. Actually it was the Taoyuan Sunset that Ive previously added here....It is 2 posts down take a look before reading on.

He said they were fake because they are all photoshopped. I was became defensive because although I do use Photoshop on every one of my photos, I most often only use it for cropping or adding a border, watermark, or my logo. Rarely for anything that would dramatically change the essence of the picture.

Few pictures, like the one I show in the post below are radically altered. However this was just for fun, I was trying to create a convincing photo from nothing, an otherwise 'throw-away' file. In no way have I said this is how it really was.....but IF it were to be sold to the couple....which one would they most likely choose?


My question to all cynics is :

What is a photo.... to you?

I will argue its subjective all the way. There is no way for anyone to be able to tell that what the camera saved or what the film captured is 100% accurate in all respects to what was really there.

An infinite number of variables are available.

From camera view, available light that day, camera type, the multitude of lenses, filters, films, to the brand of machine and ink that prints the picture.

Every photo can be art, a snapshot in time, a point of interest, an expression of character, or a memory because for some reason the person behind the camera felt moved enough to push the shutter button.

As far as digital manipulation is concerned my view is unless its being used in false advertising, or meant to maliciously deceive someone, there is no harm being done.

I call my work PhotoArt.

Some are pure photos with NOTHING changed, and some have been altered.

Sometimes I brighten them up but this also happens automatically with any film you bring in to get processed. Its just that I can do it myself with patience, care and firsthand knowledge of how it really looked and not rely on some underpaid slack-jaw haplessly ruining everyones photos in "Under 1 Hour."

Everyone who has paid a photographer to take pictures of their wedding is in the same boat. Every wedding photographer uses photo editing software or has uses some sort of film processing and/or touching up the negatives or pictures directly.

Heck even a frame or the lighting on the wall can make a huge difference in how we perceive a picture.

If the Mona Lisa was in a 'Dollar-Store' frame sitting above a gas station urinal, it would have a whole different kinda smile.

Ive added a few new pictures on my website lately, plus i gave it slightly updated look on many pages to reflect the nature of the site and that is its about photography.

Ive been working on my photo retouching skills.

If you want a sample of my work compare these.

Information: I had a few wrong settings on my camera (the very blue hue), plus I was shooting it with a strong side wind and my biggest zoom set all the way out at 300mm and handheld. So the fact it is clear and in focus is about all I got right.

So i used this as a test of my retouching skills so far, plus my creative photoshop skills for the framing and plaque.


You can get a bigger version of the finished one here.



Start image:






Finished image:
Let me know what you think.

There is a couple of new pictures I took yesterday.

Enjoy.

So Im back from another Hong kong trip. Awesome. A real Mennonite shoppers paradise. Deals galore and people waiting to rip you off at every corner. Its true. Its all about shopper knowledge. You gotta figure out the bottom line of these people.

My tactic is to ask the price. If they say 100 dollars, hmm how about 25! They look at me and say 60! wow nice cut,so i say ok 30. they say 55, I say to high and start to walk away. If the price they buy for is 30 o higher, they leave me alone, if not they will run after and try to bargain some more. I wil go up maybe another 5 dollars, and be done. If they have left me alone I know i really was too low, so next time i'm willing to do the same thing but end up a little higher. Good thing there is always more than one shop with the same thing.

It feels a little stupid to offer a quarter of the price, but i usually buy for a third of the price, so it works out.

I bought a bunch of new ties for work adn ome nick nacks at the night markets. I bought a new camera lens, and tripod system at a camera store. Really gotta know which ones are good and which ones are not. Most that are well lit with neon lights are no good.

A few named Wing Shuing and Man Shuing (brothers) are the ceapest places around, but be ready for a lack of customer service. These guys want you in, your money, and you out ready for the next guy. The products are good and the prices are the best. But I require some customer service. so i researched 4 years of online comments about one store, Tin Cheung Camera Store in Tsim Tsa Shuei district. It turned out really good. I was a little it like a kid in a candy store, well it was candy to me and it was my birthday, so i had the right to be like that. They were supposed to open at 11 am s i was there at 10:55, and then at 11 they 1/2 opened they only let in deliveries and their lunch was delivered, and i am standing in the street trying to look patient but doing a horrible job. finally 1120 they open and let me in. And i rounded up my stuff. Then they usually dont negotiate, but my tripod was the display model, so they did, and i got a very good deal. The difference was worth the plane tickets to hong kong compare to Taiwan, and compared to canada it as even cheaper.

So we spent the rest of the day walking and shopping. It was super.

Hey all,

I added a few new pics on the www.dealboyrandy.com, and one that can be used as a wallpaper. Maybe I should put a freebie section and make some wallpapers in my spare time. Lemme know whatcha think.
Have a good one.