What Else Do You Need In Your Bag? #80

Photo Tips Podcast: What Else Do You Need In Your Bag? #80

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Last week I talked about photo gadgets, this week, I’m going to talk about non photography related equipment that I like to carry in my bag when I’m out shooting.

If you’re shooting on location and you’re going to be carrying equipment, it's important to stay hydrated. Whether you’re shooting in the winter or the summer. Having said this please do not put your water bottle INSIDE of your camera bag. This is just a horrible idea. If your bag doesn't have a water pouch designed into the side of the bag you can always add something like a drop pouch or use a carabiner with a water bottle hook to attach a bottle to the outside of your bag. I'll put links into my favorite products on the New York City Photo Safari website. My favorite drop pouch has become the Maxpedition because of its design. I actually have two on my bag. One for my water and the other for anything else I might need to carry like a jacket or a flash, batteries or extender. The reason I like these because you can fold them up and tuck them away when you’re not using them. I used to use the 5.11 but they don't make them in this size anymore. But any drop pouch will actually work. I also don't use a regular water bottle when I'm traveling. Since I always need to reduce weight I use a collapsible bottle like the ones made by Vapur [I mentioned the wrong product on the cast it should be a Platypus bottle]. I had one for 10 years before it finally sprung a hole. And since they’re really durable and reusable they’re ecologically sound. The reason I use  Vapur is because it's the lightest and most compact one in its class. And since it's foldable it doesn't take up any space when I have to pack it in my suitcase.

In my bag I also carry a very small first aid kit which includes, 2 aspirins, 2 Naproxy Sodiums, 2 Tylenols, 1 alchohol wipe, bandaids and Compedes for blisters. And depending on where and when I'm traveling, I also carry a mosquito wipe and an anti-itch wipe. I must say that for myself, I only dip into my first aid kit about once every couple of years but I have had to dip into it regularly for others I'm traveling with. And the thing is, if someone in your group needs this and you don't have it, they’re going to slow you down. So it's best to be prepared not just for yourself but for others too, that is if you want to keep the shoot moving forward.

Here are the links: