@smeargtr8939 ive seen and heard them of them failing all over social media. Side access in general is risky at best, zippers can easily become caught and undone, forgotten about, or fail. That being said most of ehat I see from their brand other than their strap system seems like overpriced crap. The tripod was a joke for the price, the bags appear to be so too. I like think tank, they have been great since lowepros quality dropped a while ago, and for tripod legs you can't beat leofoto rn
@@smeargtr8939buy one. They’re great! Worked for a retailer that sold plenty of bags and I always said “if you like to have side access - go with the PD Everyday Camera bags.” And even though I’ve switched to a couple Nomatic bags, I still would recommend most (def not all) Peak Design stuff
Storage recommendations usually say, "Keep one copy off-site" and then they quickly move on. If you don't have family living next door, how should we think about off-site backups?
I'm a big fan of the afternoon nap. I find that if I plan at least a half hour nap around 1pm I feel regenerated and can stay out longer. Not sure if it's my age or just a habit, but I do find that it helps.
Fun fact: that is the way humans are built. We need a sleep at night and a short one during the day When Greece eliminated the afternoon nap following the 2010 crisis, they experienced something like a 20+% increase in heart infarctions
I am a amateur photographer and a podiatrist! Great shout out for our profession! James always brightens my day…Just as he says Barefoot shoe are great, as are stiffer sole shoes with a supportive cushioning insole. Walking boots for those hills, a sturdy walking trainer for cities and gentle walks - hoka / brooks/ ASICS are all good choices. choose Sketchers with care - not too soft and bendy, as not enough support. Any foot or leg pain - see a podiatrist!
Very useful photography item in my opinion: microfiber cleaning cloth. Always handy to have around to clean lenses (and/or glasses) and they're re-usable! :-)
Check out the Carson stuff it pro - expensive for a single cloth but if you only use it when you’re out, you can also rinse with cold water and allow to air dry. I’ve had the same one for 7 years and it’s still working well. They’re fantastic.
Bruh I just asked my dad "Yo dad, I can have this old brick, yea" and he went "Yeah sure" and now i have a 17yo camera. Though my dad propably relates to you with his ridiculous Nasa computer of a camera.
Makes me feel better that you never delete photos either, I'm exactly the same way about it. Some people are super judgy about it but my pictures are precious to me, that's why I take them in the first place! Would love a video dedicated to your storage setup.
You clearly don't shoot wildlife or macro focus stacks. I often burst shoot 4000 photos in a day. I delete heavily and only keep the best from the shoot.
@@youphototubewell yeah, that's a completely different situation/scenario. Plus, I'm pretty sure they refer to the photos that are good enough to edit, not literally every photo. At least if I can't find a good way of editing a photo, i just delete it.
Hi Sophia, James keeps every photo he takes. Foe me the art of photography is being able to sort out the good images from the bad. I delete most images I take and only keep my best. If they are family photos then that is a different story. @sofiamn_05
I don't think it has anything to do with being judgy. I've accidentally taken blurry pictures of my foot and the inside of my lens cap. Why would I keep those? And if you don't keep those either then you are exercising a certain level of discernment just like anyone else. Only the degree is different. I've never understood the compulsion to keep bad photos. Maybe I just take more bad photos than most people.
I've just moved to barefoot shoes and boots and they've been a total gamechanger for me. Saquaro barefoot shoes are superb value for money and their waterproof hiking boots offer me the grip and security for coming down hills that every other boot I've owned has failed to.
Loved to hear your point about taking notes on a notepad to avoid any distractions from your phone, that's actually what got me into photography in the first instance. I really disliked keeping my phone out to take photos and finding i was always distracted by it. So i picked up a point and shoot 7 years ago, fast forward to today I'm obsessed with my aspc system and can't get enough photography content.
Peak design clip on the belt. Camera can't take photos in the bag but it also can't take photos if you drop it off a cliff or into the ocean or is getting stolen and sometimes you need to attach it to your body to free your hand.
Amateur here. Big thumbs up to the shoe comment. I also find lens cap leashes to be a game changer for the simple reason that if I'm not anxious about losing my lens cap, I'll take more photos. If you can find the ones with a loop instead of the sticky kind that's a plus. The sticky kind are a bit hit or miss with actually staying on the lens cap.
I actually use lens hoods to protect the lens so I don't have to worry about the caps until I put the lens back in the bag. Especially helpful as I am clumsy and tend to bang my camera around.
Shoes are number one for me. I used to wear memory foam trainers, thinking they would be comfortable, but in fact walking boots are much more comfortable for 3 or 4 hours walking around.
A little First Aid kit can keep you going instead of bleeding all over your gear (been there, done that) or going home for treatment. I carry J&J knuckle bands ( they're large and flexible) and antibiotic cream.
Wow, haven’t heard any RUclipsrs say the cameras bags shouldn’t be called ‘camera bags and that cameras shouldn’t be in a bag. My Aunt told me way back when I was young that the camera should be it and ready to take a picture. This served me well when I was freelancing for newspapers.
James , I thought I was crazy for keeping all my raw files ... but going back to my African pics from 2021 for RUclips has made me a believer in saving since I have found shots that I totally forgot about ...and as my editing skills improve have turned into amazing "keepers" . Nice Video see you soon ! Cheers !
a video on storage would be great actually. i've been looking round for a good cloud backup storage solution to my physical backups but i just keep getting confused and giving up
Nice short video. I recently picked up the 6L peak sling just for this purpose. I also got the clutch so the camera is easier to keep in my hand. The one I had not considered is the sensor swab! I will add that to the kit. Thanks James.
You should try bone conduction headphones. Specifically the neanka runner diver pro or pro 2. I used them in my daily life all the time. Specifically to listen to music while still hearing everything going on in my environment. That way I can make sure I stay safe while being outdoors or in swamps/woods/beach. The runner diver pros are water resistant and can be used to swim with or in the ocean. They also have a built-in mp3 player that will allow you to put music on so you don't have to bring your phone with you or use your battery. My friend uses them to go snorkeling and record footage of fish. The battery's also last for 12 hours.
A really thought-provoking video. I have osteoarthritis and ache ...well, all-over really and carry far too much gear...so that is definitely being culled.
When it comes to straps the awesome thing is that they are super easy to make yourself. I find rope straps good for my medium format, but for 35mm slr I found that 8mm rubber robe is best.
I agree with the notebook! But I'd also suggest culling most notification and/or turning on DND by default (with the appropriate settings configured if you want to allow certain contacts to get through immediately.)
James at about the six-minute mark you said you made a point about looking at a vista thinking you need a long lens but there being plenty of other shots at wider focal lengths you just need to look for them... would love a video on exactly that.
I would add: 1. A hat to avoid sunburn and to shield lens to prevent flare, and 2. A mini-tripod you can put in a jacket pocket for those shots where you might want to capture some motion or put yourself in the frame. I have an Ultrapod with a Velcro strap you can use to mount it to small trees/poles and carry on your belt. It also fits easily in the Peak Design pouch.
Less is more. Good reminder James. My gear: best hiking boots, 1 camera body, with cage (so I can pick-up and use camera handheld), 2 lenses, 1 extra battery, basic cleaning kit, filters - maybe, 1 extra SD card, mono or tripod, and water; for close to home trips. That's it. Cheers to you and the wee clan.
There are two things in life that you must have, one is a decent pair of shoes and the other is a decent bed, the chances are if you are not in one you will most certainly be in the other! Yes if you are interested in photography then a camera will help and if most of your pictures only get as far as social media then a camera/phone will do! Thanks for all those tips James, oh I forgot I bought my camera bag in Spain it cost 5euro from a street market it holds just one camera with lens attached.... and you was right a camera is no good in a bag...thanks for that tip......take care.....
Thanks for all these tips and good advice. I have noticed that the older I get the weight carrying issue is becoming a real problem. I know what you mean about not deleting images. I can't do it either, and so have lots of portable storage units. A video on your storage systems would be really helpful and interesting some time in the future, when the rain stops play.
The shoes are a good suggestion. I think this is often overlooked and I'd add comfortable clothing to that as well, particularly if you live or work in warmer environments. I used to wear only jeans most of the time, but found that by wearing more comfortable clothing in general, I was more willing to stay out and do things -- and part of this is just dressing appropriately for the weather, be it a heavier jacket in winter instead of trying to wing it with a sweatshirt and a hat, or just forgetting the hat and gloves and going out with just a jacket because I don't think it's that cold out and being miserable because it's colder than I thought. I mean there have been days where it has been rather cold according to the temp and windchill but because I dressed appropriately to be out most of the day, it wasn't that bad at all, but there have been other times when I didn't, and my photography outings lasted only about 1-2 hours because I wasn't prepared. And while we're on the subject of gear I guess I almost say "no camera bag" if you can. I find that I'm more productive with just one camera and one lens and a few spare batteries and cards in my pocket, but no bag. This means tht I'm not carrying too much gear and am focusing on photography, not gear, but I guess this video was more about things photographers should buy, not avoid, but I think that by not carrying a camera bag and carrying less in general, you can enjoy your photography more. I think the battery charger is a good idea but only for if you're traveling and may not have access to a charger on a daily basis, but one should still have at least one spare, because swapping batteries is faster than waiting for your camera to charge, unless you time it to say when you're eating lunch or dinner, but even then so you have to wait for it to charge, whereas a battery swap may only take a few seconds, and by NOT having to wait you can keep going and this is good particularly if you're on a roll with your shooting that day. Having to wait to charge your battery gives you time to rethink your plans for the day and may cause some people to think, well this is taking too long, maybe I'll call it a day.... batteries for the camera are small and one should always care at least one spare just for emergencies anyway.
I agree that it is good not to carry too heavy a bag. To this end I have switched to micro 4/3 and bought a 6 liter camera bag. I have made a rule for myself that my camera and all of my lenses need to fit in this bag. This accomplishes the portability objective. However you raise an interesting point about choice paralysis. Maybe I need to think about even smaller sets of gear depending on what I plan to shoot. I have started deleting more and more photos. One of the main reasons I have for deleting photos is related to choice paralysis. When I come back from a shoot I find I spend too much time time waffling over which photos to edit and to share. I have come to realize the relatively few of the photos I take are very good and I benefit from quickly getting down to the ones I want to work with. I realize I could do this with some type of rating (stars, flags, color) but even though this is somewhat counter intuitive I find it helpful to get ride of the unneeded photos and reduce the clutter on my hard drive. It is interesting that I have come to bring as all of my gear with me, but only keep the good photos. Your video has made me think about this.
All good advice. My camera backpack has recently been replaced by a 3 litre military waist bag. It means I need to carry the camera in my hand, but all my other gear needs to be the bare minimum. My back appreciates that very much. One thing I started using recently is a GPS tracker app with a GPX export capability to geotag my images.
My top things and Im a very experienced trekker 1 Northface goretex shoes (goretex) NORTH FACE are the BOM 2 Epirb as a safety device 3 Food,,,,yes carry lots of bars 4 Goretex jacket (North face) 5 Wrist strap so you can just walk with it attached to your wrist ....burn your neck strap NOW!!! 6 Pannadol - if you get a headache 7 Getting fit does help and yes I gym a bit 8 small first aid kit 9 Tell someone where you're going ...always and when you're coming back 10 lots of water! I've always said its not bad weather its just the wrong choice of clothing (the 5 Ps)...piss poor preparation = poor performance
good stuff dude! to summarize i think? shop around and find what you want at the moment lol. and you will likely evolve in your bag needs. bags are great
I've started wearing UPF goodies from Northbound Gear and I can't recommend them enough. They keep me cool and dry and keep the sun off of me, which means I'm far more likely to stay outside.
Hello James. I'm really glad you mentioned Etsy and camera straps, because I realised today that I need another camera strap. At the moment (well, ever since I started photography actually) I've used a neck strap. But just today I realised just how much my neck and shoulders were aching just carrying the damn thing! So maybe a wrist strap is the solution.
I’ve gotten two camera straps off Etsy as well, and the one I’ve used the most is my wrist strap. It was tricky to attach, but dang if it isn’t *secure!*
For the headphones you use in ears, but I prefer on ears headphones. The one I use are the Tozo openbuds. They are great. When going out I still can hear the surroundings and they are very light and great sound. Give it an try and then love them. 🙂
Looking forward to the episode about storage. I have the same issue with old photographs keeping everything. Would love to know what process you use for your NAS, your mobile storage and off-site back up.
+1 on shoes that are comfortable for an extended period of time, and replacing them ASAP when they stop giving that long term comfort. I'm sure it was an oversight, but you never mentioned food. I always like to take some energy bars (Hornby or Clif are my favorites), and at least a liter of water.
Hello James, I like you philosophy's about very practical and useful conditions for photography. Very professional. Thanks for sharing your insights. Bert.
9:18 RE: Note Book. Another suggestion would be a small digital Dictaphone instead of a notebook, that way you can just speak into it & listen back later (maybe while editing your photos).
For me, I finally arrived at carrying a very lightweight backpack instead of a sling bag. It's not camera designed, but actually a camelback without the bladder that was sitting in my closet for a decade. It has outside pockets for my water bottle which I previously didn't carry but it's important now (and I can't stand the camelback bladder thingies). I can throw my camera in the main compartment if necessary and I'm stopping for a meal, for example. And maybe one additional lens (or none) with some protective pocket thing, and a couple of batteries although one usually goes into my pants pocket. Plenty of room for a sweater (or jumper if you prefer) or extra shirt, if necessary. For travel, a camera backpack that has room for the necessities like snacks. Again, maybe one additional lens. That leaves at least six bags on my shelf...
Good advices, I am a bit opposite on some of the things you mentioned. I carry most of my lenses with me because I have a very curious and wide interest in photography types so I do carry my macro lens and flash with a diffuser, I do carry at least one telephoto/super-telephoto with me because wildlife is my main interest and I will have a standard fast zoom and/or a fast prime for landscape or portraits of my dog if she's with me. I pack either my backpack if it's a long hike or my most used bag: the Crumpler Quick Escape 800 which fits most of my stuff in and on my hip or on my back I do have my Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 with me and listen to music 99% of the time (though if I focus on wildlife I will have 10-20% volume with sound passthrough) because I need them to manage my anxiety and absolutely mandatory if I am around people/in the city, else I would have a panic attack within the hour. I hate camera straps and never wear them, but I have become used to having a hand strap and I started using the Falcam one because it's magnetically detachable a very quick release and the strap itself can loop around my wrist and has a magnetic point where the lock stays attached like an wrist band. I don't travel far to need a large power bank (though I would get one when I can afford to travel) but I do have and use VERY often an Anker Nano Power Bank that has a built-in (pull-out) USB-C connector and it so small that it fits my Olympus OM-1 and it charges my camera while I use it, it doesn't even affect the balance of the camera because it's pretty light too. It doesn't give me a full charge but it can get me a couple of hours extra of shooting if I run low (as I am still on only one OEM battery). I imagine it would work just as fine with a Sony aX camera and they go for only 30 £ a pop on Amazon, I would get more than one and have spares in every bag. I used to keep all my images for years (but I did lose about 5 years at the start of my photography from a failed HDD with no backups, couldn't afford spares) but I have started to not keep images that have little or no value so I delete most of the images but the ones I want to keep. It has trimmed my library from tens of thousands of images to a few thousand over the last 5 years. Images that I do shoot for someone that asked me or paid for I do keep all of them.
A Video special about the details of your storage strategy and file/project organization would be awesome! I am wondering how you organize 10 years of pictures and editing. Bonus: If everything is in a lightroom catalog you are pretty much vendor locked on, aren't you?
10:26 BROTHER YES. I mostly shoot on Digicams so the jpegs are around 2~4MBs to 7~9MBs on RAW and i swear to God, the amount of memory i wasted on by dumping SD cards mostly comprised of blurred, unfocused, badly composed, boring and either blown out or trying to simulate cataracts just to look back and find literal gems is honestly terrifying. I've seen so many street photographers talking about gear, lenses, compositions, camera types and all that but NO ONE mentioned the terrifying, anxiety inducing act of deleting your photos. In my defense it's a great way to analyse your body of work, what works and what doesn't y'know? I like to do it when i get uninspired and begin to question myself about my "style" and if it isn't just a boring bunch of pixels trying too hard to be something (Yes it is). Its the act of shooting to amaze yourself later that makes me spend thousand of megabytes on _JUNK_ :)
So my way of dealing with anxiety about file loss is... I have an active sd card for each camera, from which I don't delete anything. (I have separate ones for video recording so it doesn't clog up, run out of space at inconvenient moments). Once the card is full, I use a new card. Filter process - I currently import everything into lightroom cloud (although I'm planning on introducing some culling software into the mix very soon) - I then star rate everything, but anything with missed focus gets rejected. - I then go through starting at 5 reducing down to 1, doing some initial edits to see if the photo "makes me happy", which gets chosen, or rejected depending. - When I need to clean out my cloud library, I go to a year thats been sorted, I delete everything rejected nostar, and export everything rejected with star via lightroom classic into a year's catalogue, and delete from the main synced library. I also have my cloud library synced to a local ssd. I have a server running truenas (so it uses zfs, and so should be more resistant to bitrot), everything that makes it through the first filter is backed up here)
I am a deleter. regularly. the option exists on most storage systems to recover things either accidentally deleted, or that one has had second thoughts about. also. every time you back the 'puter up whatever is on there is there. on the backup. a perfect time to free up space, *should you need to*. (given storage these days though, space is no loner the final frontier)
Totally agree and like you with not deleting anything 😄 I also have EVERY RAW from the last maybe 15 years stored on minimum 2 places... 😅 I'm scared as hell from deleting something important or usefull at some point in the future. On the other hand storage, specially harddrives, got that cheap over the last years, I think the time I now would need to sort out terrabytes with thousands and thousands of photos is not worth the effort. 😎
Thinking of buying an XT2 or XT3 along with a Viltrox 33mm f1.4. Still considering if the XT3 is worth the extra money, the video and AF features are very enticing. Since I do plan to use the camera for video, I think it would be best to get the XT3, but I'm still not sure.
Storage is pretty cheap nowadays. I copy the card to the hard drive, delete anything unsatisfactory (e.g. bird wings, head or tail cut off, blurry, blank sky or ground). Import rest into lightroom and keep forever. I tag photos with type of bird or specific subject matter and geotag any that i might not recognize location. Makes searching among 100000 images pretty easy.
The advice not to take a whole multitude of lenses on your photo hikes is actually a recommendation to take one single "super-zoom" along with you. How about a 24-600mm? Would be nice to have, wouldn't it? Unfortunately, this is no such animal in the zoo for FF or MFT. But for 1" there is. Built in. This is why I am on a bridge - the Sony RX10iv. That, plus an ND filter and a polarization filter and I'm done. Well, almost. I also have a couple of cables, a few batteries and a +3 diopter achromat to get in closer to the motive at the long end of the zoom. Apart from that, I have some extra flash stuff, soft light reflector, etc. But not on hikes.
I am fascinated by the folk who do not delete any of their photos. I find that I am lucky if I take and come back home with one or two shots that I consider anywhere near good enough to keep, and often I will delete everything I have shot because they do not represent in reality anywhere near the impression/experience that I have seen or felt when I have been out in the countryside. (My main interest is landscape photography). Being ‘out their’ and getting maybe a couple of shots to remember the day is more important to me than filling my computer with so-so pictures. We are all different I suppose!
All very sensible suggestions, James. May I ask, what length of rope camera strap do you use, I assume short, 70mm'ish by the way you fold it into a wrist strap ? Thanks.
For some reason your channel is a stress reliever for me... And nice to see another human being whose mind goes all over the place with photography. Yes - better to stay out longer. I have certainly found that the photos taken in the first hour at any location are the worst. Things improve after that. Maybe it's because you exhaust those things that make obvious subjects for photos. Plus the light may not be right for those subjects and you make a mental note to return at a different time/season/etc (and do you ever follow up on that?). But after that, maybe sit in the location and have a sandwich, and then look again. That's when you notice the not so obvious, or the strange thing that person is doing, or the contrast in colour of that poster with the background, or even the amazing caterpillar that tried to crawl over your shoe...
Hat. Baseball cap. Rain, snow and sun. Socks, comfortable. Shoes…yes! Work vest, for all the odd bits. Rain coat of sorts…proper clothing for the day. Maybe wind and water “proof” to maintain the urge to shoot. All the other stuff. Communication to the world (appropriate). Broken leg can be a problem. GPS to locate your way to the car park? Or find you I eventually will get found.
00:00 🛍 A good pair of shoes can significantly extend your photography sessions, making it worth investing in comfortable footwear. 01:04 🎒 Use small camera bags that prioritize easy access over bulkiness to keep your gear accessible and minimize the urge to pack unnecessarily. 03:09 📸 Resist carrying excessive gear; fewer options often lead to clearer decision-making and more focused photography sessions. 06:48 🎧 Headphones can help extend your shooting day by providing a mental break or motivation to stay longer in the field. 07:52 🌐 Consider a power bank for versatile charging options, reducing the need for multiple camera batteries and keeping essential devices powered throughout your shoot. 08:59 🔌 Carry a fast cable for efficient charging of multiple devices on the go, ensuring you're always prepared for extended outings. 09:56 📓 Use a physical notebook instead of a phone for note-taking to minimize distractions and stay focused on photography. 10:05 💾 Maintain a comprehensive storage system for your photos to preserve all your work, even if you might not use every image immediately.
Loved your "I don't delete anything " approach. I am always having that discussion with my wife who thinks it is silly to have so many on my external drive. But you never know when .....
Have you ever had a SD card fail and you lost all your work? I'm having the dilemma of a lifetime right now on which camera to buy. Not sure if I'll regret the Sony 6700 when I start doing client work and personal RUclips content.
Super small note: Those Lacie "rugged" drives are garbage. I dropped mine from 2 feet off the ground and now it skips and won't read. It happened last month and I'm still upset about it
I have a very small bag that my X-E4 only just fits in with an 18/27mm pancake lens, so I put the 'spare' lens (a 15-45mm) and phone in my pockets. Then when I get to a 'destination' I take the camera out and pop the lens and phone in the bag... with the spare battery and memory card.
When I taught photography in the late 80s students would turn up with their cameras in leatherette ‘ eveready’ cases. I told them all they were actually neveready cases.
As a long-time viewer, I find it necessary to point out that you only acknowledged one out of forty-seven camera bags.
😂
Just dont buy peak design side access and you should be fine
@@MrConna6why tho? im planning to buy one
@smeargtr8939 ive seen and heard them of them failing all over social media. Side access in general is risky at best, zippers can easily become caught and undone, forgotten about, or fail. That being said most of ehat I see from their brand other than their strap system seems like overpriced crap. The tripod was a joke for the price, the bags appear to be so too. I like think tank, they have been great since lowepros quality dropped a while ago, and for tripod legs you can't beat leofoto rn
@@smeargtr8939buy one. They’re great! Worked for a retailer that sold plenty of bags and I always said “if you like to have side access - go with the PD Everyday Camera bags.” And even though I’ve switched to a couple Nomatic bags, I still would recommend most (def not all) Peak Design stuff
I love how this started as “things to keep you out longer” and ended up at “I’m afraid to delete photos”. We love you James :)
Indeed! 😂 There’s a lot of personality in this guy and it shows.
Yup, storage episode with system, logic and set up would be an awesome addition. I wonder, which cloud is the best for a photographer...
I'd reckon clouds are best for landscape photographers, which they'd prefer I don't know...
Definitely Adobe.
Storage recommendations usually say, "Keep one copy off-site" and then they quickly move on. If you don't have family living next door, how should we think about off-site backups?
@@Mel-95 That is what Cloud services are for. I keep my active Lightroom folder in Dropbox which is backed up realtime
This x1000! Please do a storage vid!!
I'm a big fan of the afternoon nap. I find that if I plan at least a half hour nap around 1pm I feel regenerated and can stay out longer. Not sure if it's my age or just a habit, but I do find that it helps.
Fun fact: that is the way humans are built. We need a sleep at night and a short one during the day
When Greece eliminated the afternoon nap following the 2010 crisis, they experienced something like a 20+% increase in heart infarctions
I am a amateur photographer and a podiatrist! Great shout out for our profession! James always brightens my day…Just as he says Barefoot shoe are great, as are stiffer sole shoes with a supportive cushioning insole. Walking boots for those hills, a sturdy walking trainer for cities and gentle walks - hoka / brooks/ ASICS are all good choices. choose Sketchers with care - not too soft and bendy, as not enough support. Any foot or leg pain - see a podiatrist!
Definitely do a video on your storage set up!
Yes, please, I need this!
My peak design clip is one of my favorite accessoiries because I get to have my hands free while hiking without the camera dangeling from my hip :)
I love deleting photos! It's part of my process as a digital cleanse!
Same I love deleting photos too!
Personally I take it as me getting to play god. I pick which ones get to live in my USB and be oogled at and which ones get annihilated.
Very useful photography item in my opinion: microfiber cleaning cloth. Always handy to have around to clean lenses (and/or glasses) and they're re-usable! :-)
Check out the Carson stuff it pro - expensive for a single cloth but if you only use it when you’re out, you can also rinse with cold water and allow to air dry. I’ve had the same one for 7 years and it’s still working well. They’re fantastic.
@@ourhouseuk Thanks for the recommendation! I’ll look into it.
"There's not much we need as photographers"
...me looking over at the thousands of dollars in lenses, bodies, lighting, and rigging I've bought :(
LOL I think I may find myself in a similar position before long!
Bruh I just asked my dad "Yo dad, I can have this old brick, yea" and he went "Yeah sure" and now i have a 17yo camera. Though my dad propably relates to you with his ridiculous Nasa computer of a camera.
Makes me feel better that you never delete photos either, I'm exactly the same way about it. Some people are super judgy about it but my pictures are precious to me, that's why I take them in the first place! Would love a video dedicated to your storage setup.
You clearly don't shoot wildlife or macro focus stacks. I often burst shoot 4000 photos in a day. I delete heavily and only keep the best from the shoot.
@@youphototubewell yeah, that's a completely different situation/scenario. Plus, I'm pretty sure they refer to the photos that are good enough to edit, not literally every photo. At least if I can't find a good way of editing a photo, i just delete it.
Hi Sophia, James keeps every photo he takes. Foe me the art of photography is being able to sort out the good images from the bad. I delete most images I take and only keep my best. If they are family photos then that is a different story. @sofiamn_05
I don't think it has anything to do with being judgy. I've accidentally taken blurry pictures of my foot and the inside of my lens cap. Why would I keep those? And if you don't keep those either then you are exercising a certain level of discernment just like anyone else. Only the degree is different. I've never understood the compulsion to keep bad photos. Maybe I just take more bad photos than most people.
@@sofiamn_05he meant he literally keeps everything. Not something most should do.
An extra pair of dry socks usually comes in handy.
I've just moved to barefoot shoes and boots and they've been a total gamechanger for me. Saquaro barefoot shoes are superb value for money and their waterproof hiking boots offer me the grip and security for coming down hills that every other boot I've owned has failed to.
Loved to hear your point about taking notes on a notepad to avoid any distractions from your phone, that's actually what got me into photography in the first instance.
I really disliked keeping my phone out to take photos and finding i was always distracted by it. So i picked up a point and shoot 7 years ago, fast forward to today I'm obsessed with my aspc system and can't get enough photography content.
Peak design clip on the belt. Camera can't take photos in the bag but it also can't take photos if you drop it off a cliff or into the ocean or is getting stolen and sometimes you need to attach it to your body to free your hand.
Amateur here. Big thumbs up to the shoe comment. I also find lens cap leashes to be a game changer for the simple reason that if I'm not anxious about losing my lens cap, I'll take more photos. If you can find the ones with a loop instead of the sticky kind that's a plus. The sticky kind are a bit hit or miss with actually staying on the lens cap.
I actually use lens hoods to protect the lens so I don't have to worry about the caps until I put the lens back in the bag. Especially helpful as I am clumsy and tend to bang my camera around.
@@DavidSenteno Ooo that's a good tip. I don't have hoods for all my lenses but I kinda need them anyway. Could be a good motivator to get some.
Shoes are number one for me. I used to wear memory foam trainers, thinking they would be comfortable, but in fact walking boots are much more comfortable for 3 or 4 hours walking around.
A little First Aid kit can keep you going instead of bleeding all over your gear (been there, done that) or going home for treatment. I carry J&J knuckle bands ( they're large and flexible) and antibiotic cream.
Wow, haven’t heard any RUclipsrs say the cameras bags shouldn’t be called ‘camera bags and that cameras shouldn’t be in a bag. My Aunt told me way back when I was young that the camera should be it and ready to take a picture. This served me well when I was freelancing for newspapers.
i smashed the LIKE button @10:05 when the man said he doesn’t delete anything 🙌🏽 HALLELUJAH 🙌🏽 arkive/preserve, don’t delete/destroy 💫
James , I thought I was crazy for keeping all my raw files ... but going back to my African pics from 2021 for RUclips has made me a believer in saving since I have found shots that I totally forgot about ...and as my editing skills improve have turned into amazing "keepers" . Nice Video see you soon ! Cheers !
a video on storage would be great actually. i've been looking round for a good cloud backup storage solution to my physical backups but i just keep getting confused and giving up
got unreasonably excited when i saw you use the same powerbank I do. That thing is incredible
Brilliantly simple and simply brilliant!
Nice short video. I recently picked up the 6L peak sling just for this purpose. I also got the clutch so the camera is easier to keep in my hand. The one I had not considered is the sensor swab! I will add that to the kit. Thanks James.
I agree with you on not deleting. Takes too much time to go through. I don't delete my cards either. Once full I buy a new one.
You should try bone conduction headphones. Specifically the neanka runner diver pro or pro 2. I used them in my daily life all the time. Specifically to listen to music while still hearing everything going on in my environment. That way I can make sure I stay safe while being outdoors or in swamps/woods/beach. The runner diver pros are water resistant and can be used to swim with or in the ocean. They also have a built-in mp3 player that will allow you to put music on so you don't have to bring your phone with you or use your battery. My friend uses them to go snorkeling and record footage of fish. The battery's also last for 12 hours.
A really thought-provoking video. I have osteoarthritis and ache ...well, all-over really and carry far too much gear...so that is definitely being culled.
When it comes to straps the awesome thing is that they are super easy to make yourself. I find rope straps good for my medium format, but for 35mm slr I found that 8mm rubber robe is best.
I agree with the notebook! But I'd also suggest culling most notification and/or turning on DND by default (with the appropriate settings configured if you want to allow certain contacts to get through immediately.)
Definitely interested in a video on storage!
Me too!
James at about the six-minute mark you said you made a point about looking at a vista thinking you need a long lens but there being plenty of other shots at wider focal lengths you just need to look for them... would love a video on exactly that.
Yes please do a video on best way to upload to Mac and storage etc etc
I would add:
1. A hat to avoid sunburn and to shield lens to prevent flare, and
2. A mini-tripod you can put in a jacket pocket for those shots where you might want to capture some motion or put yourself in the frame. I have an Ultrapod with a Velcro strap you can use to mount it to small trees/poles and carry on your belt. It also fits easily in the Peak Design pouch.
Less is more. Good reminder James. My gear: best hiking boots, 1 camera body, with cage (so I can pick-up and use camera handheld), 2 lenses, 1 extra battery, basic cleaning kit, filters - maybe, 1 extra SD card, mono or tripod, and water; for close to home trips. That's it. Cheers to you and the wee clan.
There are two things in life that you must have, one is a decent pair of shoes and the other is a decent bed, the chances are if you are not in one you will most certainly be in the other! Yes if you are interested in photography then a camera will help and if most of your pictures only get as far as social media then a camera/phone will do! Thanks for all those tips James, oh I forgot I bought my camera bag in Spain it cost 5euro from a street market it holds just one camera with lens attached.... and you was right a camera is no good in a bag...thanks for that tip......take care.....
Yes please do the storage video 🙏🏻🙏🏻🎉
Thanks for all these tips and good advice. I have noticed that the older I get the weight carrying issue is becoming a real problem. I know what you mean about not deleting images. I can't do it either, and so have lots of portable storage units. A video on your storage systems would be really helpful and interesting some time in the future, when the rain stops play.
I always carry a SmallRig folding tool set for tightening those things that always loosen while out.
Oh man, your struggle with the paediatrician/podiatrist choice of words cracked me up! Always enjoy your videos, James.
The shoes are a good suggestion. I think this is often overlooked and I'd add comfortable clothing to that as well, particularly if you live or work in warmer environments. I used to wear only jeans most of the time, but found that by wearing more comfortable clothing in general, I was more willing to stay out and do things -- and part of this is just dressing appropriately for the weather, be it a heavier jacket in winter instead of trying to wing it with a sweatshirt and a hat, or just forgetting the hat and gloves and going out with just a jacket because I don't think it's that cold out and being miserable because it's colder than I thought. I mean there have been days where it has been rather cold according to the temp and windchill but because I dressed appropriately to be out most of the day, it wasn't that bad at all, but there have been other times when I didn't, and my photography outings lasted only about 1-2 hours because I wasn't prepared.
And while we're on the subject of gear I guess I almost say "no camera bag" if you can. I find that I'm more productive with just one camera and one lens and a few spare batteries and cards in my pocket, but no bag. This means tht I'm not carrying too much gear and am focusing on photography, not gear, but I guess this video was more about things photographers should buy, not avoid, but I think that by not carrying a camera bag and carrying less in general, you can enjoy your photography more.
I think the battery charger is a good idea but only for if you're traveling and may not have access to a charger on a daily basis, but one should still have at least one spare, because swapping batteries is faster than waiting for your camera to charge, unless you time it to say when you're eating lunch or dinner, but even then so you have to wait for it to charge, whereas a battery swap may only take a few seconds, and by NOT having to wait you can keep going and this is good particularly if you're on a roll with your shooting that day. Having to wait to charge your battery gives you time to rethink your plans for the day and may cause some people to think, well this is taking too long, maybe I'll call it a day.... batteries for the camera are small and one should always care at least one spare just for emergencies anyway.
I agree that it is good not to carry too heavy a bag. To this end I have switched to micro 4/3 and bought a 6 liter camera bag. I have made a rule for myself that my camera and all of my lenses need to fit in this bag. This accomplishes the portability objective. However you raise an interesting point about choice paralysis. Maybe I need to think about even smaller sets of gear depending on what I plan to shoot. I have started deleting more and more photos. One of the main reasons I have for deleting photos is related to choice paralysis. When I come back from a shoot I find I spend too much time time waffling over which photos to edit and to share. I have come to realize the relatively few of the photos I take are very good and I benefit from quickly getting down to the ones I want to work with. I realize I could do this with some type of rating (stars, flags, color) but even though this is somewhat counter intuitive I find it helpful to get ride of the unneeded photos and reduce the clutter on my hard drive. It is interesting that I have come to bring as all of my gear with me, but only keep the good photos. Your video has made me think about this.
Yes - please do a vid on storage!
All good advice. My camera backpack has recently been replaced by a 3 litre military waist bag. It means I need to carry the camera in my hand, but all my other gear needs to be the bare minimum. My back appreciates that very much.
One thing I started using recently is a GPS tracker app with a GPX export capability to geotag my images.
This was actually super interesting and useful, very much like. I'd love to see a video on storage management.
I wouldn’t mind hearing your thoughts about the vivo footwear as I’ve been looking at getting a pair for a while now :) idea for a future video maybe?
Converted an old tv box into a LAN server for storage for easy backup. Works pretty well considering I’m using what I’ve got
My top things and Im a very experienced trekker
1 Northface goretex shoes (goretex) NORTH FACE are the BOM
2 Epirb as a safety device
3 Food,,,,yes carry lots of bars
4 Goretex jacket (North face)
5 Wrist strap so you can just walk with it attached to your wrist ....burn your neck strap NOW!!!
6 Pannadol - if you get a headache
7 Getting fit does help and yes I gym a bit
8 small first aid kit
9 Tell someone where you're going ...always and when you're coming back
10 lots of water!
I've always said its not bad weather its just the wrong choice of clothing (the 5 Ps)...piss poor preparation = poor performance
good stuff dude! to summarize i think? shop around and find what you want at the moment lol. and you will likely evolve in your bag needs. bags are great
I've started wearing UPF goodies from Northbound Gear and I can't recommend them enough. They keep me cool and dry and keep the sun off of me, which means I'm far more likely to stay outside.
Hello James. I'm really glad you mentioned Etsy and camera straps, because I realised today that I need another camera strap. At the moment (well, ever since I started photography actually) I've used a neck strap. But just today I realised just how much my neck and shoulders were aching just carrying the damn thing! So maybe a wrist strap is the solution.
On stormy days, don't forget rain gear for one's self and camera.
Watch caps aka beanies for cold weather. You wear them often; do you have one or more brand recommendations?
I’ve gotten two camera straps off Etsy as well, and the one I’ve used the most is my wrist strap. It was tricky to attach, but dang if it isn’t *secure!*
For the headphones you use in ears, but I prefer on ears headphones. The one I use are the Tozo openbuds. They are great. When going out I still can hear the surroundings and they are very light and great sound. Give it an try and then love them. 🙂
Looking forward to the episode about storage. I have the same issue with old photographs keeping everything. Would love to know what process you use for your NAS, your mobile storage and off-site back up.
+1 on shoes that are comfortable for an extended period of time, and replacing them ASAP when they stop giving that long term comfort. I'm sure it was an oversight, but you never mentioned food. I always like to take some energy bars (Hornby or Clif are my favorites), and at least a liter of water.
Hello James, I like you philosophy's about very practical and useful conditions for photography. Very professional. Thanks for sharing your insights. Bert.
I know it's just a bit of a joke online (about British people mostly) but thank you for saying "bottle of water" at 4:14
Would def love to hear about your storage workflow. I have a NAS, a few ssds and such but it can be … overwhelming at times to get it all straight
9:18 RE: Note Book. Another suggestion would be a small digital Dictaphone instead of a notebook, that way you can just speak into it & listen back later (maybe while editing your photos).
Do a whole video on storage, yes, please!
For me, I finally arrived at carrying a very lightweight backpack instead of a sling bag. It's not camera designed, but actually a camelback without the bladder that was sitting in my closet for a decade. It has outside pockets for my water bottle which I previously didn't carry but it's important now (and I can't stand the camelback bladder thingies). I can throw my camera in the main compartment if necessary and I'm stopping for a meal, for example. And maybe one additional lens (or none) with some protective pocket thing, and a couple of batteries although one usually goes into my pants pocket. Plenty of room for a sweater (or jumper if you prefer) or extra shirt, if necessary. For travel, a camera backpack that has room for the necessities like snacks. Again, maybe one additional lens. That leaves at least six bags on my shelf...
Good advices, I am a bit opposite on some of the things you mentioned. I carry most of my lenses with me because I have a very curious and wide interest in photography types so I do carry my macro lens and flash with a diffuser, I do carry at least one telephoto/super-telephoto with me because wildlife is my main interest and I will have a standard fast zoom and/or a fast prime for landscape or portraits of my dog if she's with me. I pack either my backpack if it's a long hike or my most used bag: the Crumpler Quick Escape 800 which fits most of my stuff in and on my hip or on my back
I do have my Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 with me and listen to music 99% of the time (though if I focus on wildlife I will have 10-20% volume with sound passthrough) because I need them to manage my anxiety and absolutely mandatory if I am around people/in the city, else I would have a panic attack within the hour.
I hate camera straps and never wear them, but I have become used to having a hand strap and I started using the Falcam one because it's magnetically detachable a very quick release and the strap itself can loop around my wrist and has a magnetic point where the lock stays attached like an wrist band.
I don't travel far to need a large power bank (though I would get one when I can afford to travel) but I do have and use VERY often an Anker Nano Power Bank that has a built-in (pull-out) USB-C connector and it so small that it fits my Olympus OM-1 and it charges my camera while I use it, it doesn't even affect the balance of the camera because it's pretty light too. It doesn't give me a full charge but it can get me a couple of hours extra of shooting if I run low (as I am still on only one OEM battery). I imagine it would work just as fine with a Sony aX camera and they go for only 30 £ a pop on Amazon, I would get more than one and have spares in every bag.
I used to keep all my images for years (but I did lose about 5 years at the start of my photography from a failed HDD with no backups, couldn't afford spares) but I have started to not keep images that have little or no value so I delete most of the images but the ones I want to keep. It has trimmed my library from tens of thousands of images to a few thousand over the last 5 years. Images that I do shoot for someone that asked me or paid for I do keep all of them.
A Video special about the details of your storage strategy and file/project organization would be awesome!
I am wondering how you organize 10 years of pictures and editing.
Bonus: If everything is in a lightroom catalog you are pretty much vendor locked on, aren't you?
10:26 BROTHER YES. I mostly shoot on Digicams so the jpegs are around 2~4MBs to 7~9MBs on RAW and i swear to God, the amount of memory i wasted on by dumping SD cards mostly comprised of blurred, unfocused, badly composed, boring and either blown out or trying to simulate cataracts just to look back and find literal gems is honestly terrifying. I've seen so many street photographers talking about gear, lenses, compositions, camera types and all that but NO ONE mentioned the terrifying, anxiety inducing act of deleting your photos. In my defense it's a great way to analyse your body of work, what works and what doesn't y'know? I like to do it when i get uninspired and begin to question myself about my "style" and if it isn't just a boring bunch of pixels trying too hard to be something (Yes it is). Its the act of shooting to amaze yourself later that makes me spend thousand of megabytes on _JUNK_ :)
So my way of dealing with anxiety about file loss is...
I have an active sd card for each camera, from which I don't delete anything. (I have separate ones for video recording so it doesn't clog up, run out of space at inconvenient moments). Once the card is full, I use a new card.
Filter process
- I currently import everything into lightroom cloud (although I'm planning on introducing some culling software into the mix very soon)
- I then star rate everything, but anything with missed focus gets rejected.
- I then go through starting at 5 reducing down to 1, doing some initial edits to see if the photo "makes me happy", which gets chosen, or rejected depending.
- When I need to clean out my cloud library, I go to a year thats been sorted, I delete everything rejected nostar, and export everything rejected with star via lightroom classic into a year's catalogue, and delete from the main synced library.
I also have my cloud library synced to a local ssd.
I have a server running truenas (so it uses zfs, and so should be more resistant to bitrot), everything that makes it through the first filter is backed up here)
I am a deleter.
regularly.
the option exists on most storage systems to recover things either accidentally deleted,
or that one has had second thoughts about.
also. every time you back the 'puter up whatever is on there is there. on the backup.
a perfect time to free up space, *should you need to*.
(given storage these days though, space is no loner the final frontier)
I just found you and I love you. I feel seen.
Totally agree and like you with not deleting anything 😄 I also have EVERY RAW from the last maybe 15 years stored on minimum 2 places... 😅 I'm scared as hell from deleting something important or usefull at some point in the future. On the other hand storage, specially harddrives, got that cheap over the last years, I think the time I now would need to sort out terrabytes with thousands and thousands of photos is not worth the effort. 😎
Hi Jame, Great content, Keep it up !
Enjoyed your video thanks for posting 👍
It would be so awesome if Emily started responded when you say stuff like, ‘it’s ok; Emily won’t watch this.”
Thinking of buying an XT2 or XT3 along with a Viltrox 33mm f1.4.
Still considering if the XT3 is worth the extra money, the video and AF features are very enticing. Since I do plan to use the camera for video, I think it would be best to get the XT3, but I'm still not sure.
Where's your hoodie from James? Love it.
My usual comment: Has to be a great day when James Popsys puts out a new video.
I love deleting photos! It's part of my process as a digital cleanse!
Storage is pretty cheap nowadays. I copy the card to the hard drive, delete anything unsatisfactory (e.g. bird wings, head or tail cut off, blurry, blank sky or ground). Import rest into lightroom and keep forever. I tag photos with type of bird or specific subject matter and geotag any that i might not recognize location. Makes searching among 100000 images pretty easy.
Hi! Who’s the exact seller of the strap that you own? I just find other variants on Etzy and i just prefer yours!😄
My greatest memories from travels are from times I put my camera away (for any reason). There's more than life through a lens.
The advice not to take a whole multitude of lenses on your photo hikes is actually a recommendation to take one single "super-zoom" along with you. How about a 24-600mm? Would be nice to have, wouldn't it? Unfortunately, this is no such animal in the zoo for FF or MFT. But for 1" there is. Built in.
This is why I am on a bridge - the Sony RX10iv. That, plus an ND filter and a polarization filter and I'm done. Well, almost. I also have a couple of cables, a few batteries and a +3 diopter achromat to get in closer to the motive at the long end of the zoom.
Apart from that, I have some extra flash stuff, soft light reflector, etc. But not on hikes.
I am fascinated by the folk who do not delete any of their photos. I find that I am lucky if I take and come back home with one or two shots that I consider anywhere near good enough to keep, and often I will delete everything I have shot because they do not represent in reality anywhere near the impression/experience that I have seen or felt when I have been out in the countryside. (My main interest is landscape photography). Being ‘out their’ and getting maybe a couple of shots to remember the day is more important to me than filling my computer with so-so pictures. We are all different I suppose!
All very sensible suggestions, James. May I ask, what length of rope camera strap do you use, I assume short, 70mm'ish by the way you fold it into a wrist strap ? Thanks.
For some reason your channel is a stress reliever for me... And nice to see another human being whose mind goes all over the place with photography.
Yes - better to stay out longer. I have certainly found that the photos taken in the first hour at any location are the worst. Things improve after that. Maybe it's because you exhaust those things that make obvious subjects for photos. Plus the light may not be right for those subjects and you make a mental note to return at a different time/season/etc (and do you ever follow up on that?). But after that, maybe sit in the location and have a sandwich, and then look again. That's when you notice the not so obvious, or the strange thing that person is doing, or the contrast in colour of that poster with the background, or even the amazing caterpillar that tried to crawl over your shoe...
Honestly refreshing to hear someone who wears barefoot shoes basically say "I'm not a podiatrist, I just like them"
The goat strikes again!
Was going to make a comment about barefoot shoes, and you started talking about how you wear them. My man.
Hat. Baseball cap. Rain, snow and sun. Socks, comfortable. Shoes…yes! Work vest, for all the odd bits. Rain coat of sorts…proper clothing for the day. Maybe wind and water “proof” to maintain the urge to shoot. All the other stuff. Communication to the world (appropriate). Broken leg can be a problem. GPS to locate your way to the car park? Or find you I eventually will get found.
One more comment: I delete photos of my feet hiking on the trail. Oops! Those too.
00:00 🛍 A good pair of shoes can significantly extend your photography sessions, making it worth investing in comfortable footwear.
01:04 🎒 Use small camera bags that prioritize easy access over bulkiness to keep your gear accessible and minimize the urge to pack unnecessarily.
03:09 📸 Resist carrying excessive gear; fewer options often lead to clearer decision-making and more focused photography sessions.
06:48 🎧 Headphones can help extend your shooting day by providing a mental break or motivation to stay longer in the field.
07:52 🌐 Consider a power bank for versatile charging options, reducing the need for multiple camera batteries and keeping essential devices powered throughout your shoot.
08:59 🔌 Carry a fast cable for efficient charging of multiple devices on the go, ensuring you're always prepared for extended outings.
09:56 📓 Use a physical notebook instead of a phone for note-taking to minimize distractions and stay focused on photography.
10:05 💾 Maintain a comprehensive storage system for your photos to preserve all your work, even if you might not use every image immediately.
please do a storage and saving cycle video
Loved your "I don't delete anything " approach. I am always having that discussion with my wife who thinks it is silly to have so many on my external drive. But you never know when .....
Maybe a pen to write in your notebook 😂😂😂. Fascinating video as per usual, really like your minimalist approach.
Titanium Mesh Underpants. Essential gear.
Thanks. toronto canada.
Have you ever had a SD card fail and you lost all your work?
I'm having the dilemma of a lifetime right now on which camera to buy. Not sure if I'll regret the Sony 6700 when I start doing client work and personal RUclips content.
Super small note: Those Lacie "rugged" drives are garbage. I dropped mine from 2 feet off the ground and now it skips and won't read. It happened last month and I'm still upset about it
I keep a microfiber cloth in my bag, too. It is always there.
As for barefoot shoes, also try Saguaro which are nice and cheaper...
I have a very small bag that my X-E4 only just fits in with an 18/27mm pancake lens, so I put the 'spare' lens (a 15-45mm) and phone in my pockets. Then when I get to a 'destination' I take the camera out and pop the lens and phone in the bag... with the spare battery and memory card.
When I taught photography in the late 80s students would turn up with their cameras in leatherette ‘ eveready’ cases. I told them all they were actually neveready cases.
I generally delete around 80% of the photos I take; I just find that doing so works for me.