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From the new book, National Geographic Complete Photography, an extensive photo reference guide packed with tips, how-tos, galleries, and stories from Nat Geo’s top photographers including Annie Griffiths, Steve McCurry, Frans Lanting, and Jodi Cobb. Get your copy now.
Packing to Take Pictures
Before you embark on your next journey, think about what equipment is essential to get the kind of photos you want to shoot and how much extra weight you can handle. While compact point-and-shoot cameras mean you need no additional camera equipment, you won’t have the control you would with a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) and several lenses, and often the pictures won’t be as good.
Most professional photographers travel with at least two DSLRs, usually identical models that take the same lenses. Professionals generally mix and match zoom lenses with fixed-focal-length lenses, depending on what they’re planning to shoot. Filters, flash units, memory cards, and cables fill out the camera bag.
Tip: Bring a few filters. The basics include ultraviolet filters to protect the lens, polarizing filters that cut glare and haze, and graduated density filters to balance the range of darks and lights.
Tip: One or two zoom lenses, with a coordinated combination of focal lengths, are a practical alternative to numerous fixed-focal-length lenses.
Tip: Bring at least one backup for every replaceable part, such as batteries and memory cards.
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Tell us: What piece of photo equipment do you never leave home without?
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