Travelling with photo gear
 

When I shoot portrait reference locally, I use a small strobe system with two flash heads.

I would like to know if this is common gear among those of you who travel, or do you prefer incandescent floods, or seek natural light.

John Ennis

Hello John,

First I would like to congratulate you on your self portrait on your web site. That is really good stuff.

I shoot in natural light exclusively, however, I would concede that some of the scariest times I've had were arriving on foreign soil not knowing what I would find as far as quality of light (direction, location and size of windows etc.) and background.

I think that having and understanding an artificial light set up could reduce the stress considerably in these circumstances.

I travel with two heads (not counting the one on my shoulders) and a power pack produced by Comet, a Japanese company. The size is quite small so I can fit them in my carry on luggage. Without good lighting there can't be good painting.

My experience is greatly limited, but here are my thoughts at the moment:

1. Carry on what you can't do without: camera, printer, printer paper and tripod(s) There are some very tiny portable printers that can connect either to the digital camera with Pict-Bridge technology, or take a chip directly.

For film, you have to find a local procesor anyway.

It made me nervous to have to depend on the hope that I could find a near-by image processor, that wasn't waiting for repair, or had a back up in the schedule.

I take two tripods, one for camera and one for light, if necessary. two bulbs of any type I think I might use.

2. The reflector shell fits into virtually any size suitcase. I have a background system by Giotto, with a carry case, two 12' ( I think) tripods, and a 3-bar system for backdrop. I put a reflector umbrella in the carry case along with the tripods.

My camera, printer and paper fit into my purse, and I believe that the tripod case will meet travel requirements, though I haven't yet tested this.

Travel gear
 

Marvin, what about the light-stands and umbrellas, cables and laptop? Same carry on bag?

I can' t seem to see a way to get it all in one case. I have a photographer friend who says he is preshipping the gear to avoid delays at the airport.

I am looking at some Pelican hard roller cases, anyone using these?

I check everything that's not fragile on board (in a pelican hard case). All delicate equipment gets carried on board. I've made it a point to find the lightest and most compact equipment.