Photography Trip Gear suggestions...

[blue-october-fan]

I will be attending this trip:

Wilderness Adventure Photography : ATS Girl Scout Destinations

this summer and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on gear/bags/etc that would be a good idea to get for X-mas or my 16th birthday... I've never been to California and I've never been on an overnight photo trip, so I'm new to this... suggestions??

thanks in advance,
Lauryn

[auddii]

Something wide would be good. There will likely be lots of sweeping vistas that y'all will see. Also, a lot of it will depend on what you like to shoot. I'd love to take a macro on that trip, but I tend to shoot the tiny details anyways. If you're interested in the birds or if you see an occasional bear that's a fair distance away, you'll want some distance (at least 200mm).

Unfortunately, a wide array of lenses is heavy and expensive. I'm not sure what you budget is, but a super telephoto zoom can be useful. I have an 18-270 Tamron that I love. However, it has all the drawbacks of a super tele: slow to focus, doesn't have low aperture settings (3.6-6.5 is the lowest depending on the length), and isn't always super crisp.

You need to decide what's a priority to you, what the budget is, and what you think you will use the most. And don't forget you'll either need to buy a bag to cart it all around, or if you already have a bag, it will need to fit in what you have.

[groovyone]

For me, being primarily a landscape fan, I go with an Ultra-wide. I would take a look at the Tokina 11-18mm f/2.8, although I don't know what gear you already have.

[princer7]

Not sure if this is still correct...from your profile:

Nikon D3000
18-55 mm
55-200 mm

Will there be a lot of hiking to locations or will most of the stops be close to the vehicle? Are you responsible for your bedding or will they be providing the tents and sleeping bags?

[mjoe972]

My first thoughts regarding a bag would be look for something that comes with a water proof rain cover. I've been on a photo hike and did get caught in isolated thunderstorm, it was nice to be able to pull my raincover out and cover my pack and keep going. Others in my group scrambled to pull out whatever they had to protect thier camera bags/backpacks.

As Jennifer asked above, will you be hiking and are you responsible for carrying camping gear? Depending on if you will be "car hiking" or truly backpacking/hiking, gear weight and accessories will play a huge role. If you will be near your car/bus and not needing to carry everything on your back, weight is not a critical factor and a larger "carry it all" bag with a small bag for away from the bus would work. If you will be hiking any distance, think about weight and size. A "carry it all bag" with an aluminum tripod + camping gear + camera and lenses + food and water can become very heavy after a long day hiking.

[blue-october-fan]

I have not gotten all of the details on the trip yet, but a majority of the trip will be hiking, etc so I need a backpack-style bag with good padding. I am definitely going to get something with extra rain protection. I do not think we will be responsible for carrying the other stuff with us; I've heard from others that another vehicle with our bags and tents, etc will meet us at the camp sites... not sure if that's true for this specific trip... still receiving info... My budget, since San Jacinto Council, and my parents are paying for the trip for my 16th bday, I am trying to stay under $500 if possible for the bag and lenses that I want, which I know is not a lot, but my parents wont let me get a job till Im 17, so I'm relying mainly on allowance and bday/xmas money...

and princer7, that is my only current gear, which is why I'm trying to obtain some more lenses, etc...

I definitely want a macro lens and a wider lens, so those are both at the top of my list...

I was thinking for a bag, the Think Tank Streetwalker (either regular or Hard Drive, depending...) b/c it has plenty of room, it's the backpack style, it has good padding, and comes with a rain cover and a place to hold my tripod. Luckily, I don't have to carry food with me, b/c the people leading the trip supplies it at the camps, so... So, yeah... anyone know if it will fit most overhead bins on airplanes cuz I have to fly to Cali... :/ ugh...

very long post, the girl sitting next to me in the journalism room just looked at me like I was crazy for typing this much... so yeah. Thanks for all of the help!

[Richard_B]

Lauryn,

I would consider getting a (circular) polarizing filter to deal with glare that can be a problem with foliage and such when shooting outdoors. It can also help with getting wonderful saturated images. Be careful about the sky though as a wide angle can pick up changes that give a different result across the image.

You might also want a neutral density filter so that you can slow down your shutter speed if you are wanting to take pictures that include moving water and you want that blurred look of the water.

You might also look into some close focus filters (lenses that screw into the front of your lens). They can give you nice close ups and are also light and compact to carry. They are not a true Macro solution, but are something to consider, especially if a macro lens takes up too much of your budget.

You apparently have a tripod. Definitely take it with you. If your tripod does not have a level on it, look around for a small bubble type level with some adhesive on it to stick it on the tripod. They don't cost too much. I have been told by both the TSA and SW Airlines that it is OK to take them onboard. They just need to fit in the overhead bin (along with your carry on bag).

Do you have access to Photoshop Elements or a similar image processing application? If so, you can make some interesting panoramic images by "stitching" together multiple images. If you want to try that, practice doing it before the trip so that you will be comfortable with it when the time comes.

Speaking of bags...take some Zip Lock bags along so that you can put your lenses and etc in them for additional protection against water.

Space depends upon which aircraft you are flying. Check with the airline you intend to fly with and see what restrictions there may be. The so-called "regional jets" have smaller spaces than the Boeing 737s or Airbus 320s that many airlines operate. I am guessing you will be on a reasonable sized aircraft if traveling from Houston to California. (You might want to go to the Southwest Airlines web site and sign up for their email flyers about their specials. If the timing is right for your trip you might save a little money that way with them (or any other airline)).

I have flown on Southwest Airlines and they gave me the exact dimensions of the under seat storage (the middle seat has a little bit more space than the other two) so you can bring your carry on bag to go overhead and a second "personal items" bag that fits under the seat.

Make sure you have plenty of memory cards for your camera. Will you or someone else have a laptop to download your images to and/or burn to a DVD to free up your cards for more shooting? If so take some blank DVDs along.

Have a wonderful trip!

Richard

[blue-october-fan]

Thanks very much for the reply, Richard.

Yes, I'm definitely going to look into some filters. When I was just starting out with photography, I went to Niagra Falls with my family and was wondering why all my pictures were WAAAAY overexposed :D haha...

Yes, my tripod has a level (thank god- it's helped a lot!)

I have Photoshop Lightroom 3, but not Elements...

I will probably be flying southwest or delta (my dad racks up a lot of frequent flyer miles for those on business trips!) so I will check the demensions of both of those and the bag I want...

I am also definitely going to obtain some more memory cards- I have a 16 gb, an 8 gb, a 4 gb, and a 2 gb, but seeing as it is a week-long trip centered I'm going to have to see if that's enough for me

thanks again!!

[Richard_B]

Originally Posted by blue-october-fan

Thanks very much for the reply, Richard.

Yes, I'm definitely going to look into some filters. When I was just starting out with photography, I went to Niagra Falls with my family and was wondering why all my pictures were WAAAAY overexposed :D haha...

Yes, my tripod has a level (thank god- it's helped a lot!)

I have Photoshop Lightroom 3, but not Elements...

I will probably be flying southwest or delta (my dad racks up a lot of frequent flyer miles for those on business trips!) so I will check the demensions of both of those and the bag I want...

I am also definitely going to obtain some more memory cards- I have a 16 gb, an 8 gb, a 4 gb, and a 2 gb, but seeing as it is a week-long trip centered I'm going to have to see if that's enough for me

thanks again!!

You are most welcome!

Lightroom 3 is great. More and more people are spending more time in it and less in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. Photoshop Elements can do most of what Photoshop CS can do and at a much more attractive price. Check with your school and see if they have a setup with Adobe for educational pricing and, if not, take a look at the Adobe website. I think they have the requirements set out for educational pricing, but I don't recall if they include high school or not. (You might even see if your school offers a class in Lightroom or Photoshop.) I noticed that you were using the computer at school, apparently in the journalism area. Working with the yearbook or school newspaper can be a fun way to hone your photographic skills, but be aware that photojournalism as it has existed in the past is rapidly changing.

Take plenty of sun screen on your trip, too. (A long sleeve shirt with roll up sleeves would not be a bad idea either.)

Have fun,

Richard

[blue-october-fan]

Thanks a lot!
Yeah, I got Lightroom 3 on the educational price ($90 at Frye's!!)...

[Richard_B]

Fry's is a great store, especially the one near NASA with all the space themed displays. I wish they would open one in San Antonio.

[Snarfy]

My biggest suggestion would be to only carry what you need. Weighing yourself down with a bunch of unfamiliar gear will be cumbersome to you and obstructive to your photography.

[blue-october-fan]

Okay thanks for the tips Chris! Yeah, I don't have much gear right now, obviously, cuz im living off of allowance and birthday $, so I just need to make sure that I'm not trying to aquire more lenses than I can handle... I won't be carrying another body (cuz i dont have one) so that won't be a problem...