Things to carry along during travel - Travel photography tips 2
December 1st, 2007

    So apart from running out of memory, what are the troubles that you may run into while out clicking photos?

    What are the other things that you may have to carry during travel for making sure that you have the shots you desired?Other than your camera, lenses (if you have a dSLR), memory cards, and, possibly, a tripod or monopod, what else do you need to take? Here are some bare minimums:

    • Battery charger with adapters - Unless your camera accommodates easily found batteries, such as AA cells (which is actually an advantage in some respects), you’ll need to take along your charger and, if you’re traveling outside your home country, an adapter that will let you plug your charger into local electrical outlets. Most newer chargers are the universal type that work with both 110 and 220 volts, but their plugs might not fit the sockets overseas. If your adapter is not a universal type, you’ll need a current converter, as well.
    • Plastic bags - Take plastic bags with you everywhere, even when you’re not planning to shoot photos. You can buy foods or snacks, dump the packaging, and carry your equipment around in the plastic bags. The bags can protect your equipment from humid climes or help you separate exposed from unexposed memory cards. (Write EXPOSED on one of the clear bags.) A gallon sized clear bag makes a good raincoat for your camera. Cut a hole in it and you can take pictures even if it’s wet outside.
    • Camera bag. I happen to own a large LowePro bag that holds two camera bodies and six or seven lenses, plus all the filters and other accessories I need. I usually take everything with me when I am traveling close to home, because you never know when you might need that infrared filter. On longer trips when I am traveling lighter, the large bag stays at home and I use one of several smaller bags, each sized to take only the equipment that is going with me. All I care about are a few resizable compartments so I can stow each item individually, without needing separate cases for them, or worrying that they will dent each other as I move around. A sturdy strap, the ability to open the bag quickly, and surefire protection from the elements are also important. It doesn’t matter whether your bag is a backpack, belt pack, chest bag, or shoulder bag. Use what feels comfortable to you.
    • Other stuff - I usually find room in even the smallest bag for a cleaning cloth, an ear syringe for blowing dust off the camera or sensor, one of those plastic rain ponchos that fold down to the size of a pack of playing cards (I got mine on The Maid of the Mist), and maybe a roll of gaffer tape. You never know when you might need to tape something down or up, or otherwise require gaffing.

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