3 Legged Thing LTD have developed a stunning array of Premium Quality Carbon Fiber Tripods, precision engineered to the highest standards. Their new Rock Legend Range has three choices of Carbon Fiber Tripod Systems for you to choose from, as well as Two Alloy Tripods and their 5 section Diamond Weave Monopod, Bob.

The New Rock Legend Range of Tripods, Monopods and Multipods were inspired by the music of guitar legends from England and the United States. Each product was named for the artist that was playing in our design room when the concept was first put to paper.

Download a PDF advert here

and the eddie version here..

Official Release:

Date 16^th December 2010

They Came From Stagsden….

Like creatures of the night the 3 Legged Thing’s descended upon Earth on 1.1.11. Not to be feared, however, they have come in peace bringing a fresh approach, innovative technology and products that are built to last.

3 Legged Thing have developed a stunning new ‘Rock Legend Range’, inspired by the music of guitar legends from England and the United States. With a selection of lightweight Carbon Fiber and Magnesium Alloy tripod systems and monopods, there are also ballheads and accessories available, all engineered to the highest standards.

Introducing the first in the Carbon Fiber tripod range, X1 Brian (as in Brian May – from Queen). This Multipod incorporates the concept of a triple section central column, the part that could make this the most significant advancement in tripod technology in recent history. It’s also detachable and removable. As with all the Carbon Fiber and Alloy Multipods X2 Eddie (as in Eddie Van Halen);  X1a Adrian (Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden) and X2a Kirk (Kirk Hammett of Metallica), are all complete with a built in easily detachable monopod or if it’s a monopod alone that you’re after, the 1 Legged Thing Bob (Dylan) will be happy to assist. For top-flight professional tripods, look no further than  X3 Jimmy (as in Jimmy Page – Led Zeppelin) – a Diamond Weave Carbon Fiber tripod built for the most rigorous conditions.

With a folded height of 40 cm, Brian is the smallest of the range, and yet extends to over 1.9m! Eddie is the great all round tripod, light enough to carry around at just 1.3 kg and the sturdiest has to be Jimmy with a weight capacity of 15kg for heavier equipment, yet still lightweight at 1.6 kg. Adrian is the smallest of the Alloy tripod systems and Kirk is the sturdiest with a weight capacity of 12kg. Bob, the carbon fiber monopod will hold a whopping 14kg.

All the tripods are available to purchase online at www.3leggedthing.com from £109 or as kits with a ballhead of choice. The ballheads are available in two sizes and five exciting metallic colours, so whether it’s Stagsden Blue or Cosmic Rain, there’s a colour to suit all. Individually they are priced from £59.99. All tripod systems come with a carry case and carry strap for portability.

Every product in our catalogue comes with a 5 year warranty, and free servicing and repair out of warranty, for life. (replacement parts are available at cost to original owners who register their products on the website. Labour charges for servicing and repair are free also to those customers.)

For further information and to keep up with the latest on 3 Legged Thing visit www.3leggedthing.com or call 0844 272 7777. You can even join our facebook group www.facebook.com/my3leggedthing or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/3leggedthing. Check out the selection of video’s on You Tube www.youtube.com/user/3leggedthing

 

I am lucky enough to have recently upgraded to a Canon 7D, a beautiful but somewhat heavy DSLR. Slinging this body with a 28-135mm IS lens on the stock Canon strap was not only uncomfortable whilst walking any distance, but very annoying as it kept slipping off my shoulder.

Ok I could sling the strap across my body but then it became cumbersome when shooting. I just couldn’t pull the camera up easily enough to get the shots I needed. In fact it still wasn’t comfortable when walking any distance as it still kept moving around, and the lack of padding meant that it still dug in.

Cue ‘Blackrapid’. This innovative company owes it’s success not only to an amazing product line, but in no small part to it’s marketing, particularly it’s social networking program. It is indeed refreshing to find a company that follows it’s ethos through it’s marketing, actively engaging with it’s customers and potential customers.

This engagement is completely borne out in it’s products, really developed by photographers for photographers.

BlackRapid RS-7

With all the above in mind I have been testing the BlackRapid RS-7 strap with the Brad Mod attached.

From the BlackRapid site:

The RS-7 is specially designed to work with BlackRapid’s MODS system. It features attachment points so you can customize your strap with your choice of storage and other features. It’s constructed of ballistic nylon for extreme durability. With the RS-7, ergonomics are key. It’s designed and shaped to fit perfectly around your shoulder. The weight of your camera is evenly distributed for the ultimate in comfort. Built for speed, for when timing is everything.

I have actually come to think of the strap as more of a carry system, not quite a bag but much more than a strap.

You can adjust it so that when you are not using your camera, on a photowalk or on location, it sits very comfortably at the base of your back. I actually started using it in the studio for noon tripod product shots, it keeps the camera ready to hand but nicely tucked out of the way.

Release the ‘bumper’ buckle and you can very quickly and easily bring the camera to eye level to take the shot. The beauty of the strap is that the camera slides freely on the strap whilst the strap itself remains snuggly in place.

I have also added the ‘Brad Mod’ to my strap. This is an easily affixed smaller strap that connects the front of the strap to the back under your arm holding the main strap even more securely in place.

In Conclusion

Plus Points:

This is not just another run-of-the-mill camera strap, it is indeed a carry system.

It is so comfortable that you could nearly forget you had a camera strapped to you.

The strap gives quick free and easy access to your camera when you need to take the shot.

Very well engineered quality manufacturing.

Negatives:

Fitting instructions could be more in-depth. I’m not on my own in having to pay a visit to the videos on Blackrapid’s website to make sure I was fitting the strap correctly.

Having said that, the videos were well presented and extremely instructional.

Blownpixel says buy it you won’t  regret it..

 

Greg has been a photographer for 8 years and relocated to Tarrant Hinton from Southampton in 2008. He lives with wife Maddy, and their two children Violet and Joseph. As a wedding photographer Greg has photographed weddings across the UK and has even travelled to shoot a wedding in France. The TP Photography style is modern reportage with a mix of both romantic wedding images which focus on natural interaction together and traditional shots.

The Photography Lighting workshop on Sunday September 26 will take place in Tarrant Monkton Village Hall. The course is £50.00 and is suitable for complete beginners as well as those with a little more experience. All equipment will be supplied and there will be the option to review shots taken.

The course will include information on; equipment basics, using a light meter and taking readings, hot to choose the correct power / aperture and why, and more information on light modifers, studio lights and flash guns.

The Wedding Photography workshop is on Sunday 3rd October and will also take place in Tarrant Monkton Village Hall. The course costs £65.00 and again is suitable for beginners or more experienced photographers. Information and topics covered will include; equipment, breaking down the day, how to shoot the wedding, preparation, “before, during and after” the wedding, creating great bride and groom portraits and more…

For more information or to sign up contact Greg on 07834 490393 or email greg@thurtlepower.com or to have a look at some of the stunning images taken by TP Photography visit http://thurtlepower.com/.

 

This will hopefully be an interesting experiment and throw up some intriguing comparisons of style and equipment.

WHERE ARE YOU FROM AND HOW DID YOU GET IN TO PHOTOGRAPHY?
Cobram, Victoria… Population 3600 at last count (When I was 13) My interest in preserving moments came from my mum not letting me use her camera, a Pentax SLR, and me waiting until she went into town one day and stealing said camera and emptying what was left of her film on photographs of farmy type things… the dogs, the cubby house, the peach tree I used to climb in… Mum developed the film and after me getting a smack and sent to my cubby house, she realised that maybe I had an eye “or something” for photography… A love was born

WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED GENRE OF PHOTOGRAPHY? EG PORTRAITS, LANDSCAPE, SPORT ETC
Right now, Music… I love music, I’ve been a musician of sorts for ..well, since I was 6… and melting photography and music together makes me smile

WHAT IS YOUR WORKFLOW PROCESS FROM IDEAS TO EDITING?
Take the last shoot I did, for The Grand Majestic at a little underground club in London called “Underbelly” — I didn’t have a brief, I just wanted shots that said “energy” as is their music style, and I wanted edgy… So, after shooting (Almost always in Canon RAW) I import into Lightroom and tag on the way in, for ease of locating and also for web keyword stuff… I muck about with the sliders and export what best explains the feel of the gig to the viewer… Or, at least I try…

WHAT ARE YOUR TOOLS OF THE TRADE?
I’m all digital these days, though I’m looking around for a Nikon FM2 and a 50mm f/1.4 …I use a Canon 5D Mk2 and a Canon 30D with a 50mm f/1.4 lens and a 24-70 f/2.8 lens mostly… Sometimes if I’m a long way away I will drag out my 100-400 f/4.5-5.7… I have a battery grip on both bodies (LOVE them) I use Sandisk cards, thinkTANK camera bags and god given eyes.

DIGITAL OR FILM STOCK?
As above, Digital for now – Sandisk 600x cards right now, but looking into a bit of film so I can burn through a couple of rolls of Ilford XP2…

IF YOU COULD ONLY USE ONE LENS FOR THE REST OF YOU LIFE WHAT WOULD IT BE?
One lens…. Hmmm…. the 50, yeah, easily… I love that lens! No red ring, no fancy stabilisation… just a sweet, compact, fast fun lens!… f/1.4 is hard to use and hard to stop using!

WHERE DO YOU HOPE TO GO WITH YOU PHOTOGRAPHY?
Not really anywhere, I’d like to be remembered for a shot or two from time to time, but as long as I’m happy whenever I get where I’m going, we’re good!

WHICH OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS DO YOU ADMIRE?
Most of them, really.

WHO HAS INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST IN TERMS OF PHOTOGRAPHY?
A bloke named Richard, he was a friend of my mothers…

WHAT IS YOUR BEST TIP?
Slow down… think some more, then shoot…

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY WORK AND WHERE DO YOU LOOK FOR INSPIRATION FOR YOUR WORK?
The biggest influence on my work is the sound I’m hearing when I release the shutter – Counting Crows, U2, Metallica, Linkin Park… They all get different photos because their music is all different and I love it in different ways. I continue to look for inspiration in the more unsigned acts we’re seeing, or sadly not seeing today… there are some amazingly talented people out their and shooting them, playing, is special.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURATE FILMS, BOOKS AND MUSICIANS?
My fave film would be “Singles” it’s a 90′s film about love, life and music… Books, well… I like a good adventure novel and I love a good inspiring photography book.. those big thick coffee table ones…

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY?
I started music photography as a self challenge… I’ve photographed Alice in Chains, Metallica, U2, Counting Crows, Lenny Kravitz, Dave Matthews… the list goes on and on and I’m blessed by each artist I’ve shot! I see shooting each band as an achievement!

10cc

Acker Bilk

Airbourne

Airbourne

Alice in Chains

Alice in Chains

Alien Ant Farm

Anthrax

Avenged Sevenfold

Boyz 2 Men

Counting Crows

Dave Matthews Band

Dave Matthews Band

Elbow

Franz Ferdinand

Gang of Four

Hot Chocolate

Jeff Beck

Jet

Lenny Kravitz

Linkin Park

McFly

Metallica

Nine Inch Nails

Papa Roach

Razorlight

The Prodigy

Tinchy Stryder

U2

U2

 

This will hopefully be an interesting experiment and throw up some intriguing comparisons of style and equipment.

WHERE ARE YOU FROM AND HOW DID YOU GET IN TO PHOTOGRAPHY?
I live in Israel, in a small town called Ashdod by the sea. I have been into photography for about three years now. Once I was chatting with an Italian guy on Skype, he linked me his photos on Flickr, just snapshots.

Then I started browsing the site and I saw some artistic photos and I thought that I want to have such photos of myself as well. So at first I had a point and shoot camera a few months later I bought Canon 400d. And since then I am taking photos.

WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED GENRE OF PHOTOGRAPHY? EG PORTRAITS, LANDSCAPE, SPORT ETC
My preferred genre of photography is self portraits.

WHAT IS YOUR WORKFLOW PROCESS FROM IDEAS TO EDITING?
Sometimes I have ideas for photos sometimes I just go somewhere and start improvising. If I have any particular idea in mind I write it down in my notebook, also write where I want to take it, what should I wear and such. And I want to execute it as soon as possible.

There are times I come somewhere and I may get inspired by something I see at that location, a rock, a hill, something I haven’t seen before, and I come up with some pose, idea at the spot. I usually shoot outdoors because I don’t have any cool indoor locations.

My dream is to shoot in hotel rooms, I just love hotel rooms. As I finish taking photos, I edit them in Photoshop, I usually like giving them vintage look.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOOLS OF THE TRADE?
I use Canon 400D, Sigma lens 18-200mm, remote controller, tripod and I have a Polaroid 636 Closeup.

DIGITAL OR FILM STOCK?
Digital

IF YOU COULD ONLY USE ONE LENS FOR THE REST OF YOU LIFE WHAT WOULD IT BE?
To be honest I don’t know, I am not an expert in photographic equipment.

WHERE DO YOU HOPE TO GO WITH YOU PHOTOGRAPHY?
I would like to continue shooting, to make it a career if possible, it’s something that I like doing most! Photography is my love, my greatest love.

WHICH OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS DO YOU ADMIRE?
Guy Bourdin, Julia Galdo, Miss Aniela, Elle Moss, Kristamas Klousch.

WHO HAS INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST IN TERMS OF PHOTOGRAPHY?
No one in particular really. I just have an enormous passion for photography.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST TIP?
Practice and experiment.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY WORK AND WHERE DO YOU LOOK FOR INSPIRATION FOR YOUR WORK?
I am inspired by movies, videos, music, light, things I see, pain.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE FILMS, BOOKS AND MUSICIANS?
Fave films-Noise (starring Trish Goff), Japanese story, 21 grams,Run Lola Run, Buddy (Norwegian movie) , Leni, Paranoid Park. Books- David Weiss- “The Assassination of Mozart” Irving Stone- The Agony and the Ecstasy. A biographical novel of Michelangelo. Musicians- Angels and Airwaves, Placebo, Arctic Monkeys, The Last Shadow Puppets, The Drums, Friendly Fires, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Big Pink, Static X, Silverstein, The Kooks, Muse.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY?
I won a commendation prize at the Digital Camera photographer of the year and the photo was exhibited in London, also one of my photos was exhibited in Barcelona, I have been featured in fashion magazine, and recently I shot for a designer (Charlie My Love) also I am going to be featured in Israeli magazine in April.

LINKS TO YOUR WORK
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yuliatangled/

 

This will hopefully be an interesting experiment and throw up some intriguing comparisons of style and equipment.

WHERE ARE YOU FROM AND HOW DID YOU GET INTO PHOTOGRAPHY?
Im from Israel. I was a high school drop out sat at home for a few years with nothing to do because everything outside was too scary I was very depressed and lonely ,my grandmother eventually just said I enrolled you in a photography course I was 18 I thought it was bizarre and out of the blue completely, I only did the course 2 years later didn’t understand a thing about how the camera works but I knew I was in love.

And that was that. Then I had a photographer boyfriend that filled in all that I didn’t understand.

WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED GENRE OF PHOTOGRAPHY? EG PORTRAITS, LANDSCAPE, SPORT ETC
I do love landscapes but Im more into portraits I am doing self portraits for the past year and half I find it easier to deal with myself rather than having anxiety about shooting other people. I do love fine art nudes and erotic photography when tastefully done its very very beautiful.

WHAT IS YOUR WORKFLOW PROCESS FROM IDEAS TO EDITING?
It usually ends up something completely different from what I originally had in mind which is good, I like starting a shoot with an overall direction but Im up for anything once I start.

Having said that I do get annoyed often cause Im a perfectionist and I don’t like it when unplanned things happen but it usually always ends up in my favour.

When it comes to editing I wish I was brilliant with photoshop but Im not. I usually play with colors and that’s about it I wish I knew how those vogue masters get a film effect on their digital shots I wish I was better in editing. I definitely don’t like all that over editing a lot of people do I like to keep it as real as possible. And as classic as I can.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOOLS OF THE TRADE?
I use a Nikon D300 usually with a Nikon 85 f/1.8 but when I need a wider view as the D300 isnt a FF camera unfortunately ill change to my Nikon 17-35 f/2.8. I also have a Nikon 80-200 f/2.8 which I never use I should sell it. I don’t have any pro lights unfortunately I have to get one and a light box Im sure Ill enjoy that allot. For now I just have a lamp that lights my low ceiling so it falls evenly on me and I have reflectors as well to help soften shadows. Unless I want them harsh and contrasted.

DIGITAL OR FILM STOCK?
I prefer film to digital any day especially medium format but its more expensive to shoot because of film and printing expenses.

IF YOU COULD ONLY USE ONE LENS FOR THE REST OF YOU LIFE WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I only have 2 lenses I use at the moment and if I had to keep only one it would be the 85 f/1.8 that I have the bokeh is always so soft and the photos are always so pastel I love it.

WHERE DO YOU HOPE TO GO WITH YOU PHOTOGRAPHY?
I hope to sell my work and make a living from it. I want to get over all my anxiety and start shooting other people as well.

I want to exhibit all over the world and have my own studio.

I have had a few women tell me how great it is to see thighs and that they feel better about themselves after seeing me out there with my curves so I hope that only continues.

I hope people can look in the mirror and just smile, and stop comparing themselves to other people and to what society says we need to look like. If my photos can help than ill be very happy.

WHICH OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS DO YOU ADMIRE?
Terry Richardson one word : genius.

Anniken Hannevik I love her pastel edits
http://www.annikenhannevik.com

Bill Durgin just discovered him and Im so in love with his work.
http://billdurgin.com/figures_and_wares.html

Mario Testino
http://www.mariotestino.com

DUDI HASSON
http://www.dudihasson.com/

WHO HAS INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST IN TERMS OF PHOTOGRAPHY?
I don’t think I can name a person that influenced me when I started shooting it was always just what I felt. Only now Im looking more into other photographers and learning more about what it takes to get a good shot and Im still so far from achieving it cause I don’t shoot other people so when it comes to directing them and getting the image I want I still am not that experienced.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST TIP?
Go with what you feel, work with your gut. And always be open to critique.

Always try to be better don’t ever think you are there cause that’s when you stop learning and stop challenging yourself.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY WORK AND WHERE DO YOU LOOK FOR INSPIRATION FOR YOUR WORK?
I love going online and discovering new photographers all the time I can spend hours going over photos but I wasn’t doing it as much during my 365 last year cause I didn’t want all those images and poses to be stuck in my head cause Im not a model and I didn’t want to get into that mindset now that my 365 is over I am trying different things.

I love simple I don’t think you need a full production to get a good or interesting shot.

Influences have been Jonathan Leder among others who showed me being nude can be so beautiful.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE FILMS, BOOKS AND MUSICIANS?
My favourite books are ones that leave me with something to think about.

Anything with lots of emotion will keep me flipping pages although I need to be still to sit and read and I havent had that quite in my mind for a long time.

Movies are the same I love dramas but also a simple story will be fun to watch I don’t get that American humour so I don’t like most of the Hollywood stuff.

My favourite movies are Arizona Dream and Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind.

When it comes to music Im a huge Mike Patton groupie.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY?
My biggest achievement so far was my exhibition in August after living in hiding all my life I came out into the light and now theres no turning back. And Im very happy to be out there and to be able to do what I do and the fact that people are interested in it and want to see more is humbling and unbelievable all at the same time.

I do hope my biggest achievement is still awaiting me in the future.

 

This will hopefully be an interesting experiment and throw up some intriguing comparisons of style and equipment.

 

This will hopefully be an interesting experiment and throw up some intriguing comparisons of style and equipment.

These are the questions I have put to them:

Make sure you check back for the interviews as they come in.

If you are a photographer with a portfolio by all means feel free to send me your answers and links to your work.

dave@blownpixel.co.uk

SEE THE INTERVIEWS HERE

 

He is located in the International Space Station and is taking pictures as he orbits the Earth. Apart from the fact that these are amazing photos, it really blows my mind that he is micro-blogging through Twitter from space.

Click for larger view..

Arabian Desert

The Grand Canyon

Tokyo at Night

Follow him on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/Astro_Soichi

See and follow his Twitpics here: http://twitpic.com/photos/Astro_Soichi

Soichi’s blog can be found here: http://www.j-wave.co.jp/blog/mp_noguchi/

And his NASA profile here: http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/noguchi.html

 

Apart from the usual quality discussions, a couple of instances have reminded me of one of the basic fundamentals of good photography – composition.

None of the photos I have shown here originates from any of my clients, but they do illustrate (in an amusing fashion) some of the problems encountered when any photographer doesn’t pay attention to exactly what is in the foreground and background of their picture.

Click on image for a closer view…