What to pack – and how to pack it

You don’t need to take the kitchen sink…

Flying to your destination? Always keep your fragile electronic kit and glass with you as your carry-on baggage. A smallish backpack is ideal as it will spread the weight of your kit evenly and keep both hands free, but you’ll need to make sure it fits the size regulations of all the aircraft you’ll be using. If your destination is a city, then a backpack that only gives access to the main compartment through the back or side is likely to prove more secure than one that opens at the front.

Camera

ideally you’d have a main camera and a backup, but unless you’re on a once-in-alifetime trip – or you’re loaded – one should do it. Don’t buy a new camera just before you go as, although EOS bodies share similar handling traits, the last thing you want to do is to be fumbling instead of making the most of the moments.

Filters

Two filters that are useful for travel photography are a circular polarizer to add punch to blue skies and cut through glare on the sea (use with care on wide-angle lenses as the effect can be uneven) and a clear UV filter to protect the front element.

Batteries

you’ll need to keep all batteries in carry-on luggage. Take enough to get you through a single day’s heavy use, and keep their protective covers on when not in use.

Laptop

Depending on the duration of your stay, you’ll want to take a laptop to make backups of photos and carry out some cheeky edits. But rules, they are a changin’, and there’s now a distinct possibility that you won’t be able to, if Usa-bound.

Wide-angle lenses & Memory cards

Take Twice as much memory than you anticipate you’ll need, and split it across several smaller capacity cards, rather than just one or two large ones. That way, if you lose one or it gets corrupted (rare, but still a risk) then at least you won’t lose all your images.

Flashgun

a flashgun can help to reduce shadows and produce more flattering portraits in the harsh midday light of sunny climes, although your pop-up flash can get you by if you’re working close.