Photo Gear - What to Take for a Weekend Getaway



Strawberry covered with white
chocolate and candy hearts
by Fruitful Expressions

 Heading out for a Valentine's Day weekend getaway and want to make sure you can capture a few photos to remember the occasion?  There's no need to overburden yourself with too much gear. 

Think about where you’ll be traveling and what you are likely to be doing while there. Will you be stopping along the way to take a few scenics?  Will you be exploring the town?  Do you have any excursions planned?  Make that mental checklist and think about whether or not you need a full DSLR kit or if a good compact will do the trick. 

No matter what kit you decide to take with you, remember to pack the essentials for any kit:  lens cleaning kit, extra batteries, and charger.  

Choose a bag that is light-weight, easy to carry and just large enough to hold what you plan to take.  If you are flying, be sure it will fit in the overhead bin of the aircraft.

If you are driving and decided to go with your DSLR, choose 1-2 lenses that will cover focal lengths of about 28mm through to 200mm.  This will give you an extended range without adding unnecessary bulk and weight to your luggage - always a consideration when you are going to be walking around with the bag. 

Instead of taking the laptop with you, consider packing a couple of extra storage media devices.  They are small, light-weight, and store easily in a pocket.  Remember to charge all the batteries prior to leaving home and again each night while there to avoid the oh-so disappointing fatal battery failure!

Most importantly - Relax and enjoy the time away!  Happy Valentine's Day from Farm Gate Imaging