Northern Image Photographers

	Northern Image Photographers Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

“Do I need to Carry Everything?”
Geoff Payton - 2008

You’ve seen how much closer you can get with a macro lens.....

and seen how the sky ‘pops’ with a polarizing filter.......

and you really want to shoot some Black & White film.......

and what if you see a moose.........

Many of us do have a tendency to acquire more and more equipment as we strive to create the best possible photographs. And there’s nothing wrong with that - but at times we must make the hard decisions on what to carry with us. “I bought it - I may as well bring it” may work well if you are doing most of your photography in one place; you can always leave your spouse’s suitcase at home to make more room in the trunk of the car!

For most of us, a little planning can help narrow down the amount of equipment we carry for any particular task. The first step is to determine where we are going, how we will get there, and what we might see. If you are travelling through a National Park, you can stuff the car full of gear, and then choose from that for hikes. If you are covering a wedding, you will need to carry most of the necessary equipment with you at all times. A sports photographer may set up in one place and shoot from there for the duration of the event. A backpack trip through the mountains means camera gear must share space (and weight) with tents, cooking supplies, food, and clothing. A trip to Australia would first require paring down to airline luggage limits, then the other choices must be made.

What types of photography do you plan or hope to accomplish? Pick equipment suitable for planned or possible subjects. Taking photos at a family reunion probably means you can leave your longest lens, and most of your filters behind. Hiking through the woods will mean you want a long lens in case you spot wildlife, and a macro lens in case you don’t. Think about what types of surroundings you will be in. Prairie fields? Mountains? Forest? Church Hall? Hockey Rink? And how about the weather? A polarizing filter won’t have any effect on an overcast day, or indoors - and evening shooting will require long exposure times. These are times when a tripod and a flash may be mandatory.

How will you be carrying your equipment? A camera bag can hold a lot, but can also wear out your shoulder quickly. A fanny pack can hold a minimum of gear comfortably; try heading out with a body, and 2 lenses. Another option is a photo vest, which can hold a reasonable amount of gear and still leave you ‘hands-free’. Airline or watercraft travel probably requires the use of waterproof hard protection, such as a “Pelican” case.

What else do you have to carry or keep track of? Holding a youngster’s hand, toting a backpack of camping supplies, or carrying water and snacks all must figure into the overall ease of travel.

Other considerations include the duration and the opportunity to re-supply during the trip. One good battery and one spare may get you safely through a weekend - but it would be a lot tougher to recharge batteries in the backcountry of Alaska than during a trip to Disneyworld. Similarly, a spare camera body may be necessary during a remote trip when repair or replacement would be impossible.

So, how can you minimize what you carry with you?
Realistic expectations of what you may be photographing, how you and your equipment are transported, and having an alternate plan in the event of difficulty can all be decided before leaving the house.

If the main reason for the trip is other than photography (family vacation, wedding, reunion, business trip, etc), decide if you would be comfortable with a disposable camera or a P/S. Either would also make a safe back-up to your SLR.

Keeping it “all in the family” when purchasing equipment minimizes duplication. 2 camera bodies that use the same lenses just makes more sense than using different manufacturer’s lines. The use of zoom lenses means you can cover a large range with just one or two lenses; a 28-80 and a 100-300 lens covers most things you might shoot. Consider standardizing filter sizes (buy filters to fit the largest lens, and buy step-up rings for the others). This cuts down on both expense and number of items to carry.
If you are travelling with a photographer who uses the same manufacturer, you can share things such as extension tubes, lenses, etc., and each person can haul a little less.

Can you use your self-timer instead of bringing your cable release? How about a freezer ziploc bag for a trip to the beach - simply fill it with sand when you get there to provide a beanbag support. How about using a wad of tinfoil instead of carrying that reflector with you? For some trips, a set of close-up filters may substitute for a macro lens.

Make those hard decisions; leave your sunset filter at home when you are shooting a soccer game, don’t drag along your flash and reflector when you are shooting star trails, and leave your 500mm wildlife lens behind when you are taking photos of a bride and groom sharing that first dance.

Cutting down on the amount of equipment you bring along will simplify your in-the-field decisions, enabling you to spend more time shooting and less time thinking about gear. The lighter weight will also make it more enjoyable, and allow you to continue shooting long after others have worn themselves out by bringing the kitchen sink!