Carrying equipment for every eventuality is also counter-intuitive and you should avoid your experience outdoors being overshadowed by the weight of your bag – at the end of the day you are here to enjoy and not endure.
Cameras – Camera equipment is very much a personal choice and is dependant on individual preference, budget and experience. Whetheryou shoot with a 35mm DSLR or a mirror-less system is unimportant. What is important however is that you are familiar with your camera’s layout and menu structure and understand the differences between the shooting modes.
Camera bag – bring a camera bag that allows you to comfortably carry your equipment over rugged terrain. Backpacksdistribute the weight between your shoulders and hips making walking much easier than a bag with a shoulder strap and are normally protected against wind and rain.
Tripod – the ideal tripod needs to be light enough to carry but heavy enough to perform in winds. A tripod is essential for landscape photographyallowing camera settings to be used that would otherwise be impossible. A wide range of models are available from Manfrotto and Gitzo and for more advanced photographers, carbon fibre tripods offer a lighter weight solution but essentially do the same job as those made from aluminium.
Remote release– an indispensible accessory, which eradicatesvibrations when the camera is mounted on a tripod.
Lenses – again, lenses are dependant on personal choice, budget and also the subjects pursued by each photographer. For travel photography an excellent solution is to have two zoom lenses such as a 24-70mm and a 70-200mm. With two lenses, a range of 24-200mm can be covered, which will account for 95% of your images. If you are interested in more intimate landscapes, a 100mm Macro lens opens up a wider range of possibilities.
Backup and storage – ensure that you have adequate memory cards and a means of backing up your work, either on a laptop, iPad or supplementary storage drive. Bringing your own laptop will allow you to see what you have shot each day and will facilitate critique sessions.
Spare batteries – batteries can be re-charged daily if necessary, however it makes sense to bring a spare battery to maximise your opportunities of taking photographs.
Lens cloth – a lens cloth is useful for removing rain or sea spray if it finds its way onto a lens.