Traveling and photography are inseparable. Traveling is a way to grow as a photographer. And if you own a DSLR, you mostly likely want it to be your companion throughout your journey. But due to its larger size and the more fragile lenses attached to it, storing DSLRs require more care than the average point-and-shoot pocket cameras. The last thing you want is a damaged, or worse yet, missing photography equipment. Here are some tips to avoid such worst-case-scenarios:
1.Before packing, disassemble your DSLR. This means detaching any lenses and storing them separately.
2.Safely pack your camera and additional equipment by using sufficient storage bags. The safest bet is to use a designated camera bag. Or, you can also use a regular bag stuffed with padded camera sleeves. As a last resort, if you don’t have any of those things, you can line and wrap your gear in clothes you’re packing along. The key is sufficient padding.
3.Pack light. Unless you’re a professional on a photojournalistic job, you won’t need all those different lenses. Take an all-around lens such as the 18-200 mm and maybe one prime lens such as the 50mm. This way, it’s easier to pack and your neck and shoulder will thank you. Also, you won’t have to take chances leaving gear in your hotel room because it’ll be light enough to carry everywhere you go.
4.Ditch further extra weight by leaving your tripod and flash at home. They’ll be quite a hassle to carry around. When encountered with low lighting conditions, just crank up the ISO. If noise appears, switch to BW Settings for a great grainy feel.
5.Pack your DSLR in your carry-on bag. When traveling by plane, it’s best to not check any of your camera gear and have a chance of it going missing. Carry it on you and remove any chances of theft or damage.
By following these simple tips, your journey will be more enjoyable and you’ll still be able to capture those momentous images without unnecessary hassle.
