Author Archives: Mitchell Brown Photographer

Outdoor photography demands mobility, comfort, and quick access to your camera. I’ve been using the Hyker 12L Slingbag by Cotton Carrier for a while now and it’s designed with all three in mind. Its standout feature is the integrated camera mount positioned directly on the shoulder strap. This smart design allows your camera to mount and dismount quickly and securely, so you’re never fumbling when the perfect shot appears. 

The sling is well balanced and I find it to be less of a strain on my back. Something that is crucial for me. 

It’s made to last using quality materials such as Water-repellent N400D Nylon with YKK zippers and UTX buckles. Built to weather the storm. 

I thoroughly enjoy wearing the sling. It’s comfortable, not bulky and well thought out. 

When you’re out in the field, whether hiking rugged trails, tracking wildlife, or capturing sweeping landscapes your gear setup can make or break the experience. That’s where the Cotton Carrier Hyker Slingbag truly shines. 

If your adventures take you off the beaten path, this may just become your new favorite piece of gear.

The Hyker can be purchased off Cotton Carrier directly.

https://www.cottoncarrier.com/en-ca/products/hyker-slingbag-for-camera?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Canada&utm_content=NEW%20Hyker%20Slingbag%20for%20Camera&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=CA_PerformanceMax&utm_term=–&utm_content=–&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19986382758&gclid=CjwKCAiAqprNBhB6EiwAMe3yhqwA6W9rB3-QduVEMCsNpQ9_aojCEYtBvxSE1i_cTyszvmMQHaMnAhoCHxYQAvD_BwE&country=CA

The Haukland Classic 7in1 Outdoor Photography Jacket has completely transformed the way I shoot in harsh Canadian winters. When you’re standing for hours in freezing temperatures waiting for the perfect light, staying warm isn’t a luxury, it’s essential. This jacket truly delivers.

Even in biting winds and deep sub zero conditions, it keeps me incredibly warm without feeling bulky or restrictive. The layered 7-in-1 system makes it easy to adapt to changing weather, whether I’m dealing with dry cold, heavy snow, or a damp chill. I can focus on capturing images instead of worrying about freezing through my base layers.

What really sets it apart for photography is the 27 thoughtfully designed pockets. I have dedicated spots for memory cards, spare batteries filters, and even larger accessories. The large pockets are perfectly placed and easy to access, even while wearing gloves. Everything I need is organized and within reach, no digging through a backpack in the snow. They even thought about lens cleaning cloths build right into a zipped pocket on the forearm of the jacket. 

This jacket isn’t just outerwear, it’s a mobile workstation built for photographers who refuse to let Canadian winters slow them down.

When I arrived at the location this morning I didn’t see any other photographers there and my heart sunk a bit. Was the Owl gone? I finished my coffee contemplating just leaving but a little voice said go into the forest anyway. I hopped out of the car and opened the hatch. Threw my Cotton Carrier on and mounted my camera, grabbed my tripod and across the street I went. As I started walking through the snow covered trees I began to relax. There’s a positive vibe about walking in a forest.

My eyes were scanning the trees for the owl but all I was seeing were snow covered branches. I walked in further following the narrow path. One slip off the beat down foot path and you’re into almost waist deep snow in some parts. My eyes took turns, scan the trees, scan the path. Discouragement was setting in but at this point I wasn’t giving up. I rounded a tree line and then looking up I saw two photographers. Eyes to their cameras and lenses pointing straight ahead. I’m not going to lie, I got as excited as a little boy on Christmas morning. Those photographers weren’t making images of squirrels… the Great Grey was there!!! He certainly was. I spent 2 hours with him. Mostly sitting in the snow. I soon discovered that yes you can freeze your butt off. He flew off his perch to an even better perch and was scanning the snow below for voles. He put on quite a show for us but never did dive into the snow for its next meal. Eventually he took flight up into a tree where he sat motionless and closed its eyes.

I can’t tell you just what those 2 hours did for my mental wellbeing. Being in nature resets me but being in nature with a majestic Great Grey Owl and snow softly falling made my entire day. Yes I may have only gotten two flight images but I did get a lot of beautiful portraits of him and for that I’ll be forever grateful.

Nature…. So good for the soul.

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Good morning folks. There’s something about this scene that drew my eye. The tree, the barn, aged, crooked, weathered. 

I wonder what was housed in that barn? Are there carvings in the tree. A heart with two names. I wonder what stories they are holding, what secrets. How many picnics were had under that tree? Did kids play in the barn. Both true signs of resilience. The forces of nature they endured. They are old now but still standing. Was the tree planted the day the barn was built. How proud was the farmer once that last nail was hammered into the barn boards. There’s history in this scene. 

The resilience reminds me of my own journey, I’ve endured my own storms with my disability, I may be weathered but like the barn, like the tree I’m still standing, still alive. I too am full of stories and of course a few secrets. 

As I drove by this scene the tree was the first thing I noticed. Trees to me represent life, strong roots hold it upright. They are our planet’s natural filtration and life support system. They perform two distinct but equally vital roles producing the oxygen we breathe and cleaning the air of pollutants. 

The barn? Shelter from storms, my camera shelters me from my internal storms. 

Broken but beautiful just as some of us are.  

After making the image I sat there and just took the scene in. Have others? How many pictures have been taken of this scene? Any? 

There is a quote by Johnathan Swift, a 17th-century Anglo-Irish author, satirist, and clergyman. It’s a quote I will forever remember. 

” Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others” 

I had that vision yesterday morning. Have others? 

The roots of resilience run deep, weathering the storms of time.

Make it a great day, chase the light…cheers