But my real goal was to replace the mid-size bag that I use for paid shoots but that I can also walk around downtown with. ONA makes some compact daily carry bags like the Bond Street and Bowery Street. What I liked about the look of Ben’s bag and the other ONA bags I’d seen is that they have a simple, rugged, masculine style about them, yet they also look refined enough to command the respect that my faded and frayed old Domkes seem unable to cull. He even made an appearance on their website. He was carrying an ONA Bowery Street bag and told me that he has several ONA brand camera bags, of varying sizes and styles and he really loves and endorses them. Recently, I got drinks with photographer Ben Eisendrath. Where a brassed Leica might look storied, a tattered camera bag just looks like you need a new camera bag! But worse, I was beginning to wonder if my beloved, tried and true Domke F-6 was making me look unprofessional to clients. And it doesn’t really reflect the person I want the outside world to see. The Domke just isn’t consistent with my look or environment much of the time. It’s possible that I read too much into his reaction, but it wasn’t the first time that I felt a little underdressed with the Domke, walking into a nice restaurant with a frayed and threadbare camera bag while wearing wingtips and a button-up does exactly the opposite of why I use this worn bag – it actually draws, rather than deflects attention. I could see my client’s face drop with a quick and obvious assessment as he politely swallowed his disapproval and steered the conversation elsewhere.Ī few dire details of my two-decade-old Domke F-6 There are even a few holes and threadbare spots on the bottom. The shoulder strap is ragged and frayed along the edges, as are some corners of the bag. It has some sentimental value because it was gifted to me by photographer Joey Pasco and is pushing 20 years old. But then I saw his eyes scan over to my tattered and faded olive canvas Domke F-6.
He took one look at my wife’s decade-old Kelly Moore full grain leather bag and said “Hey, nice looking camera bag!” Clearly he was impressed and it was a nice way to kick off our evening photo shoot. The groom, who I know to have impeccable taste, greeted my wife and I when we arrived. That was my position until my last wedding shoot anyway. And hey, cheaper camera bag, more budget for film, right? I justified my position by thinking that a cheaper, more tatty looking bag was less likely to attract attention and get stolen. As long as I had something durable that I could organize neatly, that has been fine. I’ve never been one to care very much about stylish camera bags.
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