The Traveling Photographer: Junk on the Bunk

by jimcrotty | October 23, 2008 at 11:23 am

214 views | 5 Recommendations | 1 comment

With the economy in a tailspin and the cost of travel rising, pro nature photographer Jim Crotty presents a less costly alternative for those amateur photographers who still want to get out into the woods and capture landscape images. A return to basic camping and the benefits of staying close to home are reviewed as well as top tips and suggestions for making such trips comfortable, productive and enjoyable.

Like everyone else making adjustments during tough economic times, nature photographers (both pro and amateur) are trying to find less costly ways to get out into those scenic locations and beautiful landscapes, and as a result many are discovering or re-discovering how to pursue their artistic interests in areas much closer to home.

I would like to see this trend to continue, and not just for the simple benefit of others saving money but also to encourage an appreciation amongst many amateur nature photographers of one of the most important lessons that I stress in my workshops. More often than not, a photographer’s best shots are going to come from those places he or she is most familiar with. The backyards, rural routes, local metro parks, nature preserves and state parks of Ohio have proven to be bountiful resources for about 95% of the images that I sell as both prints and for stock licensing.

As proof I present the one nature/wildlife photograph that was published in both National Wildlife and Nature’s Best magazines as well as part of a year-long show at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington, D.C. - a photograph of baby House Finches taken just a few feet from the front door of my house in suburban Kettering, Ohio.

The misconception of so many amateur nature photographers is that they have to travel to the mountains or some exotic location far away to capture great photographs, particularly amongst those live in the so-called “boring” states of the American Midwest.

However, even when staying close to home - say perhaps the two-hour drive over to Hocking Hills - I like to spend at least two days, which obviously requires over-nighting. As any pro nature shooter will tell you the best light for landscapes is often just prior and during sunrise and during and just after sunset. That translates into easy access at the wee hours of the morning. Plus I usually like to have time to scout-out my shoot locations beforehand. It’s not a good idea to trust in blind luck that there will be perfect morning sun through a particular stretch of woodland or illuminated fall colors casting a crustal-clear reflection on still water.

In the past, most of my expenses associated with these types of photo shoots were my accommodations, whether it be hotel, cabin or bed and breakfast. Granted there were added benefits at staying at some of my favorite inns (I’d I’m sure I will be back), such as meeting new people at dinner, promoting my work, getting to know the owners, etc. But when it comes to time to check-out I just I always have a hard time looking at those numbers and throwing them up on the ‘ol plastic. A bitter pill to swallow.

Enter a new take on an old idea - camping ! I began to ponder this option more and more, and thought to myself “heck, why not - it’s not like I haven’t camped in the woods before (lots of camping in my high school days, boot camp, Indian Princess trips with my daughters, etc.), plus I won’t waste so much time in a comfortable room while the good light of early morning passes me by.”

Nearly all the state parks in Ohio have areas set aside for “primitive family camping” - meaning no RV’s, electric or flushing toilets. In Hocking Hills the fee for one of these campsites is $19 per night, which includes a nice, flat area for a tent, a fire ring with grill and a picnic table. It’s up to the camping photographer to come properly equipped, which means some investment in good camping gear up front, but an investment that will continue to pay off as more camping trips are made and hotel bills are avoided.

In fact the average cost of staying two nights at a cabin or inn can easily pay for all the camping gear required for a nature photographer willing to rough it. He or she just has to do some smart shopping, but also keep in mind that the uncomfortable or unprepared nature photographer is the non-productive and unhappy nature photographer.

With that in mind, I’d like to describe the camping gear (pictured with this post) I used on a recent two-day, fall photo trip to Hocking Hills State Park, in Southeastern Ohio. During that trip the temperature ranged from 70’s to low 40’s, as well as some rain on the first night, and during that time I was always comfortable, warm and dry. This image is my “junk on the bunk” shot - military-speak for when field gear is displayed for inspection. In actuality I was letting my gear air-out after the trip before packing it away.

Now I could go on about my camera gear and clothing, but for brevity and holding to the topic of this article, I am just going to highlight the necessities of camping gear for the traveling nature photographer.

1) Tent - always go the next size larger than your minimum size requirement, in other words, a two-man tent works perfectly when camping by yourself. I found a great deal at Sam’s Club on a Swiss Gear Hiking Tent for just $32. Kept the rain and bugs out, plenty of room, easy to set-up, lightweight - perfect. And here’s another tip. It had been a while since I had set-up a tent, so I practiced in my front yard before leaving on the actual trip, providing some exciting entertainment for my elderly neighbors.
2) Sleeping Bag - I suggest at least a three-season bag that is rated to keep a person warmer at temperatures down to 25 degrees. I found a great one at Dick’s Sporting Goods for about $25.
3) Self-Inflating Air Mattress - I probably should have listed this one as #1. Here again, found a great deal on dual-sided queen size at Sam’s Club.
4) Firestarts - Yes, Sam’s Club again - an entire box of smaller ones designed for camping trips. MUCH more effective at starting your campfire versus newspaper or wet leaves.
5) Lights and Portable Power - One simple flashlight doesn’t cut it, especially when trying to set-up a tent after dark. I have two items that I have found to be very helpful. One is the Panther Vision Cap I bought at the Eddie Bauer Store. This is a ball cap with two very bright LED lights built-in the brim. Kind of a modern day, casual version of the old miner’s hat with the candle. Also, about a year ago I invested in a Power Dome by Wagan Tech. A large, portable battery that produces 600 cranking amps and 400 watt ac. It also has built-in cables for jump starting a car, air pump for tires, compressor, ac outlets and a very bright worklight.

6) Cooler - and ice

7) Handcart - although my campsite was only about 20 yards away from where I parked, there were other campsites much further away from the parking area for primitive camping at Hocking Hills. Almost all the other campers were utilizing some kind of wagon or pull-cart for getting all their gear from their cars to their camping locations. A good idea.
8) Collapsing Hand Shovel - or what is known in the military as an e-tool. Good to have on hand just in case of various “emergencies” or to dig a drainage trench around the tent.
9) Portable Camp Chair - the kind you see all the parents carrying over their shoulders when going to their kids soccer games. A good one for camping will have a mesh seat for quick drying when it rains.
10) Cartop Carrier - I have a Honda Pilot, so I probably could have gotten all this gear, my camera equipment and clothing inside with the back seats folded down. However, I like to have easy access to my camera bag as well as have extra space available for camping trips with my daughters. For extra cargo carrying capacity I found an affordable, weather-proof cartop carrier that provided 15 cubic feet of storage area at Dick’s. Worked great on my factory installed luggage rack with crossbars, although it does come with clips for car roofs without racks.
11) Etc. - lighter, trash bags, Leatherman tool, can opener, camp dishes and cups, coffee pot and very long prongs for hot dogs/marshmellows

Some other, smaller items can easily make or break the camping experience. I always have a first aid kit in easy reach as well some “survival packets” in the pouches of my camera backpack. And speaking of backpacks I use to have a big LowePro Trekker Two pack, which was recently sold and replaced with the latest pack used by the U.S. Army. I customed-out the interior for my camera bodies and lenses. The reason for the switch is that I can get just as much in the army pack with a greater level of comfort when hiking. Plus that new digital camouflage pattern looks pretty cool.

Items in these kits, which I keep stored in plastic bags, include wind-up flashlight/radio, bandages, Balance Bar, whistle, mirror, pencil, Epi-Pen (I have allergies), sunblock, lip balm, insect repellent, Advil and toilet paper (yes, it has happened to me, and I lived).

This blog/article just goes over the basic external gear that I found to be very useful for a successful camping experience, and not just for the traveling nature photographer. I didn’t even begin to address the topic of suggested camera equipment for field use or attire, but starting with the basics for a comfortable, injury-free camping trip will go a long way when away from easy access to home, the mini market or the hotel lobby.

There was nothing more rewarding than stepping out of my tent in the early hours of a crystal clear autumn morning and to have an immediate contact with nature’s canvas and the glorious paintbrush of autumn light. There is a sense of fulfillment in venturing out of my comfort zone and reaching further into my art and my subject by foregoing a few creature comforts, not to mention the expensive experience of the check-out counter.

Then again, it’s not so bad either when I step into that hot shower at home after two days in the woods. But the results of this photography/camping trip speak for themselves.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon