Petzl Tikka

Petzl Tikka

It's one thing to toss a bunch of gear in your car and drive to a spot to take landscape photos. However, if you're hiking to that spot, put a backpack on your back that's suitable for hiking long distances. In this case, less makes more sense. For the lowdown on what to pack, here are some tips to lighten you load including the gear you'll need and the techniques you'll use to get the perfect shot you've always wanted.

Don't Leave Home without Your Cosmetic Bag

What?!! No, not the bag you put your mascara in, but the one that carries your memory cards, filters, lens cloths and the cleaners for your sensors. Use a plastic, lightweight, organizer that has lots of zippered sections and compartments. It should be modifiable and flexible enough to fold into odd places in your backpack.

Use Your Head and Not Your Heart

To find the right place for that absolutely wonderful shot, use your head and read the map. If your map shows you a promising spot that will might give you spectacular sunrise shots, think about how you're going to get there. If the spot is 1,500 feet above where you're camped. In order to get there, you'll need to get up at 4:30 a.m., grab your photo gear and hike two hours to reach that spot before sunrise. You'll need something to light your way using something like a Petzl Tikka 3-LED Headlamp, that's only weighs 2.5 ounces and takes three triple A batteries. It only costs about $30 retail and you can probably find it online for less.

Lighten Up Those Legs

Cut your pack weight by using a carbon fiber tripod like the Pro 813 CF II Carbon Fiber Leg Set. It only weighs 3.4 pounds, and the equivalent Slik tripod in aluminum weighs in at 5.5 pounds. The carbon fiber model runs around $250 dollars retail, while the aluminum model sells for only $140.

Pack Soft Not Hard

Think about using CD sleeves instead of synthetic filter cases. While this could save you an ounce or three, it's also flexible for easy packing. While an ounce or two might not seem like much, it all adds up and at 3,000 feet up, it may mean a lot.

Crossing Rivers and Streams

If your climb takes you through deep, slow moving, rivers or you need to swim across slot canyons, you're going to want to carry an inflatable, lightweight, baby pool with you that is large enough to float your equipment across. All you need is one of those cheap multiple tubes at the Dollar store or from places like Sunset Glob Inflatable Baby Pools which comes in different sizes and weigh about 2 to 5 pounds. They sell for about five dollars, and you also want to invest in a waterproof pack like a SealLine Dry Case (sealinegear.com), that comes with an enclosure that's submersible. The largest sized one only weighs around three ounces, and will set you back around $20 bucks.

These are just some of the things you should take along with you when going after those beautiful landscape shots in the wild. They will allow you to get the shot, preserve your gear and not weigh you down in the process. Add a Petzl Tikka 3-LED Headlamp and you'll be set to go.

Judith Allison is writer, researcher and avid digital photographer who loves to work with different digital cameras to get the perfect shot. Her current favorite is the Nikon L100 which is more than a point-and-shoot, but less than a professional-level camera. Visit her site for free information about the Nikon L100 as well as other photography tips, techniques and news.

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