Re: [Paddlewise] Trip Photography

volinjo_at_juno.com wrote:
> 
> Very Large Snip from Dave Kruger's post:
> 
> OTOH, the
> > Pentax
> > unit stays under my left knee in the cockpit, and gets out to dance
> > anytime I
> > want it.  Result:  Rich has a smaller number of really primo photos
> > (especially scenics from dry land or in camp), but after a trip, he
> > always
> > comes to me to get "snapshots" of on-the-water stuff.
> >
>         Please elaborate on how you keep it under your left knee?  And anyone
> else:   Where do you keep your camera when paddling?  I try to have a
> clear deck (I can't manage to get rid of my spare paddle, but other than
> that, I don't want anything on deck.  I stow my water bottle in a
> knee-hole, my pump in an under-deck bungie, paddle-float & sponge behind
> my seat.  But I can't figure out what to do with the camera.  I tried
> fitting it in the under-deck bungie, but it's not secure there, and I
> find it banging around in the cockpit.  I could put it in the day hatch,
> but I want it to be immediately accessible if I want to take a picture.
> (Often enough, by the time I get the water spots off it, and bring it up
> to my eye, the shot is gone anyway.)
> 
>                         Joan Volin

I hardly ever take photos while paddling.  I did years ago but just
don't bother these days.

However, I can suggest a spot for having a camera handy and out of the
way.  Use a fanny pack with the buckle rolled around to behind you and
the fanny pack against your tummy.  Put it over the sprayskirt and just
under the bottom of your PFD if it is a shortie.  Depending on the size
of your camera and its relative waterproofness/splash resistance you
should be able to come up with a good fanny pack.

For a smallish camera that is reasonably waterproof, Eagle Creek sells a
mesh small fanny pack that weighs next to nothing, I think it is called
the Salamander.  It will fit a small camera.  I use mine for carrying
waterproof binoculars at times.  Other times I use it to give me a
"pocket" for wallet, keys, etc. when paddling in one of my assorted wet
suits combinations, which of course do not have pockets or when using a
dry suit, again no pockets.  The Salamander(if that is its name) has a
flat outside flapped mesh pocket, for clip on sunglasses, lipbalm,
whatever. The zippered main pocket carries my wallet in a ziplock bag
and my keys in a ziplock (don't want any corrosion and the key tips tend
to catch in the mesh otherwise).  It also has a flat "waterproof" pocket
close to your body.  It closes like a zip lock bag.  I basically don't
trust it for its purpose.  Instead I have cut a piece of foam and
inserted it inside the ziplocked section.  This gives me some cushioning
against anything hard in the main pocket and a measure of flotation were
this little fanny pack to come off.  Between the air trapped in that
ziplock pocket and the foam, it should certainly float a wallet and
keys.  I haven't tested it with something as heavy as a small camera or
pair of binoculars.

I prefer this over an ordinary fanny pack because it drains.  I prefer
it to the dedicated waterproof fanny packs that close like dry bags
because it involves none of that roll down motion to close or roll open
to get at things.  If your camera were not waterproof or much splash
resistant, the dry bag closure fanny packs would be worth looking into. 
They are made by Cascade Designs, I think among other manufacturers.

Or just get any ole cheap fanny pack and use it.  Cut a drain hole if
you wish.

Lastly, the jet ski market has several fanny packs for our brethren of
the seas. You can look these over at a West Marine shop or in its
catalog.

BTW, if you ever want to know the temperature of the water, call over a
jet-skier.  Many of their machines have a dial that reads water
temperature.  Also make this a chance to see some of their gear.  As I
mentioned earlier, they have a need for lightweight items that function
well in a marine environment and that are made of materials that won't
scratch up their machines.

What, you won't talk to jet-skiers!!!  I do.  And I wave as we pass each
other.  While some can be obnoxious, most aren't.  They really are
okay...except for their noise in places that are meant to be quiet and
serene.  In busy New York harbor, you can hardly hear them above the
normal din.

ralph diaz
-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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