Shooting From the Hip
In 2007, when I got my Canon Rebel XTi, I remembered that Michael’s old Canon SLR had this awesome vintage-style strap on it. Despite the big, bulky spring snap and swivel eye I used that strap on my first dSLR, and it sort of became my signature.
When I got my Canon 5D Mark II the decision was made to go with the hand strap. I love that I have total control of my camera, along with the security that the hand strap provides, but I just couldn’t give up my camera strap. A photographer needs a camera strap when shooting.
A few weeks ago a Flickr friend commented about the strap in my photo. He asked if I had deliberately chosen to match my earrings to my camera strap. I replied that the strap was some type of vintage design and that the earrings were (my favorite) Fleur-de-lis. He replied demanded I get a Fleur-de-lis strap as soon as possible!
It’s widely know that I have an affinity for the Fleur-de-lis. Not only is it my business logo, but I have two different pairs of earrings, and Michael recently gave me a pendant for my birthday.
Of course it made sense; I should have a camera strap adorned with them, as well.
Enter HighKey Camera Straps.
The first thing I noticed was their clean, user-friendly website. I had no trouble seeing all the different styles in their photos. And, there’s even a page dedicated to the anatomy of the strap. It was love at first click.
Our goal is to equip photographers around the world with camera straps that fit their style and mood. Through our products and designs, we hope to supply you with the tools you need to do what you do, and do it with flare. We’re here to give you options. Live your life in HighKey.
At the core of HighKey Camera Straps are some extremely talented photographers. Real people with a desire to produce quality straps for other photographers. I was immediately impressed by the customer service and even more so with the craftsmanship of the strap when mine arrived. Another one of my favorite things about this company is that everything is Made in the USA!
There are well over 20 different styles to choose from, but the biggest draw for me was that you can create your own custom designed strap. Whoa! How cool is that? Let me tell you…it’s VERY cool! And the proof is attached to my camera now.
It took me all of twenty-minutes to design my strap in Adobe Photoshop. I downloaded the template, found the design I wanted to use, and went at it in Photoshop. Not only was it easy, it was fun. As I was creating this one I kept thinking of other designs. The possibilities are endless with custom design.
My favorite thing about HighKey Camera Straps is the slip resistant underside. Actually, these straps are the only ones in the world to use this unique material. In the couple weeks that I’ve used this strap, I have never felt so confident with the camera at my side. What a difference from the velvet underside of my previous vintage strap!
Then came the idea for my Shooting from the Hip Contest!
{click the link to read about how to shoot from the hip}
To enter the contest and win your own HighKey Camera Strap all you have to do is “shoot from the hip”. Basically, you put your current camera strap on your shoulder, hold your camera at hip level, point, and shoot. Link your image here and my fabulous judges Heather of The Spohrs are Multiplying, Piper of Love, Maria of Mommy Melee, and Meghan of A Mom Two Bosy will pick a winner!
The contest will run until midnight on June 30th with the winner announced shortly thereafter. Make sure you label/tag your entry (wherever you are linking from) with “Shooting from the Hip”. That way the lovely judges know for sure that this is your entry.
Enter the direct link to your picture submission below, using inlinkz!
You can also have another chance to win your own [custom designed] camera strap over at HighKey Camera Strap.
[Disclosure: HighKey Camera Straps provided me with my camera strap for review. The opinions in this post, though, are purely my own. I was not compensated otherwise.]
Tagged: camera straps, contest, HighKey Camera Straps, photo contest, Shooting from the hip
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41 Responses to “Shooting From the Hip”
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Secret Agent Mama, Amy Urquhart. Amy Urquhart said: RT @secretagen... topsy.com/secretagentmama.com/blog/2010/06/17/shooting-from-the-hip/?utm_source=pingback&utm_campaign=L2
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[...] piggy picture shot from the hip at The Farm in Door County for Secret Agent Mama’s Shooting from t... themegalomaniacmommy.com/2010/06/23/shooting-from-the-hip
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[...] First, it’s my entry into Mishi’s Shooting From The Hip contest. [...]... annoyinglyboring.com/from-the-hip-captured-from-the-hip-141365-year-3
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[...] first saw the High Key camera straps on Secret Agent Mama’s blog a few weeks ago, and immediately ... jeanetteverster.com/2010/07/191365-a-strap-of-note
Wow, you can design your own?! So I could like, upload my URL to a strap, which I find totally cool. I will shoot from the hip a.s.a.p. and enter.
This sounds like a fun project. I need to try this one too. I’m always looking for a reason to get out of the house for some photo fun.
This is one of my favorite ways to shoot, especially kids who are at just the right height. I’ve also found its a good way to sneak off a shot on those especially camera friendly kids who ham it up the minute you point the camera at them. I took this shot of Lex’s (@laprimera) littlest the other day at lunch.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melissalynn12/4709221783/
I just love her silly face here. Fun contest Mishi!!
I have to say I love your vintage strap. I remember my dad had one of those back in the day. How I wish he would have kept them. Shooting from the Hip …. I’ll try that out this weekend. :)
Oh I need one of those!!
I hear ya! Rest assured Mr. Vintage is taking up residence on his old friend Madame XTi. :)
Please, please enter!!
I linked you up in the inlinkz! Thank you for entering. I love that shot!
I was hoping you would enter!!!
They are soooooo cool. Can’t wait to see your entry!
I have the original strap that came with my Canon. I will have to take a picture and enter.
I know EXACTLY which camera strap I would love to have around my neck!
I took this photo on my last trip to London. The kids were pulling at me and the chalk artist wasn’t particularly happy, so I just let my camera hang in front of me and I snapped this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/redlotusmama/4710345330/in/set-72157623910308307/
The trees above were casting the shadow. You can just see a glimpse of his coffee cup. It’s not a bad photo … maybe I should shoot from the hip more often?!?!?!
I am all over this. I FINALLY started the business this week (talk about good timing) and this would be perfect! Thanks, sweetie!
You have my permission to kick me in 3 days if I have not entered this. (I do well with reminders and/or repercussions.)
This is soooo cool! Imagine, customizable straps?!? the possibilities are endless!
I can’t wait to see. You gotta take a picture at the Biltmore!
Can’t wait to see what you add, and CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Will do. Will do.
I. Love.
I think I’ll take a shot at this.
After ogling your strap, I must enter! :-)
Dude…..I saw this message yesterday while I was at the beach and went and did it. I downloaded the pics this morning, looked at the two that are up on your site and now am shrinking back into my corner. Damn, who gets pics THAT AWESOME without looking through the viewfinder?! *sigh*
I’d be upset if you didn’t!
WOOHOO!
Oh hush. Try again, yo!
Sounds like fun!
Going to try this and see what happens :P
Wow. This was a tough one. But, I love the results of a few after shooting only 183 of them. Thanks for the challenge. The photos so far are amazing.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jodishull/4660959622/
Great give-a-way!
Right I’ve submitted my entry – crossing all my bits now and hoping :-) Thanks for a great challenge I really enjoyed it.
I am so glad I came across this post. I had a lot of fun shooting from the hip and got some great pics! Thanks!
So cool. I’ll feel like a gunslinger. You know, I always joke that I like to shoot digital and my husband likes to shoot bullets. LOL We’re both shooters.
great contest mishi! i am always looking for ways to break out of a slump and shooting blind can be a great way to do it!
That’s us, too!
Here is my entry ‘from the hip’… http://www.flickr.com/photos/ifmomsaysok/4737443730/
Thanks for the great photo idea…
Awesome challenge! So much fun! Mine was shot “from the hip” because that water was pretty chilly (lake Michigan in June) and I didn’t want to bend down and get in any deeper than mid-thigh! LOL.
http://mischiefandlaughs.blogspot.com/2010/06/lake-love-from-hip.html
I have entered and I have to say that I LOVE the photo I took. It will find itself somewhere in the house soon!