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Photo Organizing/Editing
Hands down the easiest to learn, most comprehensive system to both organize AND edit your photos is Lightroom. Don’t be scared! I know learning new software can be intimidating, but Lightroom has a fast learning curve and I’m here to help. If you want to jump in, here’s training to get started.
*Note: ‘Lightroom Classic’ is the desktop/laptop version, while just ‘Lightroom’ is the mobile version. Make sure you download the one you want. Questions? Reach out, I can help.
Camera Strap
BlackRapid cross-body camera strap is the #1 best tool that I have found. I can wear my camera comfortably with this strap all day. I wouldn’t travel without it.
Another option for smaller cameras:
My Camera
The camera which I use and absolutely love is the Sony A7iii. It might be a little overkill for the casual travel photographer, but I love the size, weight, mirrorless function, low-light and focus performance…I could go on.
My go-to lens for travel
Although I have mutliple lenses for my camera, when I travel I don’t tend to switch them out very often. I typically travel with only one, my Zeiss, FE 4/24-70. I find the sharpness, range, weight and size work really well for me.
Tote Bag
Now in all fairness, I just got this bag and haven’t had much chance to try it out yet. Travel’s been a bit restricted lately if you haven’t noticed. But so far, my initial thoughts? I LOVE IT! I’ll update this description after my first official trip, but so far I’m very hopeful. I’m tired of the backpack for access and comfort, so this looks like it meets all my requirements.
External Hard Drive
This is essential for travel, to back up your image files on the go. You can insert your memory cards directly, and interface with your mobile device to view your photos. If you really want to travel light, this is a good option for back-up if you don’t want to bring your laptop along. Or if you do have your laptop, this is one extra level of protection. Either way, this is a must for travel!
Memory Cards
For travel, the best all around SD card (per my research and experience) is the SanDisk Extreme PRO SDHC UHS-I. It has a read speed up to 90MB/s, write speed up to 95MG/s, and has the capacity up to 512GB. I recommend getting multiple cards with smaller capacities, rather than trying to put an entire trip onto one card. I generally use one card per day, and then keep the card in a separate card holder, one for unused, one for used.
Memory Card Case
I mentioned under the memory card section that I generally keep one case (or more depending on the length of the trip) with unused memory cards, and then once they are used, I put them into another case. That way I have multiple copies of each image file (I backup my memory cards onto a hard drive). It also reduces the risk of losing all your image files due to memory card corruption, if you had all your images on one card. By spreading them out across multiple cards, you would only lose one card’s worth of images.
Camera Cleaning Kit
It’s important to keep you camera and lens clean, to avoid dust spots in your images, and to avoid malfunctioning of your camera equipment. Here’s a compact, portable option that offers all the essentials.
Mini Tripod
When on the move, lugging a full-sized tripod can be a bit of a pain. That’s why the mini-tripod is a great alternative. The JOBY GorillaPod is flexible (literally) and can hold a full-sized camera safely. It doesn’t give you all the options of a full-sized tripod, but it’s a great portable, light-weight alternative.
My Dream Tripod
This one, unlike the other recommendations, I have not actually used. BUT the company, Peak Design, produces fantastic products which I have used and loved before. According to the description this tripod is lightweight, portable, sturdy AND full-sized. What?? The price tag is not for the faint-of-heart, but with the reviews I’ve seen and the functionality…it’s on my wishlist.
Cloud Storage / Backup
After exhaustive research (that’s just how I roll…I tend to fall down some research rabbit holes - good for you, somewhat obsessive for me) I landed on Backblaze for my cloud storage/backup system. If you aren’t currently backing up your files and photos…DO IT NOW!
Backblaze is an easy way to set up an automatic backup of your entire system (Mac or PC). And once you set it up (which was extremely easy) you can have peace of mind knowing that all of your photos and files are safe in the cloud. And it’s only $6/month.
Monitor Calibration
When you decide to print, it’s important that what you see on your screen matches what the print will look like. Part of that process is making sure that your screen is calibrated. That measures brightness and color so that you know your monitor is accurate. My favorite tool for this is the ColorMunki Display. It’s incredibly easy to use, has good reviews, and is moderately priced - which are my most important criteria.
