So I've taken very few photos since October, pretty much only taking the camera out for family events or board games strewn about on the street. I wasn't sure why this was. Yesterday, while catching up with a friend, I think I figured it out: I carry my camera in a much less convenient bag now.

      In the past, I used small, flip-open bags. They didn't have much padding, but I'm pretty careful with my stuff so that didn't matter. My little olive green Domke bag, which has been confused with a purse by more than a couple people, is the most convenient camera bag in the world, it just limits what else one can carry with it. I used my larger Crumpler laptop/messenger bag for many years, since it provided ample room for the stuff I wanted to keep with me, but it was too limiting for longer trips. I have a Lowepro dedicated camera backpack, but it ONLY carries camera stuff. There's no room for anything else, the way it's laid out.

      In October, a friend gave me a new Tamrac backpack for my birthday. The thing is fantastic: lots of room for camera stuff in the bottom 3/5ths, and the top is a big space for lots of other stuff. What I'm realizing now is that the less-convenient storage method of having to unzip a tight, water-resistant zipper makes me less likely to pull out my camera compared to lifting up a flap of fabric.

      This will not do. I will have to come up with a solution.

      Forgot to mention, this is the last pic before the California Academy of Science set. This is not nearly as neat as some of the stuff coming up next week (I'm not sure if I'm going to continue posting on weekends). I'm aching to get to the hip-shot people pictures.

2:44 PM