"G&T" Time- Gear and Tips for Photographing The National Parks of America
Cheers! Time for a little G&T!
As I discussed in my introduction blog, I wanted these entries to focus mainly on specific gear and tips that are important for when you are photographing in a National Park. I pondered a lot on what piece of gear should be discussed in the first “G&T” entry. The camera would make sense since this is a blog about photography. What lenses to bring and why would also be a good topic. Tools and emergency supplies are a very important subject as well. The more I debated, the more I realized that there are a lot of important pieces of gear that we are going to discuss in future G&T posts. The list is huge! But the item that I have decided to talk about, is the one piece of gear that carries them all. The backpack.
Can’t wait to take some pictures…
Camera bag, backpack, rucksack… Whatever name you want to call it, it may be the most important piece of gear you buy when you decide you are going to photograph the national parks. I remember when I first started taking pictures. I had my Minolta Maxxum 3xi and 2 lenses. I was a teenager, so I could not afford a lot of gear. The small bag that came with the camera kit did its job. But there was barely enough room to carry the body, lenses and the numerous amounts of film. I really had to squeeze it in there. Fast Forward to 2012. My wife knew that I loved photography and I really wanted to get back into it. She bought me a nice Canon Rebel T3i as a wedding gift. My wife and I both love to travel and explore. So we start to take trips. I realized that the kit camera bag was not cutting it. It was a bulky shoulder bag. Although it held most of my gear, it was a pain to take on hikes. I needed something better and easier to travel with. So I started to do some research. This is where the mission begins.
The search for the “perfect” backpack. It is one of those missions that you will never complete. No matter how good your bag is, there will always be something that can make it better. I currently have a bag that I love and I will share which one it is at the end of this blog. The reason why I chose this piece of gear as the most important is because it can make or break your experience. It can make your trip enjoyable, or it can make it hell. There are many things to consider when buying your backpack.
First, and most important, is the fit and comfort of the bag. I am a pretty big guy, so things tend to fit me differently compared to the average size person. Most backpacks are made to fit the average Joe. So finding that perfect, comfortable backpack is a challenge. But do not rush it. You can buy a bag that looks pretty and fits everything, but when you are passing mile 5 on your hike and your back and/or shoulders are killing you, the look of the bag will not mean a thing. So when you are shopping for your bag, try them on. Weigh them down with items. Make sure it fits you and your body just right. The shoulder straps should wrap comfortably around your shoulders, without pinching or digging under your armpits, and the hip-belt (usually just a length of webbing) should snug the bottom of the pack against your lumbar region to eliminate sway or thumping as you walk. After you make the purchase, keep the tags on. Load your gear in, or something else that gives it weight. Take a nice walk. Go up and down steps. Really test this bag out before you take it out for a long hike where it can get dirty or damaged and you are unable to return it. Good camera backpacks can be pricey, but they are worth every penny.
Check out this video from REI on how to choose a backpack. It is not specific to photography, but it has some valuable information.
What can it hold?
Will my equipment fit? Does it have a place for everything? This is the next thing to consider. Much like the fit of a bag is unique to the photographer and their body style, the specific needs of the bag are also unique. Some photographers that visit the parks are strictly landscape photographers. These photographers will usually carry 3-4 wide angle and prime lenses, multiple filters and a very sturdy tripod. You also have nature and wildlife photographers. Their lenses are usually bigger and take up more room. They may carry a tripod with a gimbal head and/or a mono-pod. These animal lovers may also have the need to carry binoculars and possibly camouflage blinds so the animals will not notice them. Then there are the hybrids, like myself. I love taking landscape pictures as much as I love taking pictures of wildlife. So inside or my backpack I may be carrying all of the above listed items. So when you are searching for the right bag, think about your specific needs. Try to visualize how you will set up your bag so it is convenient for you. Think about all of the items you want to take with you. Some manufacturers have removable compartments. This makes it convenient when packing your bag. Just secure the compartments inside your bag and go.
Is it tough?
The final thing I want to talk about is durability. You are going to a national park. You will most likely be going on hikes away from the comfort of your car. The last thing you want is for your bag to break while you are a few miles away from your car or campsite. Your bag needs to be durable. Read reviews, watch youtube videos, really inspect the bag. DO YOUR RESEARCH. There is a ton of information out there. Like I said before, a good backpack is not going to be cheap.You get what you pay for. So you want it to last. You also want to make sure your equipment is secure and protected. Make sure the material is strong and it has good zippers. Make sure it has a rain-cover. Weather in national parks can be very unpredictable, so a rain-cover is very important. Some brands even have them built in so you never leave home without it. Are your shoulder straps strong enough to carry the weight of your gear? Once again, think about what you will be doing with the bag. If you are a roadside shooter, you may not need a bag that can handle the extremes.
My Shimoda
So what backpack am I using right now? It is one that I am probably going to have for a long time. I am using the Shimoda Explore 40. The color is called Blue Nights. This bag is awesome. I will break down why I love this bag by discussing how it measures up in the 3 items I told you to consider when purchasing a bag. Comfort. Like I said before, I am a big guy. Finding a bag that fits well is not easy. My shoulders are wide, my torso is long, and I have a beer belly that I earned. This bag fits perfectly. You can adjust it for your height. The waist and chest belts fit well. If you need a little extra reach on the waist belt, an extender is available. The Shimoda fits great, but how does it feel after hiking a long distance? Last year my wife and I visited Alaska. While in Kenai Fjords National Park we hiked The Harding Icefield Trail . 8.2 miles round trip where you gain over 1000 feet with every mile you hike. After the hike my body was tired. That was to be expected. But my back and shoulders were fine. The bag was SUPER comfortable the entire hike. Little to no movement. No pressure points on my back or shoulders. It felt like an extension of my body. My bag was loaded down. Between all of my camera gear, plus a large supply of water, it weighed a lot. I was shocked at how great I felt after. Yes I was exhausted. But I was not hurting.
So, is this the “perfect” bag? No. There are some things I wish were different. Is it close to perfect? Absolutely! Would I recommend it? Yes! But remember what I said. This bag is great for me, but may not meet your needs, or fit you the way it fits me. So try it out. I am adding a link at the bottom of this page to the Shimoda website and their facebook page. If you have questions, the people at Shimoda are quick with a response.
Here is the link to check out the backpack that I use and love. Shimoda Explore 40
I hope you enjoyed the first entry in my “G&T” blogs.
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Next month we will be visiting another National Park in the “Your Park Entrance” series.