Whenever I pack my camera bag at the last minute for a shoot, I inevitably forget something. Whether that's a specific lens or sometimes even batteries or a memory card, it's always best to prepare. This video from Canadian photographer Justin Laurens shows you how to do just that.
In this video, Laurens takes us on a deep dive on the essentials from his camera kit, starting with his two main camera bags, camera body, and lenses (an interesting trio of Sigma/Sony lenses: the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Lens, the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens for wide angles, and the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens).
But there's a lot more to a shoot than just lenses and cameras, and to make the most of these lenses, especially in daylight, you'll need some of the filters that Laurens recommends in the video. After all, what's the point of paying for that f/1.4 aperture if it's too bright outside to use it?
Filters are also great for other reasons. For myself, I love to use ND filters to drag the shutter, as I did in this 43-second exposure of the Montauk Point Lighthouse in New York:
You can see that the ND filter enables the long exposure that causes the clouds to streak across the sky as they moved. The water also turns into what appears to be a fine mist. It's a must for landscape photography and something I always (try to remember) to pack.
A pro tip for both buying and carrying filters: The more lenses you can buy that have the same size filter thread, the fewer filters or adapters you'll have to carry. There's a reason most manufacturers' "holy trinity" of zoom lenses all use the same filter size.
Laurens does a lot of behind-the-scenes work for his YouTube channel when he's out and about, and he makes some recommendations for stabilization gear and audio.
To round out his photo gear, he talks about packing a flash to always have for portrait work.
One thing that he doesn't pack as a portrait photographer that I find essential, especially for tripod-based landscapes, is some sort of wired or wireless remote trigger, such as immortal Canon RC-6 Wireless Remote Control. While you can use an app on your phone these days, it's just easier not to have to deal with battery-draining wireless connections and a touch screen you have to take your hands out of your gloves for on a cold day.
Check out the entire video for more of his practical tips for getting your gear in order for the road, and don't do what I do—pack your gear in advance.
Is there a must-have piece of photo gear that you use that's not in the video? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
