Before you rush out the door on your next photography adventure, take a few minutes to ensure you pack your camera bag essentials. Have you ever been out on a shoot, miles from home, only to realise you forgot to pack a spare battery? Or perhaps you arrived at a landscape location only to realise it’s brutally hot and you forgot a sun hat? When planning your photography adventure, you must consider what your camera bag essentials include. Beyond the camera and lenses, there are many options to ensure that your gear is in tip-top condition and that your comfort and safety are optimised. Make a list on your phone of your camera bag essentials to match the style of photography adventure. Before placing any gear in your bag, lay all your essentials on a table to take stock and tick off the critical items. Now, it’s time to pack!
Weathering The Day
One of the most essential steps in packing your camera bag is checking the weather forecast. Not only do you have to dress for the weather, but you also have to consider the potential for weather changes. Temperature changes and foul weather can often form quickly when travelling to remote locations. It’s especially precarious when out shooting at dusk as the temperature can drop significantly. Be mindful of local advice on potential weather impacts and pack gloves, a beanie, sun hat, over-shirt, protective jacket and sunscreen to suit the conditions. Your comfort and safety are just as important as that of your gear. If your fingers are too frozen to press the shutter button, there's no point packing your big new camera. Packing a water bottle and a high-energy snack or two is also necessary. Dehydration, sunburn, and hunger lead to fatigue and a foul mood- that’s no recipe for creative genius!
Power On
While I’m a big advocate of heading out the door with only the camera in my hand, it’s not always a practical approach. Often, we head out on an adventure expecting to not return home till the end of the day. As a result, you have to consider how you will power your camera for that duration. The night before any shoot, ensure you recharge your camera batteries. While your DSLR may get 1000 shots to a battery, don’t rely on it. Packing spare batteries and memory cards is an insurance policy against disappointment and missed opportunities. The same applies to battery-powered speedlights and LEDs. I would also recommend packing a fully charged power bank to keep your smartphone and camera battery topped up should the need arise. As a result, be sure to pack the necessary charging cables. Also, If you’re heading out later in the day or at night, pack a small torch or LED headlamp.
Keep It Clean
A simple camera and lens cleaning kit is another form of insurance against spotty and disappointing shots. While many camera stores sell complete kits, you can also make your own with a high-quality microfibre cleaning cloth and some alcohol-free cleaning wipes. Beyond those items, you could add a fine-bristled brush to safely remove dust and grime from your kit without scratching surfaces. Avoid using the corner of your shirt or the end of your sleeve to clean your lens glass. You’ve spent hundreds of dollars on your camera gear; the least you can do is keep it clean.
Choose Your Lenses Wisely
The camera is a given. You need the right camera for the task at hand. When it comes to lenses, there’s no need to pack every single lens you own. That adds excessive bulk and weight to your camera bag. Be selective and consider the application. Rather than striving for a lens for every occasion, make the lenses you take work for you. Don’t spend your entire day rummaging around inside your camera bag, looking for the best lens for the shot. While it depends on the genre you are shooting and the subjects in mind, working with a minimal lens kit optimises the creative process. Make a rule for yourself to only pack two lenses - one on your camera and one in the bag. Any more, and you begin to juggle too many lenses and choices. See the shot and take the shot with the lens you have on your camera at that moment.
Be Prepared
Depending on the kind of photography you pursue and the locations you visit, it’s important to pack some essential items. I call it the Boy Scout Be Prepared section of the camera bag. I was a Scout as a kid, and whenever I was on an adventure, I always carried a small Swiss Army knife and a box of waterproof matches. Be prepared for the photography adventure that awaits you. I’m certainly not suggesting you pack a knife. But if you’re any kind of adventure photographer, you might consider a lightweight multitool like a Leatherman. It might be helpful if your tripod locks up or you dent a filter and can’t unscrew it from your lens. Along with a water bottle and snack, I pack some paracetamol in case of a headache or achy back. Finally, I grab a handful of my business cards if someone wants to see some of my work or hire me for a gig.
Bag It Up
Now that you’ve laid out all your essential camera bag items neatly, it’s time to select the right bag. If you head out with an uncomfortable heavy bag, you’ll regret it all day. Nothing ruins the joy of photography faster than discomfort and pain. While you can reduce the weight in your bag by fitting a comfortable strap to your camera, selecting the right bag for the job is still essential. If travelling on foot over long distances, a camera backpack is a must. If carrying a small street-style kit for a day in town, consider a camera sling for hopping on and off public transport. As a street and travel photographer, I always carry my camera in my hand with a Lucky Camare Straps wrist strap securely attached. That way, my camera bag is lightweight and comfortable to carry. It also means that my camera is instantly accessible should I see a shot I want to take quickly. Your camera strap and camera bag must be secure, comfortable and work for you. Now that you’re packed, get out there and seek the light.
