Camera Bags - Which Bag is Best For Your Camera-

There are literally thousands of camera bags on the market, far more different models and styles than there are cameras! Whether you're an occasional photographer who likes to take their snaps on a fixed lens digital compact or a professional who carries thousands of pounds worth of kit wherever you go, choosing the right camera bag is essential.

Holsters
The simplest type of camera bag available, worn over your shoulder and swings lose around your body. Holds a single fixed lens or DSLR camera and small number of accessories, such as a spare battery or extra memory card.

The trouble with holsters and in fact many types of camera bags is that it's difficult to hide the fact you're carrying a camera! If you're travelling in locations where pickpockets operate, it may be worth buying a clip to attach your holster to your belt to prevent thieves from snatching your camera.

holsters are great for tourists, because they are lightweight, have some padding to give protection and often made from semi-waterproof material. However, they tend to swing around whilst you walk or move, so are not the best if you're cycling, horse-riding or trekking.

Belt Packs
Belt packs are a slightly larger bag which clips onto your belt, allowing for more kit, such as a spare lens or additional flash. Typically they open outwards to allow easy access to your camera. The clear advantage to belt packs is the added security of keeping them attached to your body as well as extra space for your accessories. They also allow for more mobility, not swinging around as you move. However they can make it difficult to crouch or sit down.

Shoulder Bag
If you want to disguise the fact you're carrying a camera then shoulder bags can be the perfect option. They come in a wide variety of fabrics and bright designs which can be thrown over your shoulder and look like any typical tote bag. They provide more space, with a variety of padded compartments which can easily be accessed by swinging the bag around your body.

The problems with shoulder bags are they're not great if you require a lot of mobility, they can be heavy for one shoulder and could easily snatched from your body.

Backpack
Popular with professionals, backpacks provide a vast amount of padded space for all your kit and enable you to keep your hands free, which is perfect for taking photos on the move, whether on a mountain bike, snowboard or trekking. Straps are usually padded for comfort, an all-weather cover is usually included as well as additional straps for tripods and pockets for laptops, ID cards and pens.

Sling backpacks are also available, which only go over one shoulder and can be swung round to the front to access your kit, preventing you from having to remove the pack every time.

How to Make Canvas Fabric Messenger Bags

The versatility of a canvas messenger bag allows you to use it to carry your belongings in most any situation. Whether you are carrying large books, or need a bag to put your personal items in overnight, a messenger bag would be your best option. If you want to save money, yet still get the perfect messenger bag, you can create one out of simple canvas fabric. The process of making a canvas fabric messenger bag is a bit detailed, but with a little practice you will be able to finish one in no time.

Cut two pieces with your scissors to form the front and back of the bag. Also cut one flap, one long strap and three gussets. Gussets are the strips that will form the sides as well as the bottom of the bag. The size of the cuts will depend on how big you want your messenger bag to be. Two gussets should be as long as the sides of your front and back pieces, the other should be as long as the bottom edge of the front and back. Their width will depend on how thick you want the bag to be--the wider the gussets, the more the bag will hold.

Sew the three gussets together from end to end on their short ends with needle and thread. Press the seams open with your iron. This will look like a long strip of fabric after sewing.

Pin your gusset to the bag’s front piece--wrong sides together--and sew the seam in place. Pin your gusset to the back piece in the same manner and stitch this with your thread and needle as well. When you sew the seams as you go, you are giving yourself a more stable working frame.

Pin your flap to the top of the bag and do the same for the right sides. Stitch these into place with your thread and needle and attach your closures to your bag’s flap.

Pin the strap as well as the lining right sides together. Leave the short ends open as you sew the pinned pieces together with your thread and needle. Use your scissors to trim the seams.

Turn the bag’s strap inside out to show the right side of the fabric. Use your iron to press the seams flat. Stitch the bag’s short ends and pin the strap to its side gussets. Sew the strap to the gussets using your thread and needle and trim the excess thread with your scissors.

Complete the bag’s lining by pinning sewing the lining gussets together. Apply the same procedure as you did for your messenger bag’s outer shell.

Pin and sew your gussets to the bag’s back and front pieces and hem the top edge. Use your thread and needle to stitch the lining’s top edge to the top edge of your bag’s outer shell.