Camera Bag Modifications: Strap Management /  by Matt Pham

I have a lot of camera bags but there are a few things that bother me about all of them. I recently found solutions to those annoyances. While these solutions aren’t new or innovative to some but a big improvement for me.

The problems

  • Loose straps

  • Monopod security

The Solutions

  • Reusable Strap and ITW Web Dominators : Keeps the straps out the way but can still allow for bag adjustments on the fly. Combine it with the elastic strap keepers found on most bags and those straps will be locked in.

  • Multipurpose Fastener : This should be able to secure the monopod down better than the straps that were provided. It should also be fast to attach/remove the monopod from the bag.

What's In My Bag: Len Filters /  by Matt Pham

The first part of a series of things I carry in my bag.

ND filters are staple in my bag especially for capturing drifting. They help achieve the lower shutter speeds in bright conditions. There is only so much you can do before a ND filter is needed. ISO can only go so low and lenses can stop down so far. This is where the ND filter comes into play, it limits the amount of light hits the sensor. Think of it like window tint on a car, the darker the tint the less light can be transmitted in.

For drifting application, I recommend 3 to 6 stop ND filters as the initial purchases. While I had a variable ND filter, I would recommend against them. They were more of headache than a convenience for me. I had a higher end variable that still suffered from the “X” pattern and shift positioning. While not the biggest issue at the end of the day. It just inconveniences that I didn’t want to fool with. But things may have changed as glass techniques advances.

To save money, don’t buy a filter for every lens. I recommend just buying the filter for your most used lens and step up rings for the rest of the other lens. Don’t put cheaper glass in front your expensive lens. Invest in high quality filters that has minimal negative impact on the image quality. Because you can only do so much in post.

While ND filters have a practical use, I have a few specialized filters like the star filter above. I like having these to change things up and keep things fun while photographing. I try to mix these in to have something different. It’s a nice change of pace and can add a little extra wow factor. It’s something I try to sprinkle in when and where I can but not to over do it.

What I use

  1. Breakthrough Photography X4 ND Filter 77MM

  2. Tiffen Black Pro Mist 1/4th 77mm

  3. Hoya Star 8x Filter 77mm

  4. Mindshift Filter Nest Mini

  5. Mindshift Filter Nest

EYB LITE 2023 - Sunday Coverage /  by Matt Pham

EYB Lite or End of Year Bash hosted but NODRFT at NOLA Motorsports Park. EYB started on Friday and ended on Sunday. I was only able cover Sunday but everyone still going full out. It’s my favorite event of the year since everyone tends to go all out 100% and people from out of town come to drift. We had a crazy weather shift, Saturday was rather hot for this time of year. But Sunday was much different and more what you think of as winter temps. Not only was it cold but it was extremely windy that I had to fight when using the big lens.

It’s always a good time to catch up with everyone and meet new people. I hope with every passing year the EYB continues to grow bigger and bigger! These are some of my favorites from the day’s coverage.

The diverse types of cars and driving styles kept things interesting all day!

A lot of makes and models was represented.

What I was waiting for capturing images during sunset. Only during this time of year can I capture drifting during sunset and I had to make the most of it.

Dean's First Christmas /  by Matt Pham

A quick portrait session to document Dean’s first Christmas! I had to a chance to add some Christmas magic in the session.

Ready To Be: Houston Day 1 /  by Matt Pham

I had the opportunity to see Twice in person for the first time and it was amazing. I really wish that the venue wasn’t so strict on cameras. I had my RX100 with me but the staff was watching the crowds like hawks. But Sana did acknowledge my existence during sound check and that was worth the price of admission.

During when Twice was singing when we were kids, I notice that Sana was getting emotional and teary eyed. She was fighting back some tears.

Getting blessed by Momo and Jeongyeon was a great way to end the concert. The time really went by and I was there for soundcheck. Time really went by quick, it was worth every penny to see them in person. I wish I could afford to do multiple stops to visit other cities.