slightly OT: large format portability

Hi folks,

I'm thinking someone somewhere must have suggestions for making the taking of photos more, er, comfortable. I shoot with a Speed Graphic 4x5 and a Polaroid back and an old Bogen tripod. Most of my phototreks require lots and lots of walking and hiking. My usual solution of backpack for the camera, rope sling for the tripod does not get along with my scoliosis so well. Can anyone give me suggestions for better ways of carrying my equipment? This hurts!

Regards,
Christine

You have noticed that everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the Power of the World always works in circles, and everything tries to be round.....The Sky is round, and I have heard that the Earth is round like a ball, and so are all the stars. The Wind, in its greatest power, whirls. Birds make their nest in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours....
Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were. The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves.

~Black Elk
             
Received on Mon Apr 24 18:31:50 2006