European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 1, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse A Tabletop tripod can be used to steady a camera against a Wall left or against the photographer s Chest particularly useful when using a Long Lens or slow shutter speeds. The Tabletop tripod makes it easier to shoot time exposures a such As this night scene taken during the carnival in camera bag pack right travel Light a a 6 a a the selection of camera gear for travelling is a difficult Compromise Between having adequate equipment to. Effectively portray what you see and keeping the kit Light enough to enjoy the trip. Fortunately improved technology has done much to lighten the still or video photographer s Load. The cameras and lenses Are much lighter and More versatile. Video cameras Are especially lightweight a about the size and heft of a Normal 35, camera with a motor drive of a couple of years ago. The following 35mm kit will permit coverage of a wide Range of situations without making the photographer into a glorified Eeast of Burden a camera body with extra batteries ? a lenses a a wide Angle 24mm-35mm and a Macro zoom telephoto in the 80mm-200mm Range a film a Normal and High Speed a lightweight fabric camera bag a Tabletop tripod a Gable shutter release at least 12 inches Long a Small electronic Flash with Extension sync connecting Cord and extra batteries a filters polarizing and 81a warming filters for color film red yellow and Green for Black and White film close up filters if you Don t have a Nacro capable Lens a Lens and camera cleaning kit a camels hair Brush Blower Lens fluid and Lens tissue a two resealable Clear plastic bags for film a Penlight flashlight a Small permanent Quot Mark anything Quot Marker. You should also carry two lists of All camera equipment with brands and serial numbers keep one in your purse or Wallet and one Luggage. If you have any extra space you May want to carry a separate hand held Light meter and a second camera body. Whatever your Choice of equipment still or video be sure to carry extra batteries. With most of today s All electronic cameras when the Battery is dead so is the camera. Select a camera bag that provides easy Access to your camera gear while being carried on your shoulder. It should also have a wide padded strap with some Type of rubberized material to permit comfortable carrying without the camera slipping off your shoulder. The Flap or lid of the bag should be Large and overlap the bag body to protect the contents from rain and dust. If you will be travelling by air the bag should be Able to contain All of your equipment and still Stow under the airline seat. A a ? plastic bags can be important in keeping your film moisture free. If you will be travelling through Airport Security or customs they can also allow your film to be easily taken out and visually examined without going through the a Ray machine. With modern High Speed films repeated exposure to a rays can cause fogging. So if you think you will be going through several Security checkpoints you May wish to ask to have your camera gear examined by hand. It s better to arrive at the Security checkpoint a Little Early when requesting this so that the guards will have time to hand Check your equipment. A Tabletop tripod is an important but often underrated piece of equipment. It can be used closed or open As a Brace for using Long lenses or slow shutter speeds. It can be braced against ones Chest shoulder or Arm for hand held shots. It can be placed on the ground on a table or held against a Wall for time exposures. The Cable shutter release will help you keep from jarring the camera when taking time exposures such As pictures in caves or churches. To use a Cable release set your camera shutter Speed dial to the Quot a Quot setting and press the Cable release for As Long As you want the exposure to last. For Long exposures a Locking Cable a a release is a Good idea freeing your hands while keeping the shutter open. A Penlight flashlight while not vital is extremely useful in Low Light Levels to permit you to see the settings on your camera and for finding things in your camera bag. It s a Handy item to have for other emergencies As Well. A Small electronic Flash will not Only permit you to photograph in dark places but also provide fill Light to open up the shadows in outdoor photography. Before using a Flash outside however be sure that your camera will synchronize with the Flash at the higher shutter speeds usually necessary in outdoor photography. The Extension sync Cord will allow you to use the Flash off camera giving the photo better modelling reducing the Black Quot ghost Quot of Shadow behind the subject and eliminating the Quot red Eye Quot effect which is caused by Light reflecting frown the Retina of the subject s Eye when the Flash is too close to the camera Lens. Filters Are really the subject of another article. Briefly a polarizing filter allows the photographer to Darken the Blue skies in outdoor pictures reduce reflections from non metallic surfaces and enhance the color saturation of some subjects. A warming or 81 a filter reduces the bluish cast of shadows when shooting pictures in the Shade especially useful in pictures of people. The red yellow and Green filters enhance the saturation of their complementary colors Cyan Blue and Magenta when used with Black and White film. A close up filter is valuable for detail shots if your Lens does t have Macro capability or if you prefer not to carry a Macro Lens because of its weight. A l. Emmett Lewis or. August 1, 1997 stripes Magazine 7
