f-stop 15th Anniversary Story
What is your first memory of f-stop or f-stop bags?
I first heard about f-stop bags through my photography friend & f-stop Icon, Christian Pondella in 2014. We were both heading on an expedition to ice climb the remaining glaciers atop Mt Kilimanjaro with pro climbers Sarah Hueniken & Will Gadd. I was in desperate need of a quick access mountain pack to fit camera/camping gear. It was love at first sight. Exactly what I needed. I still use my Satori 7 years & 38 counties later. [The Satori is no longer available.]
What benefits do you get from f-stop bags that you can't find in other bags?
These packs are burly, comfortable & efficient. Period.
What is your favorite f-stop bag?
I still use my very first f-stop pack, but it might be time to retire my 7 year-old Satori and grab the Tilopa. It's the perfect carry-on friendly travel pack. And of course, I NEED my Shinn for those big expeditions. Both packs have complimented my work habits perfectly.
Tell us something you discovered about your f-stop bag(s) you didn't know until you got the bag into use or in the field?
When you're hiking & filming for days, the best way to carry your camera is by attaching it to your backpack. I discovered f-stop's shoulder strap metal rings and clipped my camera on with a carabiner. The camera weight is better distributed and I'm not muscling the camera with my arms.
Which bag do you use most frequently?
I've been using my Satori for everyday travel & my Shinn for the bigger missions.
What is your favorite project you've worked on in the last few months, and why?
I recently spent several weeks on an expedition inside potentially the deepest cave in the world. It was exploration in its purest form as we crawled/swam/rappelled our way into areas no human had ever been to before. That's a special feeling.
Photographer BIO:
"It all started with my sister, a cheap bicycle, a cheaper handycam, and a 4,100km ride across China. The passion for travel & storytelling exploded and I never looked back."
Pablo is a director of photography with high attention for audio, an experienced FAA Certified drone pilot as well. He seems happiest when it's remote and conditions are miserable. But adventure isn't the only driving element for the trilingual Colombian native. He also focuses much of his attention on social justice issues. "Documentaries have an incredible ability to educate and to inspire," and it's another big reason he became a cinematographer.
Pablo has covered the first all-female Afghan mountaineering team, hippos in Colombia, drug wars in Mexico, climbing in Antarctica, kayaking in Greenland, volcanoes in Vanuatu, American prisons, extreme motor-cross racing, ivory poaching in Africa, labor abuses in the global food industry.
Clients include: National Geographic, Netflix, HBO, CNN, Discovery, Smithsonian, Red Bull Media House, The North Face, DJI, The New York Times, PBS, BMW, Under Armour, United Airlines, AARP, Adventure Scientists, Lupus Research Alliance.
Explore Pablo's gear:
Images from Pablo's expedition to the cave and from Mt. Kilimanjaro:
Photos taken by Kasia Biernack(@kasiabiernacka_photography). Pablo Durana and Christian Pondella (@christianpondella).