Must-have non-photographic accessories

[JDArt]

What's standard non-photographic equipment for you as a photographer that makes your photographic journeys what they are?

For me, when it's outdoors shooting, I need:

Hiking boots (no worry about getting wet, dirty, etc.)
Hiking socks (see above)

[Kurt Petersen]

Ditto, the hiking boots & explorer socks. My other biggy is a camelback(no pun intended), some of my favourite days out are at MTB races and it can get pretty dry & dusty on the track.

Does anyone know of a camera backpack that has space for some extra kit (clothes, trail food etc)& a hydration pack? Or a camera insert system to put inside a regular camelback style bag? This would make me a happy camel...

[Neil V]

For people in cooler climates like me I find having a pair of Marmot liner gloves really take the chill off, they are thin and tight and just provide protection from the elements to make things bearable.

The other necessity I have is an extremely light camping chair made by Coleman, again it just makes things so much easier when I am hunkered down waited for my next 'victim' to come into my viewfinder.

Next thing on my list is probably is blind made out of camouflage material of some sort but I guess that's photography related...

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by Kurt Petersen

My other biggy is a camelback(no pun intended), some of my favourite days out are at MTB races and it can get pretty dry & dusty on the track.

Does anyone know of a camera backpack that has space for some extra kit (clothes, trail food etc)& a hydration pack? Or a camera insert system to put inside a regular camelback style bag? This would make me a happy camel...

Good idea. I'm always trying to stuff water somewhere.

I should add to my list above:

Hiking pants or shorts, with pockets everywhere, in the legs as well as in the normal places.

Just check all those pockets before you wash the pants!

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by Neil Vanderwolf

Next thing on my list is probably is blind made out of camouflage material of some sort but I guess that's photography related...

I have a rue blind that drapes over my head, and I've never used it. Hot in there!

[ellette]

Once I start working in the hospitals it will probably be stuff like

a tickle stick (feather or some other kind of duster with a fairly long reach)
some sort of small stuffed animal that makes noise to attract attention
hospital approved bribes for the kids that are too old to smile at the tickles or the noisy toy but are too young to cooperate.
mask for me and shoe covers to keep out germs
rubbing alcohol or bleach or other cleaners to kill germs

Non- hospital shoots
patience
a babysitter

Sara

[Wilt]

One of those tiny LED keychain flashlights (for seeing door locks in the dark)...to be able to read switches and buttons on the camera body.

Small disk bubble level from the hardware store (much cheaper than photo store versions!)... for leveling camera on tripod.

FRS walkie talkie...to talk to a photo assistant who is a good distance away without shouting

Mesh travel bags usually for holding loose sundries...for keeping things easier to find in your photo bag

Camping ground pad...cut into chunks for separating multiple items like two lenses in one divider area in the camera bag

Neck cord for glasses...so you can dangle your sunglasses around your neck when focusing and shooting

Jewelers screwdriver kit, allen wrench kit...to tighten things before they fall out!

[Rokcet Scientist]

Originally Posted by ellette

[...] rubbing alcohol or bleach or other cleaners to kill germs [...]

Sara

It'll be interesting to see you "kill germs" on your photo equipment with "rubbing alcohol or bleach or other cleaners", Sara . . .

;–P
RS

[ellette]

Originally Posted by Rokcet Scientist

It'll be interesting to see you "kill germs" on your photo equipment with "rubbing alcohol or bleach or other cleaners", Sara . . .

;–P
RS

Why? Anything that the child touches has to be germ free. It is making getting a background a bit difficult but I may just see if I can put plexiglass down and clean that...have to check with the hospital. The camera isn't going to be breathing on the kids, they aren't going to be touching it, I won't set it on anything they may later touch, it isn't like I'm going to be soaking my camera in alcohol before every shoot.

Sara

[Mr. Pickles]

My Palm device. I take notes on it, and look at charts and settings and stuff that I have on there. It also has phone numbers in it in case I need help.

[CI Photography]

Originally Posted by bauerman

Bologna Sandwich..................

I find that I get better bokeh when I carry bologna over peanut butter................

: I hear ya. But I want that good old Rag Bologna. Shoot I'm getting hungry now.

Joe

[Neil V]

I just thought of another thing I take with me when I go somewhere I haven't been before, my GPS to track my route...

[ellette]

Originally Posted by Neil Vanderwolf

I just thought of another thing I take with me when I go somewhere I haven't been before, my GPS to track my route...

Yeah, it is always a bummer when a photographer goes out, and then they find his body years later. "well, he didn't make it but dang he took some nice pictures before he starved to death lost in the wilderness!".

I swear I almost need a GPS watch so I don't get lost in the store some times, if I get to where I can finally start venturing out into the wildnerness for pictures I'll be carrying more than just a GPS with me - survival blanket, knife (know how to make an emergency shelter), and some waterproof matches though I can start a fire without one...I'd just rather not have to.

Sara

[Rokcet Scientist]

Originally Posted by ellette

Why?* Anything that the child touches has to be germ free.* It is making getting a background a bit difficult but I may just see if I can put plexiglass down and clean that...have to check with the hospital.* The camera isn't going to be breathing on the kids, they aren't going to be touching it, I won't set it on anything they may later touch, it isn't like I'm going to be soaking my camera in alcohol before every shoot.

Sara

Let me spell it out for you, Sara: your photo equipment probably won't take kindly getting 'cleaned' with "rubbing alcohol or bleach or other cleaners". You run the very real risk of etching the glass surfaces, dissolving the markings and leaking fluid into the camera. So DON'T DO IT!
Use a dry soft cloth.

Have fun,
RS

[ellette]

Originally Posted by Rokcet Scientist

Let me spell it out for you, Sara: your photo equipment probably won't take kindly getting 'cleaned' with "rubbing alcohol or bleach or other cleaners". You run the very real risk of etching the glass surfaces, dissolving the markings and leaking fluid into the camera. So DON'T DO IT!
Use a dry soft cloth.

Have fun,
RS

Yeah, you see...I'm not actually stupid. Like I said, it is for the things that the child will touch and unless I just decide to not bother taking pictures of the kids and go there for them to take pictures of me...the background and any props I have are the only things that I need to clean with harsh chemicals. The background I won't even have to use nasty chemicals on if I machine wash it in hot water and dry it on high and I'm looking into making something that I could do that with...wrinkles are my only real problem that route because I will not be able to take time each session to steam the wrinkles out.

Sara

[Neil V]

Yeah, it is always a bummer when a photographer goes out, and then they find his body years later.* "well, he didn't make it but dang he took some nice pictures before he starved to death lost in the wilderness!".*

I swear I almost need a GPS watch so I don't get lost in the store some times, if I get to where I can finally start venturing out into the wildnerness for pictures I'll be carrying more than just a GPS with me - survival blanket, knife (know how to make an emergency shelter), and some waterproof matches though I can start a fire without one...I'd just rather not have to.* **

Sara
Hi Sara,

I should have clarified, the main reason I take my GPS with me is so that I can go back to a certain spot to re-capture something at a later date. I agree with you though, it is a good feeling knowing that if I do get lost the GPS will assist me in finding my way back home...

Neil

[ellette]

Originally Posted by Neil Vanderwolf

Hi Sara,

I should have clarified, the main reason I take my GPS with me is so that I can go back to a certain spot to re-capture something at a later date. I agree with you though, it is a good feeling knowing that if I do get lost the GPS will assist me in finding my way back home...

Neil

Aah, see...someone like me with absolutely no sense of direction (I drive by feel and distinctive landmarks...someone cuts down a pretty tree and I may get lost!* ) just automatically assumed it was to help you find home, not help you find a spot you went to before or want to go to again.* That is neat, then you can find a spot on your way somewhere that looks like it would be fantastic in a different light and get back to the exact same spot...I like it.

Sara*