Sonora Pass at Sunset. with filters, on a tripod w/ cable release
The table below is one persons take on what is needed. Each person will find what works for them, and what doesn’t. The list below is designed to stimulate thinking rather than being the end all list.
Item | Priority | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Camera | 1 | |
| All lens | 1 | If you don't have it with you, you will kick yourself when you need it. |
| Tripod | 1 | You can't take low light (sunrise, sunset pics without one |
| Neutral Density Grad filters | 2 | Sunrise & sunset the sky is too bright, too much contrast without them. |
| Camera Cleaning materials | 2 | It will be dusty |
| Spare Battery(s) | 2 | In the cold mornings, you may need that spare battery |
| Spare CF or storage | 2 | If you are going to make the effort, there is nothing worse than running out of 'film' |
| Polarizing Filter(s) for lens. | 2 | Helps for bright colors |
| Cable release | 2 | Needed for low light exposures |
| Camera bag | 3 | It is easier than a duffle or a box. I use a backpack |
| Flash & spare batteries | 3 | There are some places where you need fill light to decrease the contrast |
| Reflectors | 3 | There are some places where you need fill light to decrease the contrast |
| Head lamp or Flashlight | 2 | It is hard to adjust the camera if you can't see it in the dark. |
| Rain cover for camera & lens, or kitchen trash bags | 2 | Usually you don't need it, but when you do, you do. |
| Rain gear for the photographer or large trash bags, including a rain hat. | 3 | You can get wet and cold, it just isn't nice |
| Compact Flash or SD card backup device (e.g. Hyperscan) | 4 | Not required, but it adds an extra margin of safety, and frees up storage |
| Computer to leave in room w/ USB or other connectivity to camera and backup storage | 4 | Not required, but it is useful for noticing dirt and other thing in the pics. |
| Battery charger | 4 | Needed unless only a single day shoot |
| GPS Logger to track where you have been | 5 | This is fun, to geo tag photos with the location that they were taken. |
| Allen wrench(es) | 4 | used to tighten tripod, camera plates |
| Sensor cleaning materials | 4 | Some cameras are magnets for dust, others not, but if you have a magnet, you will need to clean |
| Level for the camera if not built into tripod | 3 | It is annoying to have to straighten photos in LR and loose significant parts of the frame |
| Notebook | 4 | small notebook for making notes to yourself |
| Thin gloves | 3 | In the morning, with a breeze it can be very difficult to do anything. |
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