Adventure Photography Home            Workshops           Photography Tours           Registration           About Us          Contact          Bookstore          Southeast Gallery Home
Adventure Gear
General:
If you're going on a Tour or Workshop, it's a good idea to read the complete description as we try to make sure you're aware of special things to bring along. The following list is not only for photographic gear, but also for items related to other factors, such as change in temperature - very cool mornings then hot days, or night verses day shooting assignments.

The list is pretty comprehensive and many items are not needed for some tours and workshops. We just tried to think of everything we'd love to be able to bring along (wishing we had an assistant to help carry it!). The orientation now is towards digital, but the same applies for film, maybe with a few less pounds of batteries. Remember: It's not about the equipment, it's about the image.


Legal/Money:
For overseas, make sure your Passport is up to date. Some countries require that the passport expiration date is at least a certain number of months after a visa valid-to date.

Credit Cards are the way to go, but internationally, you will need a Pin in many countries. Call your credit card company and request a pin number and don't forget it - it's four digits, so add it to a made-up phone number & name in your wallet for memory convenience. Also, your bank's check-card may not work overseas as an ATM card, so bring an actual credit card just in case.

Travelers Checks are difficult to cash, especially since many overseas banking hours are not convenient to the tour schedules. ATM's are everywhere!

Basics:
Good walking shoes
International electric plug adapters for overseas tours.
Alarm Clock
Lightweight Rain Poncho.
Plastic bags for equipment or camera bag - if caught in the rain.
Small towel for cleaning up.
Water bottle and snack food.
Sunscreen.
Hat - for rain, sun, heat, cold.
Sunglasses
Bug spray.
Compact flashlight - so important for sunrise/sunset and night shooting.

Camera Bags:
Good Camera Bag - to haul around all of your stuff. Backpack styles are the most comfortable for tours that require a bit of walking, or even getting around the airport. Read reviews or check measurements so you know it's not too big to carry-on a plane. Generally, the size is defined by linear inches - add the height, width, and depth - and most airlines permit from 45 to 51 linear inches and 25 to 40 pounds (a bag of 22"x14"x9" would be 45 linear inches & 40lbs max. - the maximum for Delta). International flights can be very different, so check the airline websites. Also, if you put some valuable equipment in your checked baggage, make sure camera equipment is on their list of approved checked baggage. If so, you can declare an Excess Baggage Value amount when you check in. A small fee will apply, but then you're covered if they lose it.

Another option is for an additional smaller day-bag where you can carry a selection of lenses, memory cards, etc. - Crumplers and Sling Bags are good for this and can be taken along in the checked luggage.

Camera Gear:
Digital SLR, with a back up camera on which your lenses will fit.
If not a DSLR, then an advanced point & shoot with Manual & Priority Modes.
Camera Manual (suggest re-reading it before tour).
Extra Batteries.
Camera Battery Charger, and back up if possible.
Memory Cards, plenty!
Remote shutter release for the nighttime shoots or long exposures (or use self-timer mode).
Flash Unit - Adjustable head on-camera flash units will give you more options for fill flash, bouncing light, or using off-camera in Commander or E-TTL modes.

Lenses:
12-24mm, or similar.
24-70 mm, or similar.
70-200 mm, or similar.
50mm 1.4 or 1.8 (just for the fun of it).
1.4 or 2.0 tele-converter.
Lens filters - polarizer & neutral density filters.

The above is a basic lens size set that will be good for most situations, especially if they are f2.8 in the 24 to 200 range. If your lowest stop is 3.5, don't worry. And, larger zooms and macro lenses can be useful also - whatever your style.

Tripod:
Even if you think that you're just a Point & Shoot type, a tripod can really make a difference, and it is a must for many low-light and nighttime shootings. There are many models that are quite light and stiff, and with only one leg extended they can be used as a monopod for when you're in a crowd or have moving subjects.

Computer/Camera Accessories:
Cleaning supplies, lens paper/cloth, Giottos type dust blower.
Portable Flash and batteries/charger.
Back-up device such as an Epson or MemoryKick Photoviewers, or
Laptop Computer.
Card Reader.
Portable back-up drive.

Film:
If you're shooting with film, you need to bring a supply with you. It may not be convenient at all to find a camera store or place that sells the film you need, especially since Tours often leave early and return late. Also consider using a Film Safe bag, like that made by Quantaray.

Your Stuff:
Sometimes it's good to mark your stuff in case others have the same tripod, lens cases, lens hoods, bags, or whatever. We like to use those mail labels companies send you for free... Memory cards can be marked with colored dots or indelible markers.

Security:
Make up an inventory list (and a couple of copies) of your equipment with serial numbers in case they are lost or "borrowed". Groups rarely have this problem, but this also helps with some far away places that might want you to leave with the same stuff your came in with and show that you're not a taxable commercial dealer.