Go Climb Something!!!
No matter where the journey takes you, do not forget your camera and climbing shoes.
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Life On The Move
Bouldering Shoot Kit
In photography there is a kit for everything. From street photography to back country product shoots. Almost all of these kits are going to look quite different. Today I will talk about what my bouldering shoot kit generally looks like.
When out shooting bouldering I usually do not bring a proper bag out to the boulders but rather the Think Tank modular system and a couple of Think Tank cable management bags stuffed into a crash pad. That way I can help with the climbing gear and still be able to haul my gear in comfortably too. I primary use of my modular system for shooting while hanging from a rope, but there are many other uses for this system. I use the Trim Changer, Chimp Cage, and Lens Changer 25 which all attach to a Belly Dancer Harness. There are several different brands of mod systems so look around and see what works best for you. I really love the Think Tank quality and design and their products just make sense. That being said I use several different bags and cases from a Pelican 1510 to a Kata 3n1 laptop sling style bag. Every bag has a use but for bouldering something that can be thrown into a pad works best for me.
I like to keep my camera out all of the time when hiking into an area and in general really. I sling my 5d Mark II over my shoulder with the Sun Sniper Strap and generally have my 24-105mm f4 attached for capturing “that” moment near or far-ish. If for some reason I need to stash my camera in the pad or pack I use a novoflex XL neoprene wrap to protect the camera and lens which is a must have for mountain use. Before I found this wrap, I would just wrap my camera in a fleece or jacket, but using the right tool for the right job is strongly advisable.
Manfrotto really does make some of the best camera equipment on the market. Andrew Kornylak put me onto these ultra light stands and for using them in the mountains they are perfect. The Manfrotto 1051BAC stands that I use pack very easily into a pad or on the side of a pack. At two pounds a piece you hardly even notice the extra weight. If I am going to use ambient light I still opt to bring at least one of these stands with me. Using a universal clamp to attach a reflector to a stand is clutch especially when you do not have an assistant or there are not enough free hands.
Having extra batteries for flashes and your camera are key but sometimes over looked. Bring them. Also make sure to pack a cleaning kit for your camera and lenses. I bring a couple to a few lenses with me depending on where and what I am shooting. Anytime I change lenses I like to clean the new lenses with a carbon fiber cloth and the camera with a Gitto’s blower for good measure. While blowing out the camera make sure to always face the camera down and never up with the lens off mount. Make sure to bring a couple of Neutral Density (ND) and possibly a gradient ND to compensate for the light. A couple of extra memory cards will not hurt either especially if you are shooting video. I like the Think Tank Pixel Pocket Rocket for my CF cards.
There are several items that are not in the photo that sometimes make it into the kit. I use 2 Nikon SB-800 and one Canon 580 EXII with Pocket Wizard and Flex TT5 triggers . I usually only use the two pictured below but sometimes having a third flash on camera or on a hot shoe OC-E3 cord is needed to create the right filler light. I do bring a couple of different sized 5n1 reflectors as well. I really prefer to us ambient light when possible as most adventure photogs do, but flashes are still a good idea to stash just in case you want something more dramatic.
My rig is no where near perfect and I am also always looking for new ideas on what to and what not to take out on a shoot. I am also adding new gear to my arsenal which changes things for me often. (I am about to pull the trigger on the Photoflex Triton Octo Kit which will be a much needed up grade.) Maybe there are some new or old items or ideas that I have overlooked or that I am not familiar with that will help me out. Let me know and while you’re at it, what is in your bag?
Go Shoot Something!!!
