Jun 22, 2023
Whether you are a photography enthusiast, a traveling photographer,
a content creator, or a professional photo- or videographer, packing
for an outdoor photoshoot or a session away from your usual working
location means bringing a whole array of accessories with you.
This list can help you make sure you have everything you need to be
ready for any scenario and any shoot without compromises, wherever
you go.
Lenses and Filters for Different Shooting Locations and Scenarios
There is perhaps nothing more important to bring with you than
alternative lenses.
To be able to capture mind-blowing images or footage in any
scenario, any light conditions, with varying depths, you will need a
variety of lenses.
For instance, if you are setting off to capture portraits, you'll
probably want to use a 50 mm variant. For landscape shots, you'll
want a wide-angle lens with focal lengths ranging from, say, 16-35
mm ― though some can be as wide as 10-14 mm. For action shots, you
may want to opt for an altogether separate action camera or use a
16-36 mm lens. A 70-200 mm focal point lens may prove great for
wildlife shots or other subjects you may want to capture from a
distance.
Lens Cleaning Kit
To ensure the clearest and cleanest (pun intended) shots, you may
want to bring a lens cleaning kit. The key items can be collected
separately or bought in a bundle. Usually, it includes a microfiber
cloth or two, an air blower, a soft brush, special paper lens
tissues, and lens-cleaning liquid.
Don't skimp on these, and make sure you buy products marked as
suitable for lenses. A small mistake here can mean a scratched
surface of the lens, which can translate into smudgy shots, and end
up forcing you to splash quite a sum on a new lens.
Collapsible Tripod or Camera Stabilizer
If you can’t trust your hands with the stability required for
perfect shots, you will want to bring a tripod. It’s a great
accessory for taking shots of yourself or for shots requiring
stability ― for example, long-exposure shots. It’s also essential if
you’re looking to combine a few shots into one, and need a
consistent background.
For videographers who need to capture on the move but avoid shaky
images, a gimbal or some other kind of camera stabilizing mount is a
good option.
Either way, the quality of your photos or footage will increase with
something to help you steady your shots.
Camera Attachments
Plenty of accessories are available on the market to help you
capture perfect images and videos.
One such accessory is a camera flash. This attachment provides
needed lighting when you’re on the go and lacking the array of
lights available in the studio.
If your field is video, you may also consider an external
microphone. Again, your camera likely has one built-in, but for
clear and rich sound, you’ll want to invest in an external shotgun
mic.
Remote Shutter Controller
Many photo- and videographers need help with “pressing the button”.
When no other person is with you to provide such support, a remote
shutter is what you need.
This accessory is a must for those looking to take shots of
themselves, and it’s also useful for those looking to take action
shots or capture scenes when standing directly behind your camera
isn’t possible. It’s also great for long exposure shots, as it helps
you avoid camera shake when handling.
Spare Batteries and Backup SD Cards
When on the go, you need backup power.
First of all, to ensure your shoot doesn’t end abruptly because your
camera ran out of juice, make sure to bring a couple of charged
spare batteries. A power bank may also be an option, but just
swapping a battery to a fresh, charged one will be faster and more
convenient.
Lighting Accessories
Ensuring proper lighting when shooting can be a challenge—especially
when shooting outdoors. When natural light is insufficient, a
portable LED light or a light stick may help brighten things up.
This is a great accessory that can also be used to create highlights
or light-streak effects. You won’t regret having one in your
backpack.
Many creators also like to bring a pocket RBG light with them to an
outdoor shoot to achieve various light effect, such as sunset,
sunrise, campfire, or lightning strike. Especially since certain
natural light sources—fire, for instance—often don’t provide enough
light for achieving desired effects.
If you wish (and have enough space in the backpack), you can also
bring a light meter. However, the light meters built into modern
cameras prove good enough for most users.
Specialized Laptop
Your camera comes with a small screen that can help you take a quick
look at your shots; but when it comes to carefully evaluating or
editing your work in the field or after the shoot, you'll need a
laptop. And you’ll want to make sure that your laptop has the power
and features you need—such as those found in a creator laptop from
ASUS. ASUS laptops for creators come with a vivid, bright Lumina
OLED display that is Pantone™ Validated for color accuracy. They
also pack powerful CPUs and dedicated graphics cards so you can edit
and render, lag-free, wherever you are. And importantly, they
feature an ASUS Dial or DialPad—a rotary input device that can help
you quickly and intuitively adjust various parameters like color
grading or hue in creative software such as Adobe Creative Cloud
apps. These laptops also offer plenty of I/O ports (including a
built-in speedy SD express 7.0 card reader and a fast Thunderbolt™ 4
port)* to make sure you can easily connect everything you need.
Click the button below to see the best ASUS creator laptops.
Discover ASUS Creator Laptops
*available I/O ports may vary between models
Storage Options
Image and video files can take up a lot of space. You may notice the
available storage on the your camera shrink very quickly as the
shoot progresses. This is where additional memory cards come in
handy. If you’re recording videos, just make sure your SD card can
support the speed you need.
Similarly, when you start transferring the files to your laptop
during the shoot, you may quickly run out of space. That’s when you
will appreciate having an external drive. When shopping for one, go
for as much storage space as you can afford (1 TB or above is
recommended), and look for a rugged, shock-proof design. You may
choose an SSD if you’re looking for transfer speed, or HDD if you’re
looking for more space.
Fast-Transfer Cable
When shooting away from your workstation, time is money. Likewise,
when transferring files between your camera and laptop, speed
matters.
Often overlooked, a fast-transfer cable can make a huge difference.
It can enable you to see your photos or footage on a larger screen
directly, during the shoot, and it allows you to show the work to
clients immediately.
For this, you’ll need a device with a range of I/O ports ―
especially key is a Thunderbolt™ 4 slot, which is featured on many
ASUS creator laptops. To take full advantage of this type of fast
connection, you will also need a Thunderbolt™ 4 cable.
Don’t hesitate to invest in a top-notch Thunderbolt™ 4 cable. Also,
try to get a durable one—this way, you won't have to swap it for a
new one any time soon!
Bonus: Drone for Aerial Shots
As technology moves forward and becomes more affordable, drones are
something to consider ― especially since commercial and FPV drones
become ever-smaller and therefore more portable.
These devices can help you take shots from above and capture images
from perspectives that would otherwise be impossible. It’s an
amazing tool for action or sport shots, wildlife shots, or even for
capturing “behind the scenes” footage that your target audience will
surely appreciate.
Pack Right!
With this list, you can make sure you have everything you need to
shoot in any scenario or any location where your next adventure or
assignment may take you.
The last key thing to consider is how to safely carry all of your
gear. Of course, you can bring a backpack with a laptop sleeve and a
rain cover and a separate camera bag for your photography equipment.
Wouldn’t it be lovely to have it all in one place, though? For that,
you’ll want a peak design everyday backpack that was made with
creators in mind.
One great example of such is the
ROG Archer Backpack 17. This water-resistant roll top backpack allows photo- and
videographers to carry all their gear more securely, thanks to an
adjustable main camera compartment and a laptop compartment. It even
has dedicated tripod straps at the bottom, and its side straps can
be used to mount a drone or other accessories. With various gear
access points, including a quick-access side pocket, it’s very
convenient to carry and use your whole photography arsenal, as well
as bring all other essentials, such as a water bottle. Additionally,
chest straps help maintain top level comfort. Make sure to take a
look!
When you have all your equipment packed safely, you’ll be ready to
embark on your creative journey. Good luck!
Discover ASUS Creator Laptops