Help Me Help You: You’re carrying too much
I’m a “just in case” kind of guy.
My forever friend Dan and I have joked about this since high school. It’s been a running joke for decades.
What if I need this?
Better buy it.
What if I can use this?
Toss it in.
What if?
Well…I better have it
That philosophy has followed me into photography. I've bought plenty of gear over the years because, somewhere in the back of my mind, I thought, What if I need it someday?
So believe me, I’m not a minimalist. I have closets and bins full of camera bags—rollers, backpacks, sling bags, bum packs, shoulder bags—you name it. And I know hundreds of photographers who are the same, if not worse.
We photographers are pretty good at convincing ourselves that the next bag, the next lens or the next piece of gear might be exactly what we need.
I travel with a lot of gear. Sometimes probably more than I need. I like having options, and there are plenty of situations where having that extra lens, filter, tripod or piece of clothing can make all the difference.
But here's the distinction I've learned over the years:
Just because I travel with it doesn't mean I have to carry it on my back while I'm shooting.
That's really what this is about.
I see people struggling with this all the time on my workshops. They arrive with a large, fully loaded backpack and then carry that entire pack everywhere we go.
And I understand why.
Rain gear? You might need it.
Water? Absolutely.
Extra layers? Definitely.
Multiple lenses? Maybe.
Filters, batteries, tripod and everything else? There’s usually a reason for all of it.
Sometimes we really do need all of those things.
But if we're standing in one location for an hour, do I need every piece of gear I've brought on my back for that hour?
Probably not.
I'll often have plenty of gear with me in the vehicle or nearby. I just don't feel the need to carry all of it at the same time.
And this is where I think it can make a real difference.
I've watched photographers struggle physically under the weight of their bags. And it's hard for me to watch, especially when they've paid good money to be on a photography adventure and are spending so much energy managing their gear.
There's another issue, too.
What happens when you see something before you get to the place you planned to photograph?
A shaft of light hits a mountain. A bird takes flight. Someone walks through a perfect patch of light. The clouds suddenly open.
Your camera is zipped inside the backpack.
Now you have to take the bag off, put it down, unzip it, find the camera, find the lens, remove the caps, put the lens on, pull out the tripod and start setting up.
Maybe it's dark. Maybe it's raining. Maybe it's foggy. Maybe it's dusty.
Or maybe the moment is simply gone.
That's the part I'm trying to get people to think about.
I'm not saying my way is the right way. There are landscape photographers who love the process of carrying a big pack to a location and methodically building a photograph. If that's your style, great.
This is about finding your style and making sure your gear supports it rather than gets in the way.
I still have my “just in case” gear. It's probably sitting in a bag somewhere right now.
I just don't necessarily carry all of it on my back while I'm shooting.
And yes, some people will push back on this. That's okay. I actually like that. If it gets you thinking about how you photograph and why you carry what you carry, then the conversation is worthwhile.
Some quality bag companies to keep in mind.
https://www.thinktankphoto.com/?rfsn=7843140.eca4b7
Reach out with question about gear, adventures or just to say hello.