Part 2, Behind the Scenes in Moab: Patrick Cobb and Photo Sport 200 AW

Editor’s note: As promised, we are pleased to share imagery and Lowepro bag impressions from a photographer our design team met on a recent trip to Moab, Utah. You get a feeling for Patrick Cobb’s work right at his home page. An ethereal image from Shiprock, New Mexico paired with a quote from Edward Abbey pretty much sets the tone for his distinctive work. Check out his web site when you get a chance.

Patrick was working out of his Photo Sport 200 AW backpack when he met up with Ryan and Luis in Arches National Park. He was kind enough to share some of his Utah imagery and impressions of carrying the pack for desert hikes and photo ops.

“I had the opportunity to explore the Desert Southwest a few years ago. I soon discovered that the southern third of Utah contains some of the most amazing scenery in the world, a paradise of otherworldly landscapes chock full of colorful rock formations that seem to defy the laws of physics.”

“In particular, the area surrounding Moab, Utah, is my favorite place to photograph.  To the northeast is Arches National Park, home to the famous Delicate Arch, which adorns the Utah state license plate. To the west is the visually complicated labyrinth of Canyonlands National Park; so large it contains four separate and distinct districts. And to the southeast, the snowy aspen covered La Sal mountains rise to over 12,700 feet above the red desert floor.”

“Moab is a 2-hour drive from where I currently live so its great to have such easy access to world class scenery. Late autumn is the best time to visit, when the weather is cool, the tourists are mostly gone and the canyon drainages are aflame with fall foliage from the cottonwood trees. Summers bring the crowds and the triple-digit heat, which can severely limit time outdoor activities, although monsoon season can put on some incredible lightning displays. Winters are cold, and snow is common, which can make for some nice landscapes.”

“The colors of the land and sky are at their most saturated during the “magic” hour around sunrise and sunset. Shooting during storms, both in summer and winter, can also make for some dramatic lighting situations.”

“I recently upgraded to a Canon 5D Mark II, with the 24-105mm f/4 and 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lenses. My camera and both lenses fit snuggly in my Lowepro Photo Sport 200 backpack, which is a comfortable and durable pack for day hikes in the desert. I usually carry about 2 quarts of water and a stash of granola bars in the top compartment and there is even a compartment for a Camelbak, if I needed to carry more water. I also like that there are adjustable straps on the side to attach a full size tripod, for night shooting. If I get caught in a downpour, all I have to do is pull over the built-in rain cover and it keeps all my equipment safe and dry.”

Learn more about the Photo Sport 200 AW backpack and other bags in the Photo Sport AW series here.

And watch our blog (and Facebook page) for reports back from more photographers that Ryan and Luis met on their Utah adventure. We’re looking forward to sharing more images and bag reviews with you!