Tips On How To Travel Light

Image source: spaceoptimized.com

Whether you’re a photographer out for a two-week shoot, a businessman on a week-long conference or a fresh graduate going backpacking for a whole year, traveling light is one of the best tips you can follow. Not only will this make moving from one place to another more manageable, but it also prevents you from bringing unnecessary items or clothing. Here are some tips on how to travel light.

Packing light starts with a smaller bag. If you have a bigger bag, you might tend to fill it up with extra clothes or things you think you might need for your trip. Limiting the space automatically stops you from overpacking.

Image source: jessicarosewilliams.com

Only pack things you absolutely need and get rid of any just-in-case material. Some people have a need to prepare for everything. Others just like having more clothing options when traveling. Just bring extra money to buy the clothes you’ll need for those special occasions, if necessary. The extra bag space you don’t use can also come in handy when bringing home souvenirs.

When packing for clothes, apply the Pareto Principle. This principle states that 80 percent of what you pack must be your clothing. The 20 percent can be your gear, emergency kit, shower kit, and so on. And keep in mind when packing clothes, focus on layers and not bulk.

Hi, I'm Randall Benderson, and I used to do photography as a profession, but now I’m doing it out of passion. Since my retirement, I ’ve been traveling the world to see the most beautiful parks and forests, and I wanted to share them through this blog. Subscribe for updates and handy tips.

Handle With Care: Tips For Maintaining Dslr Cameras

So, you’ve got yourself a DSLR. Whether it’s an old one or a high-end new release, it’s a must for you to keep your camera maintained for it to last long. Many owners (including some professionals) fail to take care of their cameras simply because they do not know how to do it. Keep your camera in top shape with these tips.

Image source: picturecorrect.com

Store your camera in a cool, dry place. Photographers love taking pictures of beaches because of the beautiful scenery. However, it is one of the worst places for cameras because of the humidity, which can ruin the imaging sensor and costs a lot to repair. Always keep your camera dry and avoid exposing it to extreme weather conditions. To prevent problems, store your camera in a padded protective bag.

Clean your lenses. Use a soft microfiber cloth to wipe off particles like dust, sand, or smoke that can ruin your camera’s lenses and body. You can also remove dirt by using sensor-cleaning tools that can be bought in a photography shop or online. If your camera needs serious, professional cleaning, bring it to the nearest service center for proper care.

Use caps or hoods as needed. Lens caps exist to protect camera lenses. Some photographers are all about putting the cap on when the camera is not in use. However, putting it on and taking it off often can take a toll on the lens. If you’re not a fan of lens caps, you can try using hoods, which also protects the camera from glares, dust, and more.

Image source: virtualphotographystudio.com

Keep water out of reach. Be careful around water as it can kill your equipment and memory card, too. If you need to carry it during a heavy rainfall, use a Ziploc bag and keep a microfiber cloth close.

  

Want to know more about photography? Visit this Randall Benderson blog.

Advantages Of Using Drones In Your Shoot

In many ways, photographers of today are blessed. Technology has made photography easier and more adventurous and to a degree, safer. Today, a photographer can take shots that would’ve been impossible 15 years ago. 

Image source : wp.com

Take for instance aerial shots from drones. No longer do photographers need to rent out planes just to get a bird’s eye-view image of a large area. Drones have given photographers a breathtaking perspective, which photographers can view from the ground. 

Because of the perspective provided by drones, photographers can now show people images in a way that they’ve never seen before. Whether they’re shooting a forest or a wedding, a drone overhead can shoot an image that people could only imagine. 

And yes, as mentioned earlier, photographers no longer need to rent aircraft just to get their aerial shots. This saves a lot of time and money, which to a professional photographer means a lot. Also, the mass production of drones means they’re becoming more and more affordable. 

Finally, drones offer a safer way to shoot structures. They can fly high and far, or near when photographers need them to. Just imagine if you’re a photographer and you need to shoot the side of the 80th floor of a skyscraper from the outside. 

Image source : pinimg.com

Hi! My name’s Randall Benderson. I’m a retired photographer. I now travel the world to capture national parks and forests. Follow me on Twitter for more photography updates.

Tools You Need For Basic Woodworking

What does a woodworker’s basic tool kit look like?  If you are keen on getting a headstart in this hobby, here are some tools and things to start off with.

It’s important to have a power jointer and thickness planer.  A power jointer efficiently flattens the faces of rough or reclaimed lumber, while the thickness planer saves a lot of time compared to most handheld tools.  A power drill or two are also necessary to have in your starter kit.

Image source: How Stuff Works  

There are different types of saw that are essential to have in your woodworking kit.  A circular saw performs rough dimensioning, particularly long rip cuts.  Hand saw, a router, and two router bits are all tools useful for cross-cutting, straightening edges, and cutting boards down to final width. Think of tools such as a crosscut saw, rip saw, backsaw or dovetail saw, coping saw, and hacksaw.

A jigsaw is another must-have.  It allows users to cut curved and circular patterns in stock, and although a band saw is more likely to be more accurate and a source of thicker stock, the jigsaw can be perfectly effective for beginners.  Don’t forget the random orbital sander, too, which uses hook-and-loop fastened sanding disks and employs a random sanding motion instead of sanding in patterns.

Image source: Built By Kids

Note that a good tool doesn’t go out of style, so it makes sense to go for quality at all times.  Some woodworkers will, in fact, tell you that some old tools can be pricier than new ones because of their caliber.

Randall Bendersonis a retired professional photographer from the sunny state of Florida. He likes traveling and exploring new crafts and hobbies. Learn more on this page.

Basic Etiquette For Taking Photos In National Parks

National parks offer a golden opportunity for beautiful pictures. But whether one is a professional photographer, a hobbyist, or a regular visitor who likes taking photos, there are do’s and don’ts to observe as a show of respect for nature and other park guests, as well as to make the most out of the experience.

                                    Image source: Pixabay.com 

Share the trail: Step to the side when taking pictures and show utmost consideration for other park visitors at all times, especially with big crowds or somewhere with limited space. Let others take their photo from the same good perspective that you enjoy.

Respect the wildlife: Do not disturb the animals in their home; they likely feel nervous or stressed out once they start looking at you or your camera or start to move away. If not using a long zoom lens to get a good look at them, consider including the bigger environment part of your composition to show their natural habitat.

Keep the noise low and the flash off: Appreciate the sounds of nature and respect other visitors by keeping noise levels low. Make sure to turn off your flash, too, as animals and people do not like to flash. As your best bet in low light, use a small tripod or use the camera timer.

                                     Image source: Pixabay.com

Check permits: Still, photography or personal filming does not entail getting permits. But if you are doing it for commercial purposes or if your photography uses models, sets, or props, then it’s only fitting to go to the park administration or visitor center to inquire about the necessary permissions to shoot.

Help conserve the environment: Properly dispose of waste and help reduce waste. Stay on designated trails.

Randall Benderson is a retired professional photographer turned world traveler who captures the beauty of nature one country at a time with his trusty camera. For more photography tips, visit this blog.