He who would travel happily must travel light. – Antoine de Saint Exupéry
According to Doug Dyment of OneBag.com, the worst time to decide what to pack for a trip is while you’re packing for that trip! and that is why he advocates using a packing list. I’m a big fan of lists (thanks, Mom) so the site naturally appealed to me. I do have one slight issue with a statement on his “What to Pack: Using a Packing List” page:
Add items if you must, to address your business needs, hobbies, personal requirements, etc., but resist the temptation to add non-essentials. If you’re thinking “I might need this”, you’re likely mistaken; if it’s “I can’t survive without this”, you may be right. But consider it carefully and dispassionately… Do you truly need that 200mm lens?
The answer on a photography trip, is “Yes!” You do totally need that 200mm lens. Unless, of course you have a zoom lens that covers that range…
But back to the list. No, I’m not going to tell you how many pairs of underwear to pack (at least one more than days of your trip, unless you’ll have access to laundry facilities or don’t mind washing your unmentionables in the hotel sink) nor am I actually sure I can write a list for you – one that would address all your needs as an artist – but I would like to offer you a list of things I’ve found useful on my trips:
Comfort items:
- comfortable shoes: zoos are a lot, a lot, of walking. And most of it’s on concrete sidewalks and pathways. This is not the time to try a new pair of cute heels. Pick two of your most comfortable pairs of walking shoes, wear one pair and pack the other. If you’re wondering, “Why two?” you’ll thank me after it rains or snows (ah, the joys of Calgary weather, in late June no less!!) and your first pair are soaking wet.
- appropriate outerwear: sunglasses, hat, weatherproof jacket. Regardless of the weather when you step out the door, dress in light layers. You can always peel off layers as the mercury rises, but your coat’s not going to keep you dry if you left it in your closet.
- small backpack for your wallet, sketch supplies, sunscreen, small snacks and couple bottles of water: freeze one of the bottles of water, if possible, and you’ll have cool water to drink later in the day.
Photo Equipment:
I’m not a professional photographer so I’m not going to offer you any advice on what camera to buy, remember: I’m an “enthusiastic amateur” taking reference photographs for her artwork. However, I do have a few recommendations about photography equipment:
1.) If you buy new equipment, spend some time before your trip getting to know how it works. If you’re new to digital photography I recommend Jim Miotke’s book, The Betterphoto Guide to Digital Nature Photography for its conversational style, focus on nature photography, chapter on composition, and assignments at the end of each section to reinforce what you’ve just read.
2.) If you’re flying, your photo equipment is carry-on. End of discussion. You can wear the same clothes for three days straight, but you can’t take any photos if you land in Toronto and your camera lands in Timbuktu.
3.) You’ll need twice as many batteries as you think you will. Even if your camera uses rechargeables, always take at least one extra fully-charged battery.
4.) You’ll need three times as many rolls of film/room on memory cards as you think you will; okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but make sure you take extra film/memory cards.
5.) Seriously consider taking a monopod with you: first it will steady the camera during shots with less than ideal lighting, and second you’ll be shooting all day and eventually that camera will begin to feel like it weighs more than it does. Although, do be mindful of where you set up – don’t block walkways, or the viewing area, for other zoo visitors.
6.) If you’re going for more than one day with a digital camera, consider taking a laptop to download your memory cards at night.
Sketching/Drawing:
Take at least one sketchbook with your favourite sketch media and at some point during the day sit down in front of your target animal and draw. Yes, I said draw. I firmly believe that as useful as reference materials like photographs are, they are no substitute for drawing from life. Why? Drawing forces the eye to slow down, look and really see the animal: how is it put together, what are the colours, textures and patterns of its coat/feathers, how does it move? Drawing from life will help you remember those things in a way that photographs never will.
