Hiking Trip in Little Rock, AR

[serenine]

Hello,

I recently joined a hiking club just so I can practice my landscape/nature photography. I will be going on a hiking trip this coming Saturday morning. I will carrying my backpack with all my gear including a tripod. We will be hiking at Pinnacle Mountain State Park in Arkansas.

I will not have my Canon 100mm macro lens, light meter or gray card--on it's way next week. I will have my 24-105L f/4 IS on my 30D but if it is dark, I will use the 24-70 f/2.8. Is that correct? I would imagine I will be taking pictures of the flora and fauna. When we get to the horizon or sunset, I will be sure to take those. As far as white balance, I read somewhere not to do so for the sunset as it will take away the warmth.

This will be my first hike with camera gear and my second hike on a mountain. Oddly enough my first hike was also in AR back in '96 when I was attending TAMU.

Does anyone have advice on what I can expect when hiking with camera gear? If I am not mistaken, the hike will be a 4.5 mile loop formed by the West Summit Trail, East Summit trail and the Base Trail--at least that is what is says in the info I got.

P.S. this is my first post. I wonder if it will get me out of the 'lurker' status


-Samantha

[Casper]

This sounds like a lot of fun and it could take all day to do 4.5 miles while taking photos.

I plan on rain and bugs- baggies and bug spray. I take a small ground cloth to lay my camera stuff on and the usual cleaning brush and blower.

I think you will be okay with either lens since you have a tripod. An off camera flash and a reflector/diffuser would be good.

Don't forget to take care of yourself so you feel good and can take good photos, eat and drink before the hike.

Get a few snake shots, too.

Steve

[serenine]

Get a few snake shots, too.

Steve

Umm...will certainly try. Wonder if the IS works with moderate-extreme shaking
Thanks for the tips. Very helpful.

-Samantha

[DJ.]

That is beautiful country. I recently bought a couple of acres at Greer's Ferry Lake, about an hour north of Little Rock. Can't wait to build so I can vacation in my own house.

[east_tx]

was a Camelback (fluid distribution pack). I use it hiking, running, and biking. Enjoy North Arkansas----I am headed to Mena, AR in a couple of weeks for a mountainbike race and to take a pew pics.

[jeffkohn]

Is this a day hike or overnight trip?

For dayhikes I like one of the big camel backs for water/snacks/ec and then a belt system for carrying camera lenses and such. I carry the tripod/camera slung over my shoulder.

For an overnight trip with tent, sleeping bag, and other gear you've got to make some compromises when it comes to camera equipment.

[Steelsun]

I've been to Pinnacle. Not an overly strenuous hike (like you would have in Colorado), so not much of a concern.
Some nice views and interesting plants and wildlife.

If you have some free time in LR, go to the "Old Mill" in N. Little Rock, one of the best photography sites I've ever been to.

[Da5id]

I'm confused as to why you'd need a light meter or grey card for your 30D. I find in outdoor nature situations the light colour rarely changes. For the nice stuff shoot raw, anyway.

When I shoot nature I carry very little. Lightweight tripod for the dark. You're gonna wanna shoot a deep f-stop for landscapes. I'd just leave that 24-105L on your camera. That extra stop and a quarter won't matter when the sun drops THAT much. Especially when you're shooting the f-stop you need to be (unless you're just taking snaps.) And the IS will more than compensate. You should get a real nice wide angle before you go. :) Have fun in Arkansas. Beautiful country!

[serenine]

Brian- Will have to make a visit to "Old Mill". Thanks.


David- gray card and light meter. No, not on this hike since I will be constantly moving and will be shooting RAW--BUT you can never be too prepared, right?


Thanks for all your helpful feedback.

[RandySmith]

Samantha,

Firstly, I hope you're not hiking alone for safety sake, and if someone is accompanying you you might think about purchasing a relatively small piece of white rip-stop nylon (stuff they make parachutes out of) ... so that your hiking companion could hold it as a diffuser for any harsh directional light, and when it's folded up, it will be very lightweight. Just another $0.02 for what it's worth. Every now and then, take down your camera and just enjoy where you are.
Randy

[serenine]

Randy,

Good idea. Thank you. I will be going with a small group and bf will be accompanying me. I am looking forward to taking decent pics as well as the hiking experience.

You guys sound like my family--my TPF family . Thanks so much.