I carry around all sorts of non-camera or photography specific equipment when I go out on a shoot. There’s allsorts of stuff lying around our homes that can be useful to ensure that you are well prepared or have whatever tool, gadget or random bit of stuff on hand when you need it. Here are some of my ideas…
- Cloths / towel(s) – depending on the weather you might get a little (or a lot) wet. But that’s ok, your camera gear is much more important. Keep it dry at all costs! Also, a good supply of lens cloths coz we hate that dust (and smears!)
- Extra batteries – make sure all your camera, drone, phone and tablets are all fully charged before you leave home; sounds obvious right! Easily overlooked, believe me! I’ve done it. Take spare batteries for torches, flash units – whatever needs them.
- Battery pack – I have a rechargeable battery pack that I take just as a back up as I’ve known my phone to rapidly lose charge sometimes and it can be used to top up most devices with the right cable; which brings me to the next item…
- Charging cables – no good having a battery pack and a flat device without the right cable to join them together is it?
- Memory cards – take plenty! Don’t run out.
- Notebook / pens – taking notes while out is something that I’ve got into a good habit with; locations, image settings, random thoughts, etc. It all goes into the book for future reference
- Head torch – you always need both hands, right? A head torch for low light / night shoots allows you to see well without having to juggle (and potentially drop) your expensive gear
- Screwdriver – my tripod has a clamp that screws into the bottom of the camera and is held into the top of the tripod which needs one of these. Also, you just never know
- String / grips / clips – very useful for holding twigs and small branches out of the way when shooting flora and fauna; cliping stuff to your tripod to avoid a wet floor
- Snacks / drinks – those long walks need energy! It can be a long way till the next brew!