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Essential Travel Photography Gear: Keeping It Simple and Lightweight


When it comes to travel photography, finding the right balance between packing light and being prepared for anything is crucial. As a photographer, I’ve learned that simplicity is key, and that less really can be more. Over the years, I’ve refined my travel gear to include only the essentials, allowing me to focus on capturing moments rather than managing a heavy bag. Here’s a look at the gear I bring along for my travels: a lightweight carbon fiber tripod, a versatile Canon 24-70mm lens, my Canon R5 camera, and a few accessories that ensure I’m always ready for whatever the journey throws my way.


One of the first items I pack is a lightweight carbon fiber tripod. I’ve always been conscious about the weight of my gear, so I choose a tripod that’s both sturdy and compact. Carbon fiber is my material of choice because it’s incredibly light yet durable enough to handle most conditions. It packs down small, making it easy to carry without adding unnecessary bulk to my bag. Whether I’m capturing long exposure shots in nature or steadying my camera for architectural photography, this tripod is an indispensable tool in my kit.


For my lens, I keep it simple with the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8. This lens covers a wide range of shooting scenarios—from sweeping landscapes at 24mm to portraits or distant subjects at 70mm. The beauty of this lens is its versatility; it allows me to adapt to different environments without the need to constantly switch lenses. Paired with my Canon R5, I’m equipped with a powerful full-frame camera that delivers stunning image quality, fast autofocus, and the ability to shoot in almost any lighting condition. This combination ensures I’m always ready to capture the best shot without being weighed down by too many lenses.


No matter where I travel, extra batteries are a must-have. Whether I'm taking Vancouver Landscape Photography or out on a multiday hike extra batteries are crucial. The Canon R5 is a powerhouse, but its high-performance features can drain the battery quickly. I make sure to bring a few spares, ensuring that I won’t run out of power during a critical moment. Along with the extra batteries, I always pack a rain cover for my camera and lens. Weather can be unpredictable, especially when shooting outdoors, and having a rain cover ensures my gear stays protected, allowing me to continue shooting even in light rain or drizzle without worrying about damaging my equipment.


In addition to the basics, I also bring a set of filters to help with exposure control. I prefer Lee’s Small Stopper and graduated ND filters. The Small Stopper helps reduce light without compromising image quality, making it perfect for long exposures, while the graduated ND filters help balance the exposure between the bright sky and darker foreground. These filters are lightweight and take up very little space, yet they offer powerful control over my images, especially in bright or challenging lighting conditions.


In the end, travel photography is all about capturing moments while keeping your gear streamlined and practical. With a lightweight carbon fiber tripod, a versatile 24-70mm lens, the Canon R5, extra batteries, a rain cover, and a few essential filters, I’ve found the perfect balance between simplicity and preparedness. This setup allows me to explore new places without the burden of excessive equipment, so I can focus more on the experience and less on the weight of my bag.



Athabasca Falls at sunrise
Jasper National Park

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