I have a two day shoot in Walla Walla, and it’s the first time I’ve taken my digital workflow on the road. I have been ramping up for this moment for months, buying gear and testing protocols. My first observation—I gotta pack a lot more stuff than I’m used to.
An essential tool for the road is a powerstrip. I have five things that need charging: camera batteries, digital wallet batteries, portable strobe battery, laptop, cell phone. I have a bag dedicated to powercords and USB cables. How the heck will I ever go camping again?
I birded and photographed my way across eastern Washington yesterday. The thing about digital is, you take a lot more pictures. My shooting is a lot looser. I filled up a 1gb card and then some. I have to remind myself to consider technique—plant a long lens on a tripod, don’t just go grabbing shots with a 200mm (which is effectively a 300mm). Watch for flare on the lens surface and shade acordingly, put on a polarizing filter, use mirror lockup.
In my motel room I looked over the day’s take. On every sky shot was a big black goober—dust on the sensor. Of course I had a bag full of multiple sensor cleaning tools, and I plucked the offending mote off with a Speckgrabber. I am so fortunate that I had the luxury of a day of shooting before launching into the job. My mind reels at the impact of missing this problem.
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