So you’re all booked in for the trip of a lifetime, and you’re now trying to figure out what to take with you around the world. If you love photographing your adventures, it's worth planning what you’ll need to make the most of your photo opportunities.
To get the best out of your marvellous locations, you’ll want to have the best travel photography kit on hand. Here are our recommendations.
Lightweight camera
Of course, to get the most out of your travel photography, you'd want a DSLR. But DSLRs can be difficult to travel with. They can be heavy to lug around ancient sites or bustling cities. Instead, consider going for something lightweight without sacrificing quality: compact system cameras.
Compact system cameras have many similar features to DSLRs. But they're mirrorless, which makes them much lighter and more compact. New mirrorless technology means you can get a quality camera in a far more compact body.
As a bonus, you can still use a collection of interchangeable lenses just as you can a DSLR for greater creative shots.
You might also consider getting a wearable, active camera, such as a GoPro. These cameras are great for action-packed adventures - you don't have to worry about drowning them or dropping them. And you can enjoy living the moment while your camera takes the shots.
Tripod
World-class cities can be even more beautiful at night, and the stars in the wilderness are incredible. But without a tripod you’re going to find it difficult to capture the spectacular details.
Tripods are for the avid photographer, but they can do wonders to a landscape or night shot. And for that reason, you may be tempted to take one with you.
Thankfully, many tripods today are designed to be small and lightweight, so they won't hold you back on that trip to Iceland during the winter solstice.
Batteries and charger
When you’re on an adventure, you tend to get up earlier and stay up later. You want your camera battery to last as long as you do!
The best way to do that is invest in some extra batteries and maybe portable charger. That way, if you’re travelling somewhere where access to electricity isn’t guaranteed, you've got plenty of backup.
Camera bag
Invest in a good bag that is comfortable enough to carry around all day. You'll want one big enough to fit everything you need for a day trip, but compact enough that you aren’t knocking people over on the train.
Think about getting a bag with lots of compartments to carry all the bits and pieces you think you’ll need for the day. Your bag should suit any destination and weather condition - try to make sure you get something waterproof.
Memory cards, readers and hard drives
There's nothing worse than running out of memory when you've just spotted the lions on your African safari! Make sure you have spare memory cards to swap over when you inevitably run out of space.
Memory cards can hold a good deal of photos, but you still want to be backing up those photos regularly. This makes sure you have copies in case something your memory card is lost or stolen.
The best way to back up your images is to upload them from a memory card onto a rugged portable hard-drive. It can also be worth uploading them to the internet using a service such as Flickr or Google Photos. Not only will you be able to share them, you can rest assured they're safe.
Travel insurance
Your photography gear may be the most expensive things in your luggage. That’s why it’s important to insure it. If you lose your expensive photography kit, you may also lose all your photos. That can be more devastating than the act of returning home! It’s best to err on the safe side and get insurance.
For the best travel photography equipment, be sure to check out our online store or head into your local Camera House shop to get more handy tips from our staff.
