The Worst Mistake a Travel Photographer Can Make

[fractal]

A Post By: Etienne Bossot

As a travel photographer and photography teacher, I meet a lot of photographers on a daily basis. Whether they’re amateur or pro, newbie or experienced, first-timers or old-timers, they often have one thing in common: too much gear.

The pro shooters who join me on my photography tours in Southeast Asia tend to look more like pack mules than people: they’re loaded with lenses, lights, filters, and a veritable menagerie of photographic accoutrement – you know, the kind of gear that makes you look like you know what you’re doing.

rest of article...

http://digital-photography-school.com/the-worst-mistake-a-travel-photographer-can-make/

 

[Grumpy-Fan]

Makes sense.

 

[whoiscliffwang]

Guilty as charged. lol.

 

[popsicletrees]

I am only going to take one lens with me on my trip to Japan next month. It's my best one, but I don't want to spend the time to worry about changing out equipment for a better shot or the energy to lug all of that stuff around all day long.

 

[ddbowdoin]

Disneyland with a single body (D7000) and one lens (50 1.8D) was amazing... normally I lug all of my film gear with me and select a format the morning I am getting ready. So I bring a 35mm rig, MF, and sometimes 4x5 (I used to have this amazing Polaroid 110A that was converted to a handholdable 4x5!). I would only bring one system in with me though... does that count? lol

 

[sporadic]

Disneyland with a single body (D7000) and one lens (50 1.8D) was amazing... normally I lug all of my film gear with me and select a format the morning I am getting ready. So I bring a 35mm rig, MF, and sometimes 4x5 (I used to have this amazing Polaroid 110A that was converted to a handholdable 4x5!). I would only bring one system in with me though... does that count? lol

You didn't find the 50mm too long as a lone prime on a crop? I'm trying to lessen the load this year and go with a single prime on my 7D. Looking at the 24, 28, and 30mm range. Don't really want to lug the 17-55 2.8 around for 5 days again. My sling strap helps, but neck issues still get to me. Maybe a Sigma 30 1.4 if I can get a good copy. The 40mm pancake would win hands down in weight / size, but afraid it'd be too long. Not wanting to hijack the thread, but seems to fit the lines of "traveling light".

 

[ddbowdoin]

You didn't find the 50mm too long as a lone prime on a crop? I'm trying to lessen the load this year and go with a single prime on my 7D. Looking at the 24, 28, and 30mm range. Don't really want to lug the 17-55 2.8 around for 5 days again. My sling strap helps, but neck issues still get to me. Maybe a Sigma 30 1.4 if I can get a good copy. The 40mm pancake would win hands down in weight / size, but afraid it'd be too long. Not wanting to hijack the thread, but seems to fit the lines of "traveling light".

take a look... it is restricting but that is where your skill comes through.

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...ousand-posts-disneyland-in-monochrome.880811/

 

[thomas998]

Makes sense.

Makes sense if you know what lens to bring. If you read his article he is talking about people he sees that join him in a tour of asia... I doubt the people he has with him on the tour know what to expect, assuming they are there for the first time wouldn't it be more sensible to bring more than you need than need what you left at home? A bit like going to WDW, if you have never been what lens would you want? Most likely you would take more than one just to be safe... whereas if you were someone that had been all the time you would be more likely to just take what you knew you were going to use.

 

[fractal]

This is the part of the article that struck a cord with me;

"I think of gear like a crutch. Instead of improving your skills, you become a slave to the latest and greatest gadget, thinking it will improve your craft. The thing about gear is that it takes years, even decades, to learn how to use a single piece of equipment masterfully. After 20 years of shooting with a certain lens, your brain begins to think in terms of its focal length. You effectively merge with the lens, become it."

On my last trip to WDW I brought a fisheye, 50mm 1.8, 19mm 2.8, 18-200mm, for my NEX-7. I also brought my NEX-3 as a back up with the kit lens. My hotel room was my "base camp". I made an effort on several days ( or big blocks of time ) to just bring one lens. (I owe that to @ddbowdoin who inspired me through a trip report he report before me trip.) One evening I just brought my 50mm to Magic Kingdom. One morning I just took my fisheye to Animal Kingdom. On another day I just had my 50mm at AK and found myself in KS regretting not bringing my zoom. However, I started taking shots with that lens and I came out of it with some of my favorite images.

Having just one lens with you (especially a fixed lens) will make you think different about your photography. Instead of trying to figure out which would be the best lens for each "moment" you start to see things through that focal length. I haven't "merged" with any of my lenses but I have found myself constantly gravitating to the 50mm 1.8. I also find that most of my favorite shots come from that lens. After our trip I purchased a 35mm 1.8 and used it extensively when I first got it - but now it mostly sits in my bag - may sell it.

I think the point of committing to one lens is just as, if not more important than "don't carry too much gear".

 

[maxairmike]

Meh...I pretty much always carry one body (I love that I now have 2 to use if I so desire) and 4 lenses; kit 18-70, 75-300 (mostly for DAK), 8mm fish, and an old Pentax 50mm 2.0 that I have on an adapter. It all fits in a nice medium-sized bag that I can take on anything, even Rockin' Roller Coaster along with filters, etc. It can be a little heavy, but the biggest weight is the 75-300, so I sometimes leave it out when I'm not going to DAK. That probably qualifies me as carrying too much stuff, but with how I "work," it just works best for me.

I've played with the one lens only thing a few times, but I just don't think like that, I'm much more loose and unpredictable. The only time I really plan out what I'm going to use is when I'm shooting fireworks, a parade, or sports.

 

[sporadic]

take a look... it is restricting but that is where your skill comes through.

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...ousand-posts-disneyland-in-monochrome.880811/

Very nice captures! The more I think about it however, I doubt I'll be able to get by with one prime. Guess I should have stated my intent better. We're a family of four and my focus is on the kids on their experiences. Meet and greets, character dining, rides (not necessarily dark), typical Disney with kids stuff. Think I'll end up down-grading to a ligther zoom or picking up something like a G16. I typically have more gear in the room but we're an all-day family once we hit a park. Didn't mean to hijack the thread, I may open a new up on options. Thanks!

 

[hippymeow]

This! I've started to just take along my camera and one lens, especially to disney parks. I dont want to be lugging around a big heavy bag while at play, yet I still want to get some lovely shots! I took a load of equipment in summer 2013, but then again I was there for 3 months so had lots of time to just spend a day taking photographs :')
I've never taken my 50mm prime with me, but reading this thread it sounds like alot of you love to use it. I shall have to take it with me next trip!

 

[Dragion]

I just got back from my first visit to WDW and majority of my shots were with the A6000 & 18-105mm...pretty much covered all ranges. It was even enough reach for Animal Kingdom.
First 2 days I brought along my camera bag with all 3 lenses, but the rest of the vacation it was only the camera & 18-105mm..."K.I.S.S."

This visit was planned to have fun with the family and capture memories...not to make the photos a primary concern.

Here is my Flickr album
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dragion/sets/72157646747485150/

As always, feedback is welcome!