USEFUL TIPS
PHOTO CHECKLIST FOR YOUR VACATION
SAFELY CARRY YOUR CAMERA
THE PIGBAG
Have you ever heard of a pigbag for your camera? I’ve been using it for years and I can recommend it to everyone!
A pigbag is actually nothing more than a soft cover that fits perfectly around your camera. With a pigbag around your camera, you can simply put your DSLR or mirrorless camera in your handbag or backpack and you don’t need to carry a separate camera bag (for proper protection).
Especially in countries where it’s advised not to walk the streets visibly with your expensive belongings, I really find the pigbag a godsend. After all, when you walk down the street with your camera bag, it is always blatantly obvious that you are carrying an expensive camera. With the pigbag around your camera, you can also just put your camera in your handbag or shopping bag so it won’t be noticed!
The pigbag is also ideal if you go hiking, for example. In fact, you won’t have to lug around an extra bag and can just put the camera in your backpack along with your water bottle, sandwiches, and sunscreen!
In addition, it is also convenient for the plane. I used to have to ‘mess around’ with two pieces of hand luggage (my regular bag + a camera bag), which is no longer necessary.
In some cases, your pigbag also comes with a strap, which allows you to hang the pigbag around your neck. Personally, I would take these off and use a shoulder strap on your camera. You can read more about that later in the article.
A pigbag can be found in various colors and designs on AliExpress, for example, and costs around €20. Do order it in time before you leave because delivery time through AliExpress can take up to multiple weeks. See some pigbags here and here. You can also order neoprene camera pouches in the Netherlands (where we are based), but they are a little less thick and I personally find them a little less protective of your camera.
SAFE STORAGE
LENSHOEZEN
When traveling, I always drag along a bunch of lenses as well. I’ve also found covers for the lenses that offer perfect protection, so I don’t need a camera bag. I just put my various lenses in my handbag or backpack with all my other stuff. Nice and inconspicuous for the outside world and saves me from lugging around an extra bag!
These covers can be found on AliExpress or Amazon. Depending on the size, prices range from about €8 to €15 per cover. Check out some lens covers here and here.
SAFELY CARRY YOUR CAMERA
CAMERA STRAP
Your camera almost always comes with a standard camera strap. With the standard strap, you carry your camera around your neck and it is attached to your camera through a ‘loop’ on the left and right side of your camera.
In addition to the fact that this strap can often get in the way when you want to take photos quickly, you also end up with neck pain if you wear your camera around your neck for a longer period of time.
Personally, I quickly replaced the standard strap with a Shoulder strap. This is a sling that you wear around your shoulder and attaches to the bottom of your camera, using the screw that also allows you to put your camera on a tripod.
The nice thing is that in this way you don’t suffer from the heavy weight of your camera, as it no longer hangs from your neck but around your shoulder. And because the camera hangs not upright, but ‘upside down’ on your strap, this is a very comfortable position for your hands and you can start shooting photos right away.
When I’m hiking, I always have my camera over my shoulder with the pigbag around it. This way, the camera doesn’t get damaged and I don’t have to take off my backpack every time I want to take a photo. Ideal and highly recommended for everyone!
The shoulder strap is offered by the more expensive Blackrapid brand, for which you can easily spend around 50-60 euros, but you can also find cheaper brands like this Quick Strap for €16.95.
HOW TO TAKE IMPRESSIVE PHOTOS
TRIPOD
For example, if you want to capture the skyline of that beautiful city or the starry sky at night, you’ll almost certainly need a tripod due to the longer shutter speeds.
Because you already have to carry enough stuff when traveling, I understand that you don’t want to lug around a big and heavy tripod as well.
Therefore, I started looking for a light and small tripod that is still very stable and easily fits in my backpack. I ended up with the Sirui UltraLight T-005X+10C. It is only 31cm high when folded and weighs (depending on whether you choose the carbon fiber or aluminum variant) 800gr-1kg. The tripod can be extended to a height of 140cm. The included bag is also of good quality and very useful, because it has ‘drawstrings’ that allow you to turn the bag into a backpack. This makes it easy to carry your tripod around.
The model I have is now several years old and no longer available, but the new variant T-005SK B-00K is similar.
SHARP PHOTOS
REMOTE CONTROL
Especially when working with longer shutter speeds, such as in low light conditions, or when you want to capture a photo of moving water and achieve a smooth effect, a remote control is essential in addition to the tripod. With longer shutter speeds, your camera will register even the slightest movement caused by pressing the shutter button to take the photo. This can result in less sharp photos.
With a remote control, you don’t touch your camera anymore, eliminating the risk of causing any movement.
Furthermore, it’s also very handy if you want to take a selfie with your DSLR. While you can of course do this with your phone, let’s be honest, the quality of a photo taken with your DSLR is much better.
The DSLR in many cases is too heavy and cumbersome to operate with 1 hand, so then you can put your camera down somewhere, or on a tripod and then take a picture with the remote control in your hand.
Each brand has its own remote control and they are available online or at specialty camera stores for around 20 to 30 euros. You can also find similar remote controls on AliExpress for about 1 to 2 euros! Check out the Nikon and Canon remote controls. Other brands are probably available too, but always check beforehand whether the remote control is compatible with your camera model.
Nowadays, many modern cameras also have an app that you can install on your phone and then use your phone as a remote control.
SAFELY STORE YOUR PHOTOS
MEMORY CARDS
Don’t forget to bring along extra memory cards. There’s nothing more frustrating than wanting to take photos and realizing that your memory card is full. You might miss that one crucial moment and end up having to delete other photos you’ve taken.
When I’m traveling for a few weeks, I really take a lot of photos and need several memory cards. To make sure I don’t lose the various cards and don’t walk around with all the loose cards in loose plastic sleeves, I purchased a memory card case. With this sturdy case, the cards are well protected, and you can keep track of which cards are full and which ones are empty.
Additionally, I also have a GoPro and a drone that both require memory cards, so this way, I always have all the memory cards conveniently together.
I personally have this nice sturdy case from Hama, but you can also go for this slightly cheaper and trendy colored case.
Here’s another handy tip: Memory cards often come with a sticker that you can write on. This way, you can give each card a different number, making it easier to distinguish them from each other. But even more useful: include your phone number. If you ever lose a card and someone finds it, they can contact you to let you know they found your card.
