2 July 2012

Outdoor Photography Tips – Taking Your Camera Hiking

I love hiking. And I love photography. So combining the two seems like a sure winner, right? Well, it can be if you plan ahead and think smart.  I’ve been on many hiking adventures with my trusty Canon in tow – here are some handy tips I’ve picked up along the way:



Get a camera bag

Prepare for  the worst. Depending on the terrain, you may lose your footing, get rained on, or slip into creek (and that’s if you’re lucky!). The last thing you want is to damage your camera as well.  I find putting my camera in an air tight zip lock bag and then putting it in a proper waterproof camera bag (look for ones with a waxy surface) works a treat. Specifically, the air tight zip lock bag prevents my lenses from fogging up (which can be very annoying) and the waterproof  bag helps as an added layer of protection.

Take one lens  

I know, I know - how can you leave your beloved macro lens  behind at home? What if there is a wild flower emergency and nothing but the macro will suffice? Trust me, there is nothing worse than standing half way up a mountain, in gale force wind, trying to change your lenses. Not only is it frustrating, but you will almost certainly ruin or break your lenses in some way. Hard as it may be, settle for the one good-range lens and don’t look back!

Take a good memory card

A robust, durable memory card is a must for outdoor photography. After all, there’s nothing more heart breaking than hiking up a mountain only to find  out you have a memory card error. Play it safe and pack a durable memory card such as the  temperature- proof  and water-proof SanDisc Extreme

Invest in a collapsible tripod

If you’ll be taking night shots or long exposure shots, then a super lightweight tripod can be a good option. While it does add a little extra bulk and weight to your probably already very full arsenal of hiking gear, you can find ones that are collapsible to very small sizes, and don’t weigh that much. It will make all the difference to your photos.
The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy your hiking trip. Keep an open mind, and you’re sure to be inspired by dozens of photo opportunities, and impress others with your National Geographic-worthy photos.

Author Bio - Curtis Jones is a design and photography student who loves travelling, eating and scuba diving, and taking photos with his trusty Canon.

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