Travel photography is a hobby that’s growing in popularity both in India and all over the world. Professional and amateur photographers alike are constantly on the lookout for that perfect shot to upload to a blog, submit to a publication or simply post on their social media pages.
It’s important to know what to take along with you before you set off on your travels. While it can be tempting to pack a massive suitcase and bring half your belongings, this is extremely impractical, especially if you expect to be moving from place to place regularly. In this article, we’ll go over what to pack in your travel photography kit so that you have everything you need while still travelling light.
A Lightweight Laptop or Tablet
Travel photography isn’t just about snapping the best pictures. Before sharing your photos with the world, you’ll first need to edit them, and if you want to do this on the go, bringing a laptop or a tablet is essential. These devices let you perform tasks like removing spots from your photos using Photoshop online, cropping pictures and creating seamless collages. You can also use a computer or tablet to upload your work online or save it on the cloud for future use.
When picking a laptop or tablet, you should aim for a model that’s both powerful and lightweight. It’s important to have a device that’s capable of running photo editing programs like Photoshop. However, you should also choose models that offer a sleek, portable design. Luckily, there are many options that combine both these necessities, including the iPad Air and Lenovo’s range of Chromebooks.
It’s also important to limit the number of accessories you take along for your device. While it’s important to have a protective sleeve when travelling, you can forgo items like mice and portable keyboards. Making do with less, where possible, lightens your load and makes travelling with a camera in hand a much more enjoyable experience.
Camera Accessories
In order to take the perfect shot, you need to supplement your camera with certain accessories. While different camera models require different sets of tools, there are some accessories that you’ll need to bring with you all the time, including a protective case, replacement lenses and tripods. You should also bring a USB cable in order to upload photos to your laptop.
Always remember that the accessories you take with you should depend on the places you’re visiting. For instance, if you’re planning a photography trip to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, it would be a good idea to bring waterproof housing for your camera for when you go snorkelling. On the other hand, if you’re heading to a desert, you should bring a lens cleaning kit and dust-proof covers. Packing for a photography trip is all about striking a balance between being prepared and avoiding overpacking, so make sure to figure out precisely which accessories you need for a particular trip and which ones can be left at home.
Battery Chargers
When travelling for photography, the last thing you want to happen is to run out of battery and find yourself without a charger. Make sure to bring chargers for both your cameras and your laptop/tablet. We recommend keeping them in your carry-on luggage for easy access. If your camera is battery-operated, take some spare batteries along with you in case it runs out of power.
If you’re visiting a country that uses a different type of socket from your country of origin, you should also bring an adapter along with you. While you can buy these at the airport, they’re typically more expensive than in local shops. If you plan to be on the move for most of your trip, bringing a power bank for your phone is a good idea in case of an emergency. Your phone can act as a spare camera and allow you to edit photos if your camera and computer are out of battery.
Your Trusty Camera
It goes without saying that you’ll need a camera in order to take high-quality pictures. While it’s possible to make do with a mobile phone, cameras still offer a level of quality and customisability to your photos that is beyond what phones can give you at this point in time.
If you want to take quality photos as you visit the best travel destinations in the world without having to lug a heavy suitcase everywhere you go, you need to choose a camera that’s both lightweight and reliable. Thankfully, there are many such options on the market. We also recommend bringing a spare camera in case your main one is damaged or lost. Make sure to allocate some space in your suitcase for cameras. After all, the main purpose of your travels is to take pictures.
Comfortable Clothing
Aside from the camera and photography essentials, you’ll need all the clothing items that you would typically pack on a holiday. However, consider keeping things as light as possible. You might not need all those extra going-out outfits if you’re on a photography pilgrimage. It’s wise to pack for a more active trip, as it’s likely some of the sights you’ll want to capture will require a hike to reach.
Instead, think of how many shirts, pants, underwear and socks you will absolutely need, and leave the rest of the suitcase. Any space you save is more you can use on your photography gear. Here, lightweight essentials like weatherproof anoraks and fleece base layers can help keep you cosy while still making sure you travel light.
And as for footwear, lightweight but with great traction is an absolute must – especially if you’re planning to snap some shots across a variety of terrain and in a range of weather conditions.
Packing Up
When travelling for photography, it’s important to pack light, whether you’re travelling in India or in another country. You can expect to constantly be on the move, so you need your bags to be easy to carry. However, it’s equally crucial to have a full set of equipment if you’re looking to capture and edit photos while on the go.
Today, we’ve covered everything you need to bring to a travel photography trip. Make use of the list we’ve given you the next time you find yourself preparing for a trip abroad to keep your suitcase light while still ensuring that you’re not lacking any necessary equipment.
