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Mastering Your Tools

Your most creative photography will almost always come from operating in a state of calm awareness. By having a solid command of your tools, you are free to easily concentrate on the task at hand and engage in your immediate reality, immersing yourself in the moment. During the course of our workshops, we'll be there to advise with the technologic components of your photography (and multi-media) but we recommend that you have a firm grasp on all your tools before you join your workshop in order to maximize your creative potential during this time.

Please read through the following information to make sure your are well equipped for your chosen workshop--as long as you bring your camera and a few other essential items, we're sure you'll have any amazing time!

Photography Equipment Suggestions

What kind of camera should I bring?

We require that you have a digital SLR or rangefinder camera you can operate in manual mode and at least a couple lenses. It is also suggested that you have at least a basic grasp of working with your camera in its manual mode. This includes an understanding of light metering and an ability to apply aperture and shutter speed settings to create a technically correct exposure. A useful source for information on these subjects is the National Geographic Photography Field Guide, which will aid you in gaining an understanding of these technical basics.

What should I bring along with my digital camera?

During our workshops you will need to download images from your camera to your laptop, edit images using an image browser, and back-up and organize your images for critique. We ask that you bring the following equipment with you: A laptop computer with CD/DVD Burner-PC or MAC-including the most current version of Photo Mechanic installed on your laptop. You will also need digital memory cards, a card reader and in most instances at least one external hard drive.

Do I have to bring a laptop and external hard drive?

Yes. In order for you to photograph with a digital camera while traveling for extended periods, it is necessary for you to bring a laptop and external hard drives so you may safely archive and organize your images as well as be able to edit them for critiques. Although you may use an image tank or similar devices for storage in the field, you will need a laptop for critique periods.

Equipment Suggestions

Suggested Photo & Multimedia Kits

For each workshop, we'll send you a specific list of the equipment that you will need in advance. The general equipment outlines below are for reference purposes.

Basic Photo Kit (Level 1 Workshops)

  • A Digital SLR Camera
  • Lenses suitable for low-light photography including a 50mm prime lens and 24 - 70mm zoom lens (preferably with an aperture of F2.8 or larger)
  • Compact Flash Memory Cards (Enough for a half day of digital capture: 10 GB Suggested)
  • Power Adapters and Surge Protectors
  • A Laptop Computer with CD/DVD Burner-PC or MAC [2GB RAM preferred]
  • Photo Mechanic Editing Software
  • 100 GB External Hard Drive
  • USB Jump-Drive

Intermediate Photo Kit (Level 2 Workshops)

  • A Digital SLR Camera
  • Lenses suitable for low-light photography including 35mm and 50mmprime lenses and a 70 - 200mm zoom lens (preferably with an aperture of F2.8 or larger)
  • Extra batteries for your Digital Camera
  • Compact Flash Memory Cards (Enough for at least a full day of digital capture: 10 - 20 GB Suggested)
  • Power Adapters and Surge Protectors
  • A Laptop Computer with CD/DVD Burner-PC or MAC [2GB RAM preferred]
  • Photo Mechanic Editing Software
  • 250 GB External Hard Drive
  • 100 GB External Hard Drive (as additional backup)
  • USB Jump-Drive
  • Data Rescue Software
  • Backup Digital SLR Camera (Optional)
  • Tripod
  • Flash
  • Lens Cloth (Suggested)

Advanced Photo Kit (Level 3 Workshops)

  • A Digital SLR Camera
  • Lenses suitable for low-light photography including 24mm, 35mm, 50mm and 85mm prime lenses and a 70 - 200mm zoom lens (preferably with an aperture of F2.8 or larger)
  • Extra batteries for your Digital Camera
  • Compact Flash Memory Cards (Enough for at least a full day of digital capture: 16 - 20 GB Suggested)
  • Power Adapters and Surge Protectors
  • A Laptop Computer with CD/DVD Burner-PC or MAC [2GB RAM preferred]
  • Photo Mechanic Editing Software
  • Extra batteries for your Laptop Computer (Suggested)
  • 250 GB Redundant External Hard Drive (enough storage room for a complete backup of trip images)
  • Image Tank (Suggested: enough to store your backup from at least a days shooting in the event that you are unable to backup using your laptop)
  • USB Jump-Drive
  • Data Rescue Software
  • Backup Digital SLR Camera (Optional)
  • Tripod
  • Flash
  • Lens Cloth (Suggested)

Multimedia Kit

If you are interested in exploring multimedia possibilities with us, we have several suggestions about audio recorders and various related accessories. Please email us if you are looking to purchase one prior to attending one of our workshops. A quality audio recorder significantly improves the quality of your multimedia reportage. The same suggestions that apply to your camera equipment also apply to this group of peripherals.

  • Audio Recording Device (w/ Flash Memory Based Recording Media)
  • Storage Media & Card Reader suitable for your Audio Recording Device
  • Small External Microphone and/or Shotgun Microphone
  • Headphones
  • Power Supply, Extra Batteries & Manuals for your Audio Recording Device
  • Multimedia Editing Software (Suggested: Final Cut Pro or Final Cut Express [MAC] or a combination of Soundslides Plus & Audacity [MAC/PC])