As a part of my preparations for my trek up and down the coastal United States, I have to decide how I want to document my adventure.
Whenever I travel, my gear can include a DSLR camera (big boy camera), lenses, tripod, batteries, cards, steadicam, GoPro and accessories, not to mention the equipment to support all of it, like a computer and card reader. It was not unusual for me to carry a whole backpack just of camera gear, weighing over 30 lbs, just so I could capture moments in the highest possible quality. My goals varied from corporate marketing to personal memories, but I always wanted to make sure I had gotten everything superbly documented. So, why is this trip different?
My goal for this trip is to become a better person, and without going into a huge philosophical rant, one major point is learning to enjoy each moment along the way. If I bring all my heavy equipment, yes, I will definitely have the quality advantage of a high-end, full frame camera and all the versatility that comes with it. But at what cost? The cost of lugging that gear around? The cost of setting up the shot and missing the bigger picture? The cost of worrying about losing or getting my gear stolen? Or just simply, the cost of missing the moment while looking into a viewfinder?
The Arguments for my DSLR
Having followed local professional photographers like Jonas Maon, Dallas Nagata White, and John Hook, I have really been inspired to take the best photographs I can, wherever I go. The argument going on in my head is ‘I may only experience this once, so I better document it well.’ So, for all my past trips, I have lugged around all my gear, snapping photos and shooting video along the way. Luckily I have realized my goal and now have very exciting, high quality memories documented forever.
The Arguments for Leaving my DSLR
The biggest argument for leaving my DSLR behind is space. Between all the gear it takes to make amazing photography, it not only takes up a whole bag but gets really heavy after you pack it all in. I recently did a trip to Utah & Oregon with just the bare minimum of DSLR gear, and even then it was a whole bag to carry everything in.
The other big argument in my head is the notion of enjoying the moment outside the viewfinder. When I have my DSLR, I am so focused on settings, framing, exposure, zoom, white balance, and other settings, that I’m afraid I may have missed the bigger picture. “Enjoy the moment for what it is and not worrying about the correct settings for documenting it.” It’s a strange thing to think about, but for someone who’s so used to making sure the settings are correct for any moment (in life or in photography), it will be a huge learning experience to just enjoy the moment for what it is (perfect or not).
Conclusion
What this really comes down to is my goal for this trip. Yes, had this trip been about documenting the journey or capturing the best quality images, it would be a no-brainer to take all my gear and hit the road. However, this trip is about personal growth, living with the imperfections of life, and enjoying the moment. In this way, my camera gear can be a part of this growth. I won’t be able to take the perfect shot and I will be forced to look outside the viewfinder. Of course I will still be taking photographs with my iPhone and GoPro to document the best parts, but without the worry of all that expensive gear, I should have a much more rewarding experience for me.
Gear I Will Be Bringing
This list will be updated as I go along, and hopefully I will write a post-trip review as well so you can see how well it all went!
• iPhone 5
• olloclip 4 in 1 Lenses (will be testing this week)
• GoPro Hero 3+
• Steadicam Smoothee
• Trek Tech Go! Monopod/Tripod
• iPad Mini (for editing)
Do you have any tips/suggestions? Let me know in the comments below! Thanks!
As a side note, Forbes Magazine has a pretty good article about using your iPhone for photography. Remember, as the camera geeks say, “the best camera is the one in your hand.”
Ahh, reading your blog and totally get it! Thank goodness for the iPhone and the beauty of catching a shot with no effort. I am trying to learn my DSLR better so I can shoot manual and thank God for Adobe Bridge and Photoshop which can amazingly correct bad stuff!
I observed Honolulu photographer Dana Edmunds shooting and he blew my mind … I told him at the end of the day that he shoots like a surfer. I remember he kind of smiled at me, no comment … but a nice grin. I went on to say if a surfer thinks about the wave, it’s gone. He didn’t look like me freaking out about checking a camera setting … anytime a shot or idea came up … BAMM! I couldn’t believe it. All along I had no doubt it was going to be great because I remembered how spontaneously he responded with no thought. When I saw the proofs, not only were my thoughts validated, it dropped me and went beyond.
I took my Cannon on a trip to Lisbon and although it remained in Auto (no flash) was amazed at moments I was in and I just “shot”. Also used the iPhone and was happy with what I captured.
All the while more important than any of the tech stuff was being “in the moment” … not letting the technical impede the experience. That is what I was there for, and therefore the camera was an extension of my eye and what I was experiencing. I didn’t care about the settings … I will get better but it was not important at the moment. I did get pissed that I shouldn’t be lazy and sit my okole down and learn the basic functions. However all being said, it boils down to the composition and intent.
No matter what you decide, it will be right. Once you hop on that plane, immerse yourself in the experience 100%. In our tech savy world (as in music good or bad lol) there is something to fix anything. What it cannot fix is the heart and intent!
Got to admit I am a little jealous of what you are embarking on! Everyone should exercise that freedom not only once but frequently on all levels in ones lifetime!!
Safe Travels!
Thanks Derek! That sounds like a cool trip to Lisbon, and while I agree that the DSLR would give me better shots overall, I am not bringing it so that I can free myself from any burden that traditional photography would put on me.
I agree. DSLR traveling can be cumbersome and may limit you from some aspects of your potential adventure. Personal security being one of the biggest issues. Bulkiness and overall just weighing you down is another huge con. Go forth with iPhone and GoPro should suffice. And if you have time, please do a daily selfie journal… http://youtu.be/5ky6vgQfU24
That’s awesome. I will definitely try to remember to do a selfie journal! No beard obviously, but I will try and get a cool timelapse after the trip is done!