There’s beauty and wonder all around us, and you love capturing those moments with a camera. Occasionally, your artistic spirit takes you off the beaten path to experience nature’s wild beauty. To get the best shot, you need the right camera equipment.
Going beyond a standard camera and lens, equipment like a camera bag, laptop, and protective pouch elevates your shots and photography skills to new levels. Even if you already have some tools included on this list, you may not know which to bring on an off-the-grid photo shoot. Learn what to pack or leave behind to get the best shots while exploring nature’s photogenic side.
Laptop
Bring a laptop to back up and preserve images and video. Aside from giving you peace of mind, laptops also let you access post-processing software. Rather than wait until you return to civilization, you can touch-up images during your trip. You can also share pictures while traveling with an LTE antenna or a Cradlepoint router.
Bring a laptop that renders the colors captured in shots accurately. If not, your edits won’t bring out the best in your work. If you have a computer monitor that you want to wait and use until you get back, you can use your laptop to download images from your camera’s memory card. That way, you don’t need to worry about losing great shots.
Protective Bags and Pouches
Even if you have a small camera that fits comfortably in your pocket, you must protect it from the rigors of the outdoors. From accidental drops on rocky surfaces to raging winds, your equipment can take a serious beating out in the wild.
A simple camera pouch or bag offers premium protection, but check that it’s designed for outdoor use. Also, think about your mode of transportation while choosing gear. For example, if you want to ride your motorcycle to a destination, a pouch or bag with thick padding serves you well. A simple hike or trek may only require a basic pouch or bag.
Consider what camera accessories you want to take when selecting protective gear. Spare batteries, a battery charger, a remote shutter release, and storage cards are a few items you could have on your list. Let your shooting schedule dictate whether you separate and pack accessories with the rest of your luggage or in a single bag.
Backpacks, Shoulder Bags, and Hard Cases
Bags and pouches may not protect camera equipment in remote locations. Maybe you want to venture into the heart of an icy wonderland or rainforest to capture never-before-seen vistas, wildlife, or plants. If so, a backpack or shoulder bag serves you and your tools better.
This is another situation where your mode of travel determines which item you bring. Hiking or trekking to the site calls for a backpack, while shoulder bags are well-suited for drives. As for how much protection your pack or bag should have, consider what you expect to encounter in the wilderness.
If you want maximum protection and peace of mind, bring a hard case for your equipment. Cases are best for traveling by vehicle, as they can be cumbersome to carry long distances. Hard containers also offer unmatched shock and impact protection, and you don’t have to worry about water infiltrating them.
Remember these tips while packing for your off-grid photo shoot. Just as the right cooking ingredients bring out the best in a dish, the right camera equipment turns a great shot into a breathtaking image.
