posted August 15, 2012 in Photographer Resources 10 Comments

Landscape photography tips, Part II {21 Gear Essentials}

Welcome to Part II in my Landscape Photography Series!

After shooting these landscape images in Ireland, I’ve been asked what gear do I choose when shooting landscapes. Short answer: lots of my wedding photography gear, but I share 20 essentials in my gear bag. While, there are the obvious (keys, wallet, coffee), I present some the not-so obvious in this video:

http://vimeo.com/47604562

The Checklist:

1. Reference material / Inspiration. “Good artists borrow, Great artists steal,” said Picasso.
2. A relic from the past. This reminds you while you are on your journey while you are out there so you don’t loose sight on the bigger picture, especially when the going gets tough.
3. A notebook. You’ll be surprised the thoughts that pop into your head when you least expect it. I find writing down the highlights from each day after dinner helps me not only recall the little details later, but offers me a great appreciation for the day’s accomplishments.
4. Camera and one lens. I know it is hard to only bring one, but what a difference it can make to force you to think differently and creatively.
5. Tripod. This actually becomes almost like a second lens and you can use it for longer exposures.
6. Special place for your cards (or film). Just don’t loose them.
7. A detailed map. Getting lost can be considered exploring, but only if you have the time.
8. Flashlight. Not just for finding your way in the dark, but for painting with light as well.
9. Video or sound recorder. To document what can’t be in stills.
10. Good food. Duh.
11. Universal adapter (power adapter). Voltage adapters also reduce the power to not fry your devices.
12. Business cards. You never know who you’ll meet on the trail.
13. A mini tripod. Optional, but I like a second one for position the smaller cameras, video lights, ect.
14. A mini-LED key light. To find stuff in your gear bag.
15. Multi-use pocket knife. MacGyver couldn’t live without one.
16. Phone. To share portfolio to those who might ask.
17. Passport. Keep on you in the event of an emergency.
18. ND filter. To help properly expose for skies and landscapes.
19. Spare batteries. Keep it with your memory cards to ensure they are handy.
20. Appropriate footwear. No one likes cold feet.
21. Wheels for freedom. I love being independent while traveling abroad. Sure trains and buses work, but on such a limited timeframe, I want to have complete control of where and when I visit places, especially since so much of the ‘good light’ happens where I don’t expect.

My rental car, branded to kern-photo colors (one of my 22 branding tools in my marketing arsenal I blog about here):

I loved driving over Healy Pass, a curvy one-lane road I had all to myself.

That’s it for now! I hope you enjoyed this second part in a mini-series of topics aimed to help landscape photographers do what they love. If you have any questions, please comment below I’ll answer or address them in an upcoming series.

If you missed Part I, Click Here to view my tips for enjoying the unknown while shooting in amazing locations.

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Posted by R. J. on August 15, 2012
Tags: 21 camera tools, ireland, landscape photography gear, tips for landscape photography