My backpack

Every time I head out with the intention of taking photos, I usually pack my camera bag with everything I might possibly need in it and something that I will never need - like the kitchen sink! I have been lucky in that I haven't had to carry that bag myself, my long suffering husband carries it for me. Now I find myself planning a photographic trip to an island where I will be walking long distances and will have no one to carry my gear for me, so I am starting to think about what I really need on one of these trips.

Usually I find myself only using one lens and never taking anything out of the bag at all - so why have it? Fact is, I might want to change my lens, so I *do* need to carry the second one with me. I will need to have room for my lunch and sufficient drinks for the day as well. With my back still being so fragile I am thinking I might need to train myself to be able to carry the load prior to going on the trip.

The other thing I am likely to need is my tripod. The one I currently use is very heavy and solid. There is no way I am going to be able to carry that around the island. I am going to need one that is light and small enough to strap to my pack, yet strong enough to take the camera and big lens. Some research is required.

The next thing we need is good weather - there's a joke :) We will be flying to Auckland before getting a ferry to the island so I am hoping that we manage to get reasonable weather. But even if the weather turns to custard we will make the trip fun and I am sure we can find a Plan B somewhere :)