Text contributed by Jennifer Bolton
For all of us who love to discover new and exciting places, capturing beautiful images is an absolute must. Especially in a world where digital photography and social media sharing dominates the industry, whether using our high-res smartphones or special lenses, both aspiring and expert photographers anticipate each journey with eagerness and expectation. But our coveted image-capturing devices are not immune to accidents and even theft, and taking precautions while on the road or doing fieldwork is essential.
Purchase a Good Coverage Plan
It doesn’t matter whether you’re taking a casual break or engaging in an intensive expedition – making sure that your camera and equipment is protected under appropriate financial coverage is a must. With many great deals available which cater individually to specific items or overall household and/or travel insurance, the small fee you pay is next to nothing compared to repairing or replacing damaged equipment and losing your work. You can have peace of mind by investing in a good plan (always read the small print) as well as checking out the warranties on your product(s) and what they cover. Some credit card providers also offer warranties on products which are purchased with a particular card/plan and cover various scenarios for a short time, so these are also worth looking into – but always check the length of the term and whether or not the coverage extends to other countries.
Use Quality Protection
Many models already come with a case, but often these offer only minimal protection and are designed for aesthetic purposes rather than functional ones – they don’t always cover the entire device, are not always waterproof, don’t provide additional pockets for other items and are often not very durable despite being expensive. It’s better to shop around and find generic brands (unless you don’t mind dishing out some more money for brand names) and finding light-weight yet sturdy cases which offer:
- Protection from the elements (sunlight, rain, snow)
- Insulation against varying temperatures and humidity
- Protection against wear and tear
- Additional storage space for batteries, lenses, memory cards, chargers, adapters, and other items
- Ease of access, but with efficient safeguard against theft
- Comfort for carrying and transporting
- Know Your Environment
Although spontaneity is part of what makes a photographer’s journey so memorable, it’s important to have a good grasp of the environment you will be taking your photos in. This includes taking note of the climate, weather, geography, and all other environmental aspects, as well as the cultural, social, and political nature of the location. For example, you’ll want to know if you will be working in a high humidity environment, and whether or not your lenses will cope with change in pressure so that you can take care of them properly.
Just as vitally, take time to respect the customs of the people and their respective environment. In some regions, many locals may not be happy to have their photo taken without permission and a small fee. Underground urban areas, sacred sites and museums are just a few of the places where camera activity is forbidden in some places. Also note that when using an expensive-looking camera, it immediately sets you out as a target for pickpockets and thieves; know how to avoid situations where such criminals can capitalize. There will be some locations where it will be better leave your camera at home altogether, whereas in other places, stealthy criminals can easily slide their hands into your pockets when you are focusing intensely on the next shot, or grab your camera the moment you put it down. Some photographers take multiple memory cards per trip so that in the event of a theft, not all the images are lost.
Be Familiar with Your Equipment
It’s quite common to purchase a new model just before going away on a trip, but there is nothing worse than being presented with some fantastic picture opportunities and not being able to take advantage of them because you haven’t taken the time to know your device. Even more importantly, not knowing how to properly take care of your camera while away can result in accidental damage. Know how to maintain your equipment and make sure that you mark off your checklist while packing so that you don’t leave anything behind.
Take your camera with you in your carry-on luggage where possible, always use the strap, and stay vigilant; just by following a few of these simple steps, you can enjoy a safe and memorable vacation with ample photo opportunities.
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