The Ultimate Travel Photography Equipment List

18.02.2011 à 01:03

When travelling I keep my shooting gear in a big water and shock resistant Peli case.

Usually my equipment list will include the following:

• 2 x Leica (M6, M9-P)
• 1 x Canon G12
• 5 x batteries for G12 and M9
• 2 x charging units for G12 and M9
• external light meter
• audio recorder
• gps navigator
• folding stereo headphones
• mini screwdriver set
• knife
• 2 x multi-tool Swiss army knives (large with wire cutters, small w/scissors)
• 2 x mobile phones (quad band)
• lots of film + memory cards

Then there the non-photographic stuff to consider as well:

• notebooks
• passports x2
• sim cards -af, pak, india, thuraya,usa
• 2 x mini waterproof cases - credit cards, cigarettes (I don't smoke, but they are a highly useful bribe at checkpoints), etc.
• zip lock bag - currency - af, pak, indian, euro, pounds sterling, dollars canadian, USD, UAE dirhams
• IDs - press cards, military embed badges, etc
• medical pack + personal hygiene
• more batteries - AAA, AA, 123
• power strip/surge protector - universal/multi port for regional power plugs
• steel cable/TSA locks X5
• AC/DC car power transformer - cigarette port to US power socket.
• box of electronic shit - chargers, adaptors, usb cables, etc.
• zip ties, zip lock bags, packing tape, contractor grade heavy duty garbage bags
• protective cases with camera memory cards
• laptop (Lenovo T410s has long battery life and is indestructible)
• mini-pelican case with 3x 500GB external hard drives
• 2x headlamps w/red gel
• body armour (level 4 stand-alone rifle plates, carrier harness + kevlar helmet)
• boots, trainers, local sandals
• ultra light sleeping bag + bivy sack + all purpose dhoti/sheet
• waterproof river-rafting bag
• survival blanket/camping tarpaulin
• compression straps, rope/cable
• clothing - western + local

All this fits into a sensibly sized backpack and I never go on assignment without it. It's quite surprising how easy it is to suddenly find yourself in a hostile environment, cut off from the outside world, where the only realistic and sensible option is to stick close to the locals and simply carry on going forwards.