So, there I was… (that’s how all good stories start out, right?) In a remote region of Ireland, hiking up a mountain with a massive rucksack weighing me down and a camera bag strapped over my shoulder. The wind was whipping at me in bursts of seventy and eighty miles per hour, nearly bowling me over. As I staggered with each step up the crooked, narrow steps, my mind went numb with the task at hand and for awhile I lost track of progress and simply inched forward. The day was cloudy and warm, and the fresh sea air from the Atlantic blew in a subtle chill that kept me cool enough to go on.
I forced my way up, spiraling around the mountain as I rose, following the meandering and makeshift path made up of ancient stone. As I climbed, the path turned from slanted rock slabs to steep and crooked cliffs. I took each step with a slow determined meaning, making sure my stance was strong and in balance before lifting my next foot. If I made a wrong move, the wind would take me toppling off the cliff and down the long descent.
Finally, I reached the craggy peak and shrugged off my rucksack, and I simply stared at the stunning panorama of the coastline. On the opposite side, green and blue mounds of earth rolled off into the horizon as far as my eye could see. The ocean seemed closer than it was, but it was still miles off. Another hiker made their way to the top, minutes behind me, and after giving them a few minutes to catch their breath, I asked them for a photograph. I pulled my DSLR camera with the lens already attached from under the flap of my Jack Camera Messenger bag, and walked my fellow tourist through the motions. I walked out to the edge and took in the scene that you see here.
Finally, I reached the craggy peak and shrugged off my rucksack, and I simply stared at the stunning panorama of the coastline. On the opposite side, green and blue mounds of earth rolled off into the horizon as far as my eye could see. The ocean seemed closer than it was, but it was still miles off. Another hiker made their way to the top, minutes behind me, and after giving them a few minutes to catch their breath, I asked them for a photograph. I pulled my DSLR camera with the lens already attached from under the flap of my Jack Camera Messenger bag, and walked my fellow tourist through the motions. I walked out to the edge and took in the scene that you see here.
Minutes later, I packed up my camera and threw on my rucksack, and began spiraling around the mountain along a new path. As I hiked the descent, the vegetation on the side opposite the ocean changed, and as pink and purple florets of flowers huddled in bunches, I saw a variety of tall grass and bushes that I had never seen before. Long flowing grass of green, yellow and burnt orange came into view as I rounded the mountain. Just as the ocean peeked into view, a large animal burst out from a cavern, and stood staring mere feet from me.
As tall as seven feet, with the horns included, a large and wooly mountain goat was eyeing me. At first, my breath caught and my heart began to pound, and I was flushed with uncertainty. But as I readied myself for anything. I eyed him back and I began to inch forward. As soon as the goat noticed my incoming movements, it took off, flying down the side of the mountain in a flash. In those moments, I flipped up the lid off my camera bag and snapped a single shot (the very shot you see here). If it weren’t for the easy access provided by my camera bag, I would have missed my chance, because even though that goat was massive, with huge horns and a large furry coat, the story of what happened would have lost its flavor and drama. But now you can see him, clear as day.
As tall as seven feet, with the horns included, a large and wooly mountain goat was eyeing me. At first, my breath caught and my heart began to pound, and I was flushed with uncertainty. But as I readied myself for anything. I eyed him back and I began to inch forward. As soon as the goat noticed my incoming movements, it took off, flying down the side of the mountain in a flash. In those moments, I flipped up the lid off my camera bag and snapped a single shot (the very shot you see here). If it weren’t for the easy access provided by my camera bag, I would have missed my chance, because even though that goat was massive, with huge horns and a large furry coat, the story of what happened would have lost its flavor and drama. But now you can see him, clear as day.
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All in all, it was an amazing hike. I came down after a couple of hours in Connemara, feeling fulfillment of exercise, adventure and beauty, and relaxed in the pub until the bus stopped nearby. I sat there, alone in this seaside pub, enjoying fresh seafood chowder and editing the photos from my hike.
If it weren’t for carrying the right kind of camera bag, I would have missed my chance. Why? Because I find many camera bag makers to focus on certain styles that I don’t always believe are the most dynamic, nor the safest for expensive camera gear. When you’re a travel photographer, like myself, you need to be ready at a moments notice, but you also have to worry about how the camera bag will perform. Is the bag designed with compartments to help you shoot fast, yet keep gear safe? Also, is it padded well enough to get through just about anything? Because, when I travel overseas, I tend to backpack and live out of my rucksack, so it’s so important to keep the weight low, and the space used as smart as possible, otherwise, you will either be killing your back or you won’t have what you need when you need it the most.
If it weren’t for carrying the right kind of camera bag, I would have missed my chance. Why? Because I find many camera bag makers to focus on certain styles that I don’t always believe are the most dynamic, nor the safest for expensive camera gear. When you’re a travel photographer, like myself, you need to be ready at a moments notice, but you also have to worry about how the camera bag will perform. Is the bag designed with compartments to help you shoot fast, yet keep gear safe? Also, is it padded well enough to get through just about anything? Because, when I travel overseas, I tend to backpack and live out of my rucksack, so it’s so important to keep the weight low, and the space used as smart as possible, otherwise, you will either be killing your back or you won’t have what you need when you need it the most.
The same goes with camera bags, in a way, because as a traveling photographer, I can only carry one body, a few lenses, and little else, because most camera bags don’t marry comfort with functionality, and for me, that’s a problem. But only recently has I found the right kind of bag. One that is fashionable, yet designed for optimum access, as well as a heavy duty padded inside that allows me to greatly organize my gear. So, the next time I’m hiking up a mountain, I am covered, because the Jack Camera Messenger bag by Jill-E Designs is the real deal. Not only is it designed with photographers in mind, but Jill-E Designs knocked this one out of the park, because it’s fashionable enough for any style of person, padded and compartmentalized better than most bags, yet is large enough for the serious gear heads and is versatile enough for nearly any style of photographer.
If you would like to find out more about Jill-E Designs, click here.
If you would like to find out more about Jill-E Designs, click here.
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Article written & Photos by Brandon Scott / Eye & Pen
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