All photos by Lola Akinmade

Many professional travel photographers travel light.

This means, one camera body (two if they’re on assignment), 2-3 lenses depending on what type of photography they intend to capture, and a bag of extras such as batteries, memory cards, and sometimes an external flash system.

For many travelers seriously interested in travel photography, a key deterrent is the shear amount of extra gear they may need to carry.

Figuring out what next to invest in after lenses and their camera body can be daunting.

If you’re wondering what additional gear to buy at the moment – from filters to external flash units and other peripheral devices, consider these items below:

Tripod

Photographing a city or street scene at night can be challenging because at that time of day, the light is too low for the camera’s sensor to capture adequately and there is a lot of movement as well.

This combination of low-light and movement makes for blurry photographs.

By setting your camera on a steady surface to help eliminate any type of shake, you have a better chance of capturing a crisper shot of the scene.

From basic table travel tripods and Gorillapods to larger ones, investing in a tripod can help you diversify the types of photos you capture of a particular locale by including night shots.

Cable Release

A cable release system is a lightweight remote device that allows you to control your camera’s shutter button without touching the camera body.

Why this is a valuable tool is that, when used in conjunction with a tripod or flat surface to steady your camera, it helps eliminate any additional movement that you might inadvertently cause when trying to snap a low-light scene.

When buying a cable release shutter system, always check to make sure it is compatible with the brand and version of your camera.

Extra Memory

While filters can help you control some atmospheric elements of your photographs, personally, purchasing extra memory is more important.

Having an extra set or two of memory cards allows you to better focus on snapping as many photographs of that dynamic scene as you can without having to worry about storage or deleting already captured moments.

Community Connection

For more travel photography tips, visit Matador’s Focus on Travel Photography resource.

While Apple’s celebrated iPhone has become one of the most drooled-over objects in the mobile world, its camera has always left a little to be desired . The new 3GS has pumped the megapixels up to 3 (from 2) but there’s still a spectacular lack of features: no zoom, no flash, slow shutter reaction, a lack of sharpness and no in-camera editing or post-processing options are some of the failings.

But vex not. A number of apps on the market can dramatically improve your iPhone images. While we wouldn’t claim they will turn you into a ‘pro’ (though some people are trying their best), they can certainly get you acquainted with various ‘pro’ aspects of photography such as editing, composition and post-processing.

Obviously, a lot are more for novelty than anything truly creative, so we’ve road-tested and hand-picked a bunch that we think could be particularly useful for travel snappers.

Photoshop Mobile

Before & After shots of photos edited with Photoshop Mobile by author.

Since the iPhone has no in-camera editing facilities, you’ll have to download an app that allows you to crop, rotate, color adjust, apply FX and all the rest. It took them a while, but software giants Photoshop have finally brought a version of their celebrated software to the iPhone. Photoshop Mobile has just four main controls.

The Basics icon offers Rotate, Crop and Flip; Color offers Exposure, Saturation, Tint & Black & White (all simple, one-touch adjustments); Filters has Sketch and Soft Focus while the Effects option lets you make your photo Vibrant, Border, Pop, Rainbow and Warm Vintage at the click of a button.

While the Basics and Color tools are definitely useful, the Filters and Effects are quite gimmicky, which is perhaps a surprise given Photoshop’s status as one of the leading post-production software manufacturers. The program could also do with a Contrast slider. Then again the app costs nothing, making it by far the best free photo editor app on the market.

Price: Free

PhotoForge

Before & After shots of photos edited with PhotoForge by author.

More comprehensive is the photo/painting app PhotoForge, which ironically is more of a mini-Photoshop than the Photoshop app is. All the features are displayed at the bottom and top of the screen and you can easily access things like Rotate, Flip, Crop (5 different sizes) and Straighten.

There are Filter adjustments for Levels, Curves (you can adjust for RBG, CMYK, and CIE Lab), Noise Reduction, Auto Exposure, Manual Exposure, Brightness and Contrast and Sharpening.

The editing tools include Brushes (8 of them!), Smudge, Clone Stamp, Eraser, Magnify, Eye Dropper and Fill Tools. For quick-fixes there are several preset filters (Sepia, Lomo, Blur, Television, Neon and Dreamy). Not every tool gives excellent results of course, but the sheer variety allows for many creative options, and of course you get to mix photography and painting too if that’s your thing.

Price: $4.99

Picoli

Less in-depth but very useful is Picoli which has less features but handles what is has very well. Using simple sliders you can brighten, saturate, sharpen and adjust things like contrast, color balance and illumination. There are also various filters such as Sepia, Night Vision and Colour Dithering, and “fun” stuff like Posterize and Sunburn.

The normal $4.99 price tag is a bit steep when you consider the superior Photoforge is the same price, but the company are offering the program for $2.99 while they work on a new update, making it a worthwhile investment.

Price: $2.99 *reduced until new update is done

Other Articles in Series

iPhone Travel Snapper Apps Part 1: Replacement Cameras

Disclaimer – All apps above have been reviewed on the new iPhone 3GS. Please double-check compatibility of your phone if you have an older model.

Do you know of other iPhone Apps that provide image editing? Please share in the comments below.

Editor’s Note: To give you an idea of scale, the red arrow above points to an attached SLR camera, also circled in red!

When it comes to travel photography, lighter is preferred, but we couldn’t pass up checking out this behemoth of a lens by Canon.

Touted at the “largest and most powerful prime lens ever created” for an SLR camera, the Canon 5200mm lens reaches optical zoom ranges of 1000x. The camera is 6 feet long and weighs in at around 220-pounds. Its minimum focusing distance is 393 feet and it comes with a maximum aperture of f/14 that regulates how much light filters in through the lens.

The camera was first listed on Ebay with an asking price of $45,000.

Other specifications include:

* Focal Length: 5150mm
* Exposure Control: Light quantity is controlled with the use of built-in ND filters, corresponding to f/14, f/16, f/22, f/32
* Minimum Object Distance: 120 meters (Approx 393 feet!)
* Size: 500mm(wide) x 600mm(high) x 1890mm(deep) [20”x24”x75.6”]
* Weight: 100kg (220 lbs) without stand.

Check out this video to see the Canon 5200mm in action.

Due to its impressive size, its recommended use is for astronomy, space photography, and other sky gazing needs.

The new 3GS may have pumped the megapixels up to 3 (from 2) but there’s still a spectacular lack of features: no zoom, no flash, a slow shutter reaction, a relative lack of sharpness and no in-camera editing or post-processing options…these are just some of the failings.

Shot by author with ProCamera on iPhone

But vex not. A number of apps on the market can dramatically improve your iPhone images.

While we wouldn’t claim they will turn you into a ‘pro’ (though some people are trying their best) they can certainly get you acquainted with various ‘pro’ aspects of photography such as editing, composition and post-processing.

Obviously a lot of these apps are more novelty than anything truly creative, but we’ve road-tested and hand-picked a bunch that we think could be particularly useful for travel snappers.

Since there are literally dozens of apps please don’t yell at us if we missed any – but do feel free to mention your faves in the comments box below.

ProCamera

One of the ways of getting around the iPhone’s inherent limitations is to ‘replace’ it with a different system (don’t worry, your in-camera system won’t be deleted or literally replaced). There are a few on the market, but one of the best we’ve used is ProCamera (v2.5).

It has one of the best zoom systems around (5x) – one that actually feels like a zoom rather than a crop tool, and has a Steady Mode (which helps against camera shake), Composition Grids (that help you line up your shots), Timer (for self portraits, group shots etc.) and a Big Button, which turns your whole screen into a shutter.

The new features in v2.5 such as the Tilt Function (or Horizon Guide) help keep your lines straight and the video – which can be slickly initiated by shaking your phone – also help set it apart, as do the decent macro and low light / night shot results.

Price: $2.99 | BUY

Shot by author with CameraPlus on iPhone

Camera Genius

Another solid app is Code Goo’s Camera Genius (v1.7), which has similar features to ProCamera (Zoom, Timer, Anti-Shake, Big Button and Timer) as well as a selection of Composition Grids (quadrants, parallels, rule of thirds) that help with composition and alignment.

There’s also a Burst Mode that lets you fire three shots in quick succession — great for capturing fast action.

The handy Camera Manual feature offers a host of quick-tips on everything from focal points and lighting to perspective and portraits.

Price: $1.99 | BUY

CameraPlus

The third and final recommendation is CameraPlus, which is a buck cheaper than Camera Genius but still offers Zoom (4x), Anti Shake, Big Button and Burst Mode (which can be adjusted for up to 10 rapid-fire shots).

The downside is that there are less features than those mentioned above, and those that are included have slightly less flexibility (i.e. no adjustment option for the Anti Shake and less Grids to choose from).

Still, it’s certainly not bad for less than a dollar.

Price: $0.99 | BUY

Disclaimer

All apps above have been reviewed on the new iPhone 3GS. Please double-check compatibility of your phone if you have an older model.

In essence, test driving the lens without leaving your laptop.

The Nikkor Lenses Simulator provides a slew of settings and functions that allow you to customize your camera with different optical options before buying additional lenses.

First, you choose your base Nikon camera. Current cameras supported within the simulator are FX formats: D3x, D3, and D700 and DX formats: D90, D300s, D5000, D3000s. Once a camera is selected, you can slide a bar across various focal lengths from 10mm to 600mm or pick the exact Nikkor lens to try from a selection of wide-angle, macro, fixed, telephoto, and zoom Nikkor lenses.

This capability allows you to distinguish between the effects of multiple lenses. For example, a wide-angle versus telephoto lens or a macro versus fixed lens and many more combinations. You can also test out different sensor formats and change your angle of view.

The lead picture above of Amsterdam depicts a photo shot using a wide-angle lens at a focal length of 10mm. The shot below is from the same photograph but it depicts a telephoto zoom length of 600mm.

Here, you can get right onto the balcony and make out nitty-gritty details such as the lounging woman, the red book she’s reading, and what she’s wearing.

As a photographer who swears by Nikon cameras, this is hands down one of my favorite photography-related finds of 2009.

Photo by Unhindered by Talent

Jay Reilly, a commercial/ editorial photographer with a client list that includes the likes of Nike, Sony, Hyatt, and Conde Nast, rounded up some of his favorite coffeetable/photo books over on his blog.

Making his list are The Photo Book by Phaidon, The Polaroid Book by Taschen, Metro by Larry Yust, and No Particular Order which features Gilles Bensimon’s Photography.

He touts The Photo Book by Phaidon as:

…a fantastic collection of any and all photographers that have made serious contributions to the art and evolution of photography.

All in alphabetical order, not one more important than the other, but very insightful, inspiring and collective.

These are photographs that matter.

Anything from art, journalism, fashion, portrait… images that stop you in your tracks and you want to know more.

The nice thing is there is some layman insight to the images included that does give you just enough to move on to the next one.

But in many cases leaves you wanting to know more about the image and the photographer….Jay Reilly.

For more inspiring book ideas, check out Matador contributor and photographer Ryan Libre’s roundup of 10 Photography Books You’ll Never Get Tired Of.

The newly released EX-G1, first in Casio’s new EXILIM® brand of digital cameras, is built to endure shock, water, dirt, and frigid temperatures, all wrapped up in a slender 0.78 inch package.

According to the press release, the company is determined to “create digital cameras suitable for top athletes and adventurers.”

The shell passed drop tests from seven feet during testing, can be used underwater for up to one hour, and will function in temperatures down to 14°F.

Full features include:

• Slim-line Design with Toughness Construction
• Shock resistant/waterproof construction and design
• BEST SHOT® functions befitting a waterproof, shock-resistant camera
• 12.1 effective megapixels
• 2.5-inch monitor with 230,400 dots of high resolution and a non-extending 3X zoom lens ranging from 38-114mm (35 mm film camera equivalent)
• Intelligent AF
• Advanced Dynamic Photo function
• Wide Screen Movies

With a slick look and tough skin, this camera is perfect for photographers who seek out more extreme shots.

Price: $299.99

Photos courtesy of SoSauce

It’s true hard-copy photo albums are quickly being replaced by digital albums on online platforms such as Flickr and Picasa. However, nothing replaces that nostalgic feeling we crave while flipping through a thoughtfully prepared photo album in hand.

So travelers are now turning to publishing outlets like Blurb to print out coffee-table books of their travel photography.

There are numerous photo printing sites out there but what makes Sosauce worth checking out isn’t just its extensive (and impressive!) catalog of photo products such as prints, frames, posters, canvases, and other novelty items (luggage tags, magnets, and playing cards) at competitive prices.

It isn’t just the fact that Sosauce provides you unlimited storage for $19.95/year to upload, store, organize, and manage your high resolution travel photo albums with over 250,000 user-generated photos currently online.

Photos courtesy of SoSauce

What caught my eye was Sosauce’s commitment to environmentally-safe and responsible products with its line of Eco friendly products – Eco Note Card, Eco Folded Cards, and Eco Notepad ranging in price from $7.95 to $24.95 per pack.

They’re made from high-quality, heavy-weight, 30% recycled material that is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified.

Kudos, Sosauce!

And from now until Friday, November 20th, Sosauce is also running a postcard contest titled “Decorate Our New Digs!” which so happens to be one of the few contests I know that actually gives you free prints and more just for entering.

From Sosauce:

We’re looking for saucy travel photos turned postcards that create a sense of place with breathtaking images of people, architecture, and landscapes. Our postcard contest is open to all travelers.

Make sure you check out Sosauce and also upload some travel photos into its postcard fun contest.

Photo by ginnerobot

Unless, of course, you’re getting yourself in some awkward positions to get that great shot. In which case, contort away. But I’m talking about neck and shoulder pain from carrying a heavy camera, especially if you’ve got a big telephoto lens attached.

Factory camera straps don’t cut it. They’re rigid, unforgiving, and uncomfortable. Plus, the massive “Canon” or “Nikon” scrawled all over them just scream out, “look at me! I have an expensive camera!”. Granted, the camera itself does a fine job of yelling it out, but if you’re walking with it tucked deftly behind your back with a plain looking strap, no one is the wiser coming from the front.

I recently picked up an Op/Tech Super Classic camera strap after reading that its unique construction makes cameras feel 50% lighter and 100% more comfortable. I can happily report that it’s not just a gimmick. The stretchy neoprene distributes the weight across the strap, an ergonomic godsend. The underside is made with non-slip material so the camera can’t slide around on your shoulder.

Quick release clips make it easy to go stealth if you want to lose the padded shoulder bit (I can’t really think of a reason to do this, but hey, it’s an option). They’ve cleverly alternated the clips so that you can clip together the straps with the shoulder bit removed to make a smaller strap.

Perhaps the best part is that these are made 100% in the USA. For the low cost, it could be the best bang-for-your-buck piece of camera equipment you buy in a long time.

Gorillapod Original

The one that started it all. The Gorillapod Original’s flexible legs make it different from any other tripod on the market.

Wrap, bend, and twist to get your compact digital camera (up to 11.5 oz) in pretty much any position.

The rubberized ring and foot grips help the Gorillapod grab onto any surface, and the quick-release clip and lock ring keep your camera connected and safe.

Gorillapod SLR

For lightweight SLR cameras and camcorders (up to 1.75 lbs), the Gorillapod SLR helps get the right angle for that perfect shot. The legs are made up of over two dozen joints, which band and rotate 360°.

Gorillapod SLR-Zoom

This one’s for the pros: the Gorillapod SLR-Zoom holds camera equipment weighing up to 6.5 lbs. The joints are made from high quality injection molded plastic which won’t wear out from lots of use.

A 3/8″ adapter screw is included to mount cameras and professional tripod heads. For an even wider range of shots, pair this one up with the Joby Ballhead.

Gorillapod Focus

The big boy of the bunch. The Gorillapod Focus can handle equipment up to 11 lbs with ease, thanks to machined aluminum sockets and high quality injection molded thermoplastic joints. This one also includes the 3/8″ adapter screw.

Visit Joby.com for more.

New from camera giant Nikon is the sleek Coolpix S1000pj camera which – you guessed it – comes with an in-built projector. Touted as the world’s “first camera with an ultra-small, built-in projector”, this 12.1 megapixel Nikon Coolpix S1000pj comes with a 5x wide-angle zoom Nikkor lens and a hybrid vibration reduction (VR) system that minimizes shakes using two stabilization techniques – optical and electronic.

More technical features include:

* Motion Detection which automatically detects moving subjects and adjusts shutter speed and the ISO setting to compensate for camera shake and subject movement.

* High ISO up to 6400 capability which helps give you sharper results when shooting in low light or capturing fast-moving subjects.(ISO 300 and ISO 6400 are available at 3MP or lower resolution.)

* Nikon’s original Best Shot Selector (BSS) which automatically takes up to 10 shots while the shutter is pressed and saves the sharpest image.

With its tiny projector, you can project images up to 40 inches in size for 1 hour from a maximum distance of 6ft 6 inches.

Pretty sweet for a hand-held gadget.

It uses EN-EL12 batteries and also includes an audio-video cable, a projector stand, and a remote control in addition to the basics (charger, software, USB cable).

Would love to get my hands on one of these for a detailed video review.

Price: $489.99 | Pre-Order on Amazon (Drops on September 20)

Feature photo: Luke Armstrong. Photo Above by Lola Akinmade

Gear costing thousands of dollars can be rendered useless quite easily. Accidents like these happen and when they do, they can tarnish trips. By putting a little forethought into how you pack your camera gear and adhering to the following suggestions, you can avoid looking at the sad sight of a cracked lens.

Checking In Camera Gear

Checking in cameras at the airport is generally a bad idea. Baggage handlers are experts at breaking even seemingly unbreakable things. If your amount of gear forces you to check in your camera gear, careful attention should be paid to how you pack it.

• Roll all items in several layers of bubble wrap. This will serve to absorb impacts that are sure to happen along the way. Additionally, you can pop the bubbles to celebrate when your gear arrives at your destination undamaged.
• Put all your camera gear in a bag specifically designed to carry expensive electronic gear. They should be packed in such a way that there is little space for your items shift around. T-shirts are perfect space fillers and offer added protection and padding.
• The camera bag should be placed away from firm and jagged objects that could knock against and damage your gear.
• Be sure all lens are covered. As some lens caps easily slip off, it is a good idea to use masking tape to secure the covers.
• If you’re old school enough to still be using film, make sure to hand-check it as X-ray machines might erase your pictures.

Loading Camera Gear In Your Bag

Constantly wrapping your gear in bubble wrap and unwrapping while traveling is inconvenient, but there are other precautions that can be taken. Keep your gear towards the top of your pack. This is handy for quick access and also shelters cameras and lens from weight that could damage them.

Price: $149.95 | BUY

The bag that you select for your camera should be waterproof. LowePro has a line of waterproof camera bags in various sizes and styles. Select a bag with enough compartments to keep your gear organized.

Overstuffing a camera bag is a great way to damage items. Lenses stored vertically tend to fare better than when stored horizontally.

Packing gear such as memory disks and batteries in Tupperware helps keep it safe and keeps out the moisture.

If you have a camera with multiple lenses, be sure to remove the lens from the camera when not shooting.

Frequently check straps for wear. A broken strap can easily lead to a broken camera. If you camera gets wet – as tempting as it is to turn it on to see if it works – don’t.

Running a current through it while wet can permanently damage the circuits. Instead, be patient. Open the battery slit and let it dry in an arid place for at least 24 hours before trying to turn it on.

By following this advice, you will be sure to have fewer headaches and heartbreaks caused by damaged gear.

GoPro

Two years ago I was picked up by GoPro as an athlete and have been working closely with them for that amount of time. At a retail price of $189 the GoPro Hero Wide is the best bang for your buck. This camera can shoot video or pictures that are easily stored onto a SD card. Below is footage I shot using this camera:

The lens has a 170-degree wide angle so you get an amazing perspective when using it in action. There isn’t another camera that shoots as good of footage for the small amount of money you pay for a wide-angle helmet cam.

VIO POV 1.

For this past year or so I have been kayaking for an online company Helmet Camera Central based right out of my hometown, Mt. Shasta. This company specializes in helmet cams and has great gear reviews as well as product videos.

The first camera I got from them is the VIO POV 1. This is an amazing piece of equipment and probably the highest quality footage you can get for under a thousand dollars. Although this camera retails at $650 the footage speaks for itself and is DVD quality.

This product has a killer clip reviewer system so you can see what you shot directly after you shoot it.. Out of all the waterproof cameras I have tried, this is the best, but is an expensive piece.

The big “little” brother to this camera is the POV 1.5. This recently released upgrade is a smaller camera with just as good footage. The camera head was made smaller and the wire is fully attached in the back of the camera (not a interchangeable wire like the POV 1).

I have found this to be a problematic design because I have personally went through 3 POV 1.5 heads this season. Since it’s fully attached in the back of the cam, if the wire gets twisted than the metal prongs going into review housing all bend with the twist of the wire, ruining camera connector.

Contour HD by Vholdr

The final latest helmet cam to talk about is the brand new Contour HD. This is one of the first cameras to be shooting in full HD and I have to say the footage is amazing. I got to try out this new cam riding my downhill bike in Northstar this past weekend and was very impressed with the contours design.

It has a very helpful beeping system to let you know when it turns on, off, or begins recording. It comes equipped with a laser leveling system to make sure your shooting straight and an adjustable lens if you want to mount the camera upside down or whichever way.

This camera retails around $299 and is worth every penny. Hands down the best camera for biking but since its only water resistant it is not the best candidate for water sports. There is talk of a waterproof housing coming out for it but until this product is fully waterproof on its own, it wont be the premier waterproof helmet cam.

Overall, there are many helmet-cam options out on the market so be sure to do your homework before committing to one or another. Helmet Camera Central has all these products mentioned and much more. HCC’s review section has helpful insight and product demos to make that final decision. It’s important to remember to have a camera on your head before you huck because then your friends have to believe you; it cuts out that unbelievable factor.

Community Connection

Check out some of the most incredible helmet cam footage on the internet.

Photo by sugar cookie

It’s tough to travel light with a serious camera and accessories, but the Mountainsmith Quantum Pack makes it simple. In addition to being roomy enough for a full day’s worth of gear, this bag comes with a detachable SLR case built right in.

The water resistant pouch holding your DSLR is attached by a zipper to the top of the backpack for easy access. You can also unzip the main cavity to reach your other gear and accessories without removing the camera case.

This backpack features back panel access, removable storm cover, waist straps, an adjustable sternum strap, and tuck-away side compression straps that double as tripod leash points.

The inside of the Quantum Pack is roomy enough to fit a change of clothes and a laptop along with your DSLR- maybe not ideal for an overnight trip, but great for a day of hiking or exploring the city.

Mesh pockets on the sides and a large front pocket add space for smaller items, and extra padding on the back make this bag a comfortable fit.

Price: $98.95 | BUY

Photo by Lola Akinmade

Sure, a solid point-and-shoot camera such as the Panasonic Lumix can more than cover your photography needs. However, if you’ve purchased a digital single-lens reflex camera (digital SLR or DSLR), be sure to pick up at least two of the three lenses listed below to get more mileage from your gear.

Telephoto Zoom Lens

Your new DSLR camera usually comes with a 18-55 mm kit lens.

While sufficient for most portrait photography situations, within a few months, you’ll notice a hankering for something that can zoom out much further – a zoom lens of sorts.

Lenses such as the 55-200mm pick up where the 18-55 mm lens stops, but a better option is the 18-200 mm telephoto zoom lens which combines both into a single body.

So instead of dragging along two telephoto lenses, you pack only one.

Wide Angle Lens

Most professional travel photographers use wide angle lenses and you’ll see why once you try it out.

Wide angle lenses capture everything within your peripheral vision and much more, pulling you right into the midst of the scenery – whether it’s a concert, market scene, or festival.

An affordable ultra wide angle lens is the Sigma 10-20mm, which is at least 60% cheaper equivalent than its Nikkor 14-24mm equivalent.

Can’t tout the benefits of an ultra wide angle lens enough.

Fixed Lens

A fixed lens means it doesn’t allow you to zoom in or out. What you see through the viewfinder is what you get.

At under $150, the Nikkor 50mm F/1.8 is the perfect lens for low light situations which do not require flash, such as night photography and dimly lit rooms.

So if you’re heading out at dusk or night, this is the only lens you’ll need to ensure great night photos without using a tripod.

Library of Congress Photo retouched by 20after4

Montana: Portrait of a State

This catalog of vivid photographs shot by musician-turned-photographer Vasapolli covers rustic landscapes of the state including Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks.

Price: $11.53 | BUY

The Montana Cowboy

A powerful photographic essay that takes us behind the scenes of life as a cowboy on the range and the century old history behind this iconic slice of Americana. This collaborative effort pairs photographs taken by David R. Stoecklein with narrative text written by Pat Dawson, a native of Montana, and illustrations from renown artist, Buckeye Blake.

Price: $42.00 | BUY

Montana: A Scenic Treasure

In Scenic Treasure, Photographers John Lambing and Wayne Mumford go in search of hidden Montana – its remote lakes and scenery, historic monuments, and “elusive wildlife”.

Price: $16.47 | BUY

Montana Wildlife Portfolio

Wildlife photography requires an inordinate amount of patience and for photographer Donald M. Jones, it pays off in this collection of over 140 color photographs spotlighting Montana’s varied wild animals in their habitats.

Price: $18.96 | BUY

Photographing Montana 1894-1928

For vintage shots of early Montana, this book with more than 150 of Evelyn Cameron’s photographs shows early pioneer settlements within the state. The shots include landscapes, farms, cattle and horses, and other glimpses into turn-of-the-century lifestyle.

Price: $25.55 | BUY

Photo by Terence Carter

I’ve had a few comments and a number of emails from my fellow Mac-wielding travellers about backing up and not freaking out. It’s really quite simple and not techy to make sure that you don’t lose those valuable photos, emails and music.

So here is a brief rundown of how I plan for disaster.

Lacie FireWire Drive

My MacBook Pro is backed up automatically every night to a Lacie FireWire drive. Of the current range, this model sounds about right. I back up using software called SuperDuper!, which is excellent.

Why do I use FireWire? Because you can plug the backup into another computer and run the backup as if you were on your own machine. In other words, if the hard drive fails in your Mac, you can actually start up and run your Mac from your backup.

Brilliant. Unless you have a new MacBook or a MacBook Air which don’t have FireWire anymore.

Shame Apple, shame.

But wait, there is another solution.

Western Digital Passport Drive

The red hard drive you can see there is a Western Digital one. I do prefer Lacie, but they’re not always so easy to find. This drive also backs up my Mac using Apple’s own Time Machine software that comes with the latest operating system and with all new Macs.

It backs up every hour, but only updates what has been changed on your Mac. What is great about this is that if you accidently delete a file or folder, you can ‘turn back time’ (yes, you now have that horrible Cher song in your head, no need to thank me!) and retrieve the files.

Pretty darn simple. And it’s the kind of thing that makes Apple so much better for people who just want to get things done rather than play around with computers.

The darn software even asks you if you want to use the drive you’ve just plugged in as a Time Machine backup – couldn’t be simpler and it leaves you with no excuses for not having a backup strategy.

The other two drives on the right are for the current photography projects that I’m working on. I’ll buy two drives, one as a backup, and I get SuperDuper! to back those up every night as well.

Blank DVDs

I also burn all my photos to DVD on the road as I import them to the working drive.

This generally means me being up at ungodly hours labelling DVDs and watching far too much late-night television and occasionally lapsing into some self-hate by raiding the mini-bar.

But we all have our challenges in life.

After the photos are backed up on DVD, I then import them into Apple’s Aperture where I do all my photo sorting and much of my photo editing.

Think of it as iPhoto on steroids.

So, if you’re not currently backing up your Mac, do yourself a favour and spend $100 on a backup drive.

You can thank me later.

And no, none of the above companies pay me a dime to talk about their products.

About Terence Carter

Australian-born and Dubai-based, Terence Carter is a travel and editorial photographer and travel writer.

He’s authored more than 40 guidebooks for the world’s best travel publishers, many of which he’s also photographed.

Assignments in the last twelve months have seen him making still pictures everywhere from the south of Italy to the Red Centre of Australia.

He also maintains a blog – Wide angles, wine and wanderlust.

If you’re seriously interested in travel photography, you probably need to add a solid wide angle lens to your kit if not already in there.

Perfect for capturing scenery, cityscapes, market scenes and pretty much any situation with activity, wide angle photographs pull you right into the midst of the action.

Its no wonder, according to professional photographer Jim Richardson, most National Geographic photographers prefer wide angle lens for capturing those award winning and visually stunning shots.

That said, vendor specific wide angle lenses like Nikon Nikkors can definitely break the bank in terms of price, but vendors like Sigma come out with comparable topnotch lenses that cover at least 99% of the same functionality at half the price.

The Sigma 10-20mm ultra wide angle lens (the much cheaper equivalent of the $1,650 Nikkor 14-24mm Wide Angle Lens) has a silent Hyper-Sonic Motor (HSM) for high-speed autofocus.

In our What’s In Your Backpack Series, professional photographer Ryan Libre also touted the benefits of carrying this ultra wide lens, and I personally travel everywhere with mine.

Its Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements help compensate for color aberration, and it measures in at 3.3 inches round by 3.2 inches long with a weight of 16.4 ounces.

Comes with a one (1) year warranty.

Price: $429.00 | Sigma for Nikon | Sigma for Canon

If I had to choose one item to never forget while traveling, it would have to be my camera.

Photo by Silvio Tanaka

A good digital camera not only documents your journeys, but also allows you to relive trips over and over again with friends and loved ones once back home.

With affordability in mind, I’ve compiled a list of the top 5 point-and-shoot digital cameras under $300.

Nikon Coolpix S60

This brilliant new model is at the top of our price range with a manufacturer’s price of $299.99. Small and compact, it is loaded with state of the art features including an anti-glare 3.5 inch Touch Screen which sets it apart.

You can browse through pictures or add subtitles right on top of photos with the touch of your finger. It even has a feature that allows you to select the focal point of each picture by clicking an object on the screen.

The camera then ensures that object is focused upon for a clean, crisp photo.

The S60 offers 10 megapixels, a 5x optical zoom, and Nikon’s latest in fast image processing to guarantee you won’t miss a shot.

Kodak Easyshare Z1012IS

If packing space is no issue, then this camera is for you. The Kodak Easyshare Z1012 combines the digital quality benefits of an expensive professional camera with a low cost of $249.99

While it is larger than other cameras on this list, you will come back with amazing shots.

The main feature of this unit is its 12x Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon optical zoom lens. Think something is way too far away to capture? No way!

With this camera, you’ll never miss a detail. Its huge zoom range, 10.1 megapixel quality, and the overall ease of Kodak products make this a sure winner.

Samsung S860

At $99.99, the S860 combines Samsung quality with a well-rounded camera at a price for the true budget traveler.

It provides 8.1 megapixels, a 3x optical zoom, and a 2.4 inch screen.

While the other cameras on the list have built-in rechargeable batteries, the S860 takes 2 AA batteries.

This fact can come in handy for the true budget traveler.

No charger to carry, no power converter to carry. Just bring a few extra batteries and you’re good to go.

Casio EX-Z250

The EX-Z250 by Casio is a new camera in their Exilim line.

I am particularly biased towards Casio because I have been using one for several years now and have been very happy with it.

Casio cameras are easy to use and give you a lot of functionality for your money.

For $249.99, this model has 9.1 Megapixels, a 4x optical zoom, and a 3 inch screen.

Canon PowerShot SD750

Rounding out the list is the PowerShot SD750 with a manufacturer’s price of $199.99.

The SD750 has 7.1 Megapixels, 3x optical zoom, a 3 inch screen, and a built in rechargeable battery.

And of course, you get proven Canon quality that’s been around for years.

No matter your travel style or photography budget, one of these cameras is sure to suit your needs.

So before your next trip, go buy one.

Photo by Ryan Libre

Often, when someone finds out I’m a photographer their first question is, “What gear do you use?”

So let’s see what’s in my bag…

Digital SLR Camera

I go through camera bodies way too fast.

I am currently shooting with a Nikon D90.

It is the only DSLR that takes movies at any price, yet is affordable for most travelers.

It has almost every feature I want and I can access 95% of them without searching through the menu.

Fixed Lens

More interesting than cameras are lenses.

The lenses you use have a much bigger effect on the final image than your camera. One thing every SLR shooter needs in their bag is a fast fixed lens.

That is a lens that does not zoom, but is small, light, has great depth of field and shoots well in low light without a flash.

I use the Nikkor 50mm F/1.4. Fixed lenses are also cheaper than zooms. The non-pro version, the 50mm 1.8 sells for around $100!

Wide Angle Lens

When I wanna get really close to my subject and still show a lot of context I use my Sigma 10-20mm ultra wide angle zoom.

At 10mm this lens is close to fisheye and you get a cool curvy distortion around the edges.

At 20mm it is still very wide but gives a more normal perspective.

Great to have them both in one lens.

Flash

I don’t use a flash a lot, but when I need one my Nikon SB-600 works wonders.

Even off the camera it knows wirelessly what lens I’m using, all my camera settings and even how far away my subject is!

You can also change the flash output in camera and it puts out more or less light no matter where it is located.

Takes most of the hard work out of using a flash.

Circular Polarizer

A Circular polarizer filter can do amazing things.

Polarizers can take reflections off glass or water, make skies bluer, make fall colors more colorful and much more.

A good start towards kicking the Photoshop habit.

Mini Laptop

Lastly, Ebony, my little black beauty. This mini-notebook has a six hour battery, the latest Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, three USB ports, an SD card reader and a built in webcam. I got mine for just $500, including the upgrade to 2GB of RAM.

After talking about the gear I use with curious travelers they often wonder where my big telephoto zoom lens is. I don’t have one and it hasn’t hurt my portfolio at all.

I follow Robert Capa’s advice, “Get close, then take another step.”

Next time you meet a photographer please do them and yourself a favor by asking, “What projects are you working on? ”

Question: How, pray tell, do you pack all that photography gear and keep it safe while on the road?.

Photo by KhE

Lowepro released the Flipside AW line (AW meaning All Weather) of camera backpacks in 2008. The Flipside 200 AW, 300 AW, and 400 AW offer different size options for traveling shutterbugs. Best of all, they offer security.

A subway platform in Chicago or a market in Marrakesh have one thing in common: Pickpockets.

Protection from nimble-fingered thieves is the Flipside’s big advantage. The main compartment opens from the back (the area against your back), keeping your photo gear safe. There’s no easy way for dastardly folk to gain access. On your back, or your front in crowded environs, the Flipside makes your expensive lenses and DSLR bodies nearly unavailable to thieves.

The Flipside 400 AW, the largest bag of the product line, offers photographers a comfortable way to transport their gear.

From a one-day, around-town trek, to a multi-day back-country adventure, the padded waistbelt and contoured shoulder straps can easily manage a heavy load.

The bag is well built with 600D Ripstop Polyester. The shoulder straps, waistbelt and backpad are lined with moisture-wicking, nylon mesh.

An all weather cover, readily accessible from its own compartment, will keep you gear dry in wet weather.

I spent three weeks in England toting more than 20 pounds of gear. Compared to other shoulder and sling bags I have tried, the Flipside 400 AW was hands-down the best for comfort.

On my UK trip, I hauled two DSLR bodies with battery grips, four lenses, a flash unit, and various batteries, chargers, and cords, and countless odds and ends. All fit into the voluminous bag.

Photo by KhE

Pluses

The Flipside 400 AW is a great pack. The waistbelt comfortably keeps weight off your shoulders. It’s easy to forget you are carrying a pack full of camera gear, and not a regular backpack.

The back-opening main compartment offers peace of mind when considering personal security. The 400 AW also fits easily into an airline overhead bin.

Minuses

The bag itself is heavy – empty, it weights 3.4 pounds. The lined backpad, straps, and belt, I found, didn’t do a great job in wicking away moisture.

After a few steamy days in southern China, the backpad was a tad smelly. This was easily remedied. The bag is also very rigid and has no give.

This is necessary given its role in securely storing your gear, but at time can be problematic.

The Flipside does not have a laptop / notebook storage area, a definite disadvantage.

There is not yet a perfect pack to carry both your camera and personal items. There is limited space in the Flipside for non camera-related gear. An extra shirt and a sandwich might fit in the outer compartment. Two bags will be needed if you are on anything longer than a day trip.

The pluses outweigh the minuses. The Flipside, with its storage capabilities, proved itself to me in the winter English countryside, and the hills of Hong Kong. While I pack only needed personal necessities, I do take a lot of photo gear – an area where the Flipside excels.

I recommend this pack.

Price: $149.95 | BUY

Photo by Ryan Libre

From hard hitting photojournalism and comical dog portraits to bizarre fish faces and beautiful naked Japanese women, they show mastery in various niches of photography.

1. South Southeast by Steve McCurry

This portfolio covers Steve McCurry’s 20+ year love affair with South and Southeast Asia.

Steve McCurry started his freelance photography career by going to India for 2 years with 200 rolls of film and not much else.

Today, he is one of the most universally respected photographer alive.

South Southeast is not the kind of book with several unforgettable photos in it, every photo is unforgettable!

2. Magnum Magnum by Magnum photographers

Magnum is a photographers collective started by Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson and others.

This large coffee table book shows off their best shots and their best is pretty damn good.

So good you should first get your photo on the cover of National Geographic more than once before even applying to join.

Have a look at this book and you will see why they can be so selective.

3. National Geographic: The Photographs

You already know every photo published in their magazines are topnotch.

So when they carefully select 300+ to put in a book simply titled “The Photographs”, be prepared to be blown away.

4. Vanishing Act by Art Wolfe

His name says it all.

Art Wolfe has published many quality nature and landscape photo books, but Vanishing Act stands out to me because I have not seen anything else like it.

Kind of like the “Where’s Waldo” of nature photography with endless fun and beauty.

5. Life By Frans Lanting

I can’t imagine anyone who could envision a book so broad, so bold, and do it so well as Frans Lanting.

When most people reading this article were still dirtying diapers, Frans was living in the Amazon canopy for weeks at a time waiting for the perfect shot.

His curiosity has not faded with time and the depth of his stories just keeps growing.

It is a must see collection of 175 color photographs.

6. The Book of Photography by National Geographic

This amazing 400 page book is half photos and half words, and covers everything you need to know about photography, except how to use a camera.

While it deserves a serious read from cover to cover, it is also organized in a way that allows the reader to open up any page and not feel lost.

Plus it has lots of short side essays built into the main text which are perfect if you’ve got just a few minutes to spare.

There are thousands of books about cameras but very few about the art of photography. Don’t judge this priceless book by its terrible cover design though.

7. The Photography Book by Phaidon

Each of the 500 photographers highlighted in this book get one page introductions and a photo.

It is a great and fun way to get a sense of the endless variety of photographers that exist.

You will probably never remember them all, but a few will really impress you and you can find more of their work.

The Photography Book was my first coffee table photo book. It is now officially out of print but with the millions of copies sold it is still very easy to find online and in used bookstores.

8. Life Laughs Last by Life Magazine photographers

Price: $11.50 | BUY

A light book of the funniest photos from decades of Life magazine.

Before National Geographic magazine took center stage, the most talented photographers in the world flocked to Life.

Life’s incredible pool of talent and longstanding notoriety as America’s primer photo magazine show in this timeless book of comical black and white photographs.

Most used bookstores have a copy.

9. Fish Face by David Doubilet

David Doubilet is arguably the undefeated master of underwater photography.

His new book Fish Face shows close up portraits of the underwater world from the very beautiful to the very bizarre.

David Doubilet published his first underwater photos in National Geographic before my mom could drive a car.

His love for the underwater world and his ability to tell its stories and secrets keep aging like fine wine.

10. Santa Fe by Kishin Shinoyama

What half of you have been waiting for….a nude photo book.

Some of the best advice for a photographer is to shoot what you are interested in.

Kishin Shinoyama followed that advice and remains one of the most famous and certainly most controversial photographer from Japan.

Controversy sells and so do Kishin Shinoyama’s books. Santa Fe sold 1.5 million copies.

Pick up a copy to find out why…

The amount of equipment my husband and I carry with us as we travel around the world has been described as extraordinary to insane. However, we use it all to capture various bits of content (text, photographs, video, audio) for our website and other projects.

Photo by Uncornered Market

That said, we do use some gear more than others. Here are the six things we can’t live without as nomadic travel photographers.

1. DSLR Camera

When choosing a DSLR for travel photography, opt for flexibility. We carry a Nikon D300 with an 18-200mm VR lens. Although a bit bulky and heavy, this combination yields professional quality photos with range and reach, from landscape to close-up portraits. For Nikon fans, the D90 is similarly feature-rich, but lighter on the neck and pocketbook.

Price: $2,029.95 | BUY

Other camera accessories

Grab the following to boost your photography:

• Sigma 8 mm fisheye lens for those “how did you do that” funky wide angle shots and stitched 360 degree panorama photography.
• Tokina macro lens for close-up and occasional portrait photography.
• A circular polarizer (for our main lens) to handle sun, clouds and reflections on water and windows.

2. Laptop

Essential for reviewing, post-processing, captioning and titling our photos, I carry an old 12-inch Mac Titanium PowerBook. I still love it because of its size, durability and reliability. My husband carries a PC. If we were to buy new today, we’d probably both go for a 13-inch aluminum MacBook or one of these travel friendly laptops.

Price: $1,229.99 | BUY

3. External Hard Drives

The sheer number and size of digital photos (particularly if you are shooting RAW) makes storage a major concern. To ensure we never have to delete anything, we carry two ultra-portable external hard drives – a Buffalo 320 GB MiniStation and a Western Digital (WD) 500 GB Passport. WD drives are an exceptional value; they are inexpensive, sturdy, reliable – and with each new release -smaller in size.

Price: $134.99 | BUY

Price: $119.99 | BUY

Low-tech backup

Carry a few DVD-Rs to burn photos and videos, and mail them back home. My mother is familiar with this trick; she receives a package from some new far-flung location every couple of weeks.

4. GPS Data Logger

A GPS datalogger cannot tell you where we you are or how to get to where you want to go like one of these GPS handhelds. Instead, it keeps a log of where you’ve been. These devices are small and can usually hang off the side of a camera bag or belt loop so you don’t even notice it’s there keeping track of your every step.

We use this location information to geotag our photos (i.e., embed location information into the EXIF data of each photo We used the Sony GPS CS-1 for two years, but recently changed to the Amod AGL-3080 because of its compatibility with Mac.

Why geotag photos? It’s a simple way to keep track of where each photo was taken. Additionally, we like how the Google Map that appears below each of our photos adds geographic context to the image.

Price: $69.99 | BUY

5. Compact Camera

It may seem redundant to carry two cameras, but when the situation requires something less imposing and less conspicuous than a DSLR, a small handheld is the answer. If you choose well, it can actually do a decent job capturing simple video and audio clips, too.

We carry the Casio EX-V8 and are thrilled with the 7X optical zoom that it achieves without extending its lens (our last compact camera died because the lens got stuck).

Price: $214.95 | BUY

6. Camera/Laptop Bag

Hauling around all this gear becomes heavy on mind and back. It’s worth investing in a durable, well-designed bag that protects your stuff, doesn’t scream “please steal me, I’m an equipment bag” and feels comfortable on long walks.

I can’t recommend the Crumpler Puppet (replaced by the Crumpler Keystone) camera/laptop backpack enough. It has survived tough climates and chicken bus rides, and remained flexible enough to carry all of the equipment above…and a little bit more.

Price: $150.56 | BUY

Community Connection

Stroke your interest in travel photography with these articles:

5 Items to Set Off Your Obsession With Digital Photography
5 Essential Tips for the Budding Travel Photographer
How to Store Your Photography Safely

Paving the way in tiny printer technology, the Polaroid PoGO Instant Mobile Printer allows you to produce borderless 2 inch x 3 inch photo prints with the touch of a single button.

Photos developed are “water-resistant, tear-proof, smudge-proof and peel-off prints” on ZINK inkless paper.

For less than $100, this device is wireless ready with Bluetooth and USB 2.0 connection capabilities that allows you to readily hook up to cameras, cellphones, and computers.

It uses a 7.2-volt rechargeable lithium ion battery which produces up to 15 prints per charge.

Weighing in at just 8 ounces with a dimension of 2.8 inches by 4.7 inches, mentally convincing yourself that this bite-sized device is capable of spewing out high quality prints is your only barrier.

Price: $99.95 | BUY

Printer Accessories

Your mobile printer kit is incomplete without the following items:

Polaroid Black Carrying Case

Price: $14.99 | BUY

Polaroid Zink Media 30 Pack

Price: $12.99 | BUY

I believe it was – WOW!

Photo by Lola Akinmade

With the prices of professional grade equipment and photo accessories dropping, it’s no surprise that the number of photography enthusiasts seems to be skyrocketing. Thousands of travelers straddle the fence between hobby photographers and serious amateurs.

Here are a few items to channel your obsession with photography down the right path.

A Starter DSLR camera

Chances are you already have a digital point and shoot camera that serves you well. But to truly inch yourself closer to the high quality travel photography you salivate at, you must be willing to invest.

For starters, get yourself a solid DSLR camera between the $450 to $750 price ranges. DSLR which means digital single-lens reflex refers to the technique with which light is captured using an automatic mirror and pentaprism.

Sound like technical jargon to you? PCMag.com breaks down the concept of DSLR technology in layman’s terms.

Price: $579.95 | Nikon D60 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens

In a nutshell, most professionals use DSLR cameras to create topnotch photographs. Beginner cameras usually come with a small 18-55mm telephoto lens which is sufficient for most of your photographic needs.

The two leading brands are Nikon and Canon. Choosing which brand to invest in ultimately boils down to a matter of personal taste.

A Wide Angle Lens

Most photographs are taken with a mild, mid-range telephoto lens.  They have a narrower field of vision that more closely mimics our natural line of sight. These types of lens are great for portraits which represent the majority of the photos we all snap – family and friends.

Professional photographers opt for wide angle lens which give you a wider line of sight and range to capture more of your surroundings.

Photo by Lola Akinmade

Wide angle lenses draw you deeper into the action and are perfect for landscape and scenery shots. However, by flipping your camera vertically, the wide angle lens works just as well by capturing a larger area – from the flowers and grass at your feet up to puffy white clouds in the sky.

Photo by Lola Akinmade

I currently own a Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras. Third party lenses are a lot cheaper than lenses manufactured by the same brand. Sigma also makes lenses for Canon cameras.

Photography Books

We learn best by trial and error. More importantly, we can minimize the number of errors by learning from others who’ve been down the same road.

Seek out solid photography books for inspiration.

I recently got a Nikon D300 and bought David Busch’s Nikon D300 Guide to Digital SLR Photography.

This guide will teach me all about the new functionality nestled within the D300 – from quick tips to cool tricks my camera is capable to performing.

There is a slew of photography books you can buy; from vibrant, jaw-dropping coffee table books like Through the Lens: National Geographic’s Greatest Photographs to practical step-by-guide guidebooks on creating your own jaw-dropping photography.

A Mini Tripod

As you foray deeper into the troughs of photography, you probably want to start snapping a wider variety of shots. Thoughts of trying your hands at some night photography might have crossed your mind.

Night scenes with moving traffic against stationary lit-up buildings are tricky to capture. Some lenses come with vibration reduction technology, but nothing beats placing your camera on a tripod for absolute steadiness.

Buy a mini tripod that tucks away conveniently into your camera bag.

Price: $9.99 | Vanguard VS55 Mini Table Tripod with 5 Section Legs

On that cool night when the glare of the moon perfectly illuminates the sleeping village below, you’ll be glad you bought that tripod.

Photo Processing Software

Since most digital SLR cameras allow you to capture images in a raw, unprocessed format for optimal flexibility, you can invest in photo processing software such as Nikon Capture NX 2.

Price: $149.95 | Nikon Capture NX 2

For $149.95, you get a box of functionality and transformation tools to help you get the most mileage from your photos.

If you’re not quite ready to leap into serious editing, consider Free Photo Editing Software to enhance your travel photography.

Be sure to check out 5 Essential Tips for the Budding Photographer and The A-B-C-D-E of Travel Photography.

Arc’Teryx Gamma MX jacket

The Gamma MX’s softshell technology will keep you warm and dry with its water resistance and breathable fabric—key for grueling ascents.

Price: $324.95 | BUY MENS | WOMENS

Merino Base Layers

Merino is the new super fabric for outdoor athletes. It stays warm even when wet, wicks incredibly well and is naturally antimicrobial—you won’t stink no matter how hard you try.

Merino wool from hardy New Zealand merino sheep, is 100% natural and renewable.

Price: $47.97-$89.95 | BUY MENS | WOMENS

MontBell Alpine Light Down Jacket

A very lightweight, packable down or synthetic down jacket is well insulated and is sure to keep you warm during extremey cold alpine ascents/descents.

Its microfleece-lined pockets keep your hands extra warm in frigid conditions.

Price: $149.95 | BUY MENS | WOMENS

Cloudveil Koven Ski Pant

These weather-resistant stretch pants with fully sealed seams, side vents, and waterproof zippers keep you warm while eliminating excessive sweating.

The latest models of Koven Ski Pants include an overflow cargo pocket for extra storage.

Price: $294.95- $394.95 | BUY MENS | WOMENS

Garmont Mega Ride and She Ride

The Garmont Rides are solid touring boots which are stiff enough to protect your ankles yet engineered to let you can turn on a dime. Its lace-up system ensures they fit better.

With an innovative Icebreaker function that breaks away frozen ice buildups, the relatively lightweight Mega Ride provides the right mix of comfort and functionality on your tours.

Price: $535.96 | BUY MENS | WOMENS

Osprey Switch 26

The sturdy Osprey Switch 26 was designed to be the optimal storage unit while on the trails. It comes with an hydration sleeve for your water, a StraightJacket compression system for your snowboard, a stretch pocket for your helmet, and a myriad of sleeves and pockets to store clothes, goggles, and other essential items you need within reach.

Price: $128.95 | BUY

Snow Study Equipment

The aluminum G3 Bonesaw with its rubberized grip handle easily cuts through mounds of snow and ice build ups.It’s also great for digging snow pits.

The blade also has measurements etched with different grid systems that help you test the size of snow crystals. Definitely a tool for professional avalanchers and climbers.

Price: $59.95 | BUY

Slope Meter

The Backcountry Access Slope Meter keeps you safe from unexpected sharp drop offs. Simply align its bottom edge with the slope and read its angle.

The Slope Meter also uses color coded tabs to indicate if there is a potential for an avalanche along a certain ascent, such as 35-40 degree slopes.

You may want to stay away from the “red” zones on the meter.

Price: $29.95 | BUY

Look no further than the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5K digital camera. In fact, any of the Panasonic models will do.

Spitting out images that rival digital SLRs, its 9-megapixel resolution supports poster-sized prints. Consider the Nikon D40 Digital SLR camera has only 6.1-megapixels, this simple point-and-shoot camera supports 9-megapixels. It has a 10x optical Leica zoom lens with a new Panasonic Venus Engine that reduces noise, continous auto focus (AF) and face detection anywhere in the frame.

View your pictures on its 3.0-inch LCD and try one of many predefined shooting modes; from soft portrait to aerials to candlelight to night scenery; with its intelligent scene selector.

So it came as no surprise when fellow photographer Nerds Eye View and I unknowingly pulled out the same backup camera on a recent trip!

Price: $285.02 | BUY

Since most cameras come with the generic black cases that let everyone know you’re carrying a camera, you should consider investing in a nicer bag that protects your camera from potential theft.

And they don’t come any sexier that the Vituri Digital SLR Camera Bag!

Built with customizable compartments (Velco dividers allow you to rearrange the compartments for storage), it provides enough pockets to store batteries, extra memory, cleaning supplies and other essentials.

Professional looking, sturdy and quite roomy, it completely camouflages you when traveling.

I own this exact model and recommended it under 5 Essential Tips for the Budding Travel Photographer.

Now if only Amazon would stock them!.

Price: $34.84 | BUY from Walmart

Consider the Nikon D40 digital SLR. It’s the perfect camera for those testing the waters of digital photography as a serious hobby.

For less than $500 with prices slowly dropping every three months or so, this 6.1 megapixel camera comes with a 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX zoom lens, shoots 2.5 frames per second, and provides tons of in-camera processing options such as D-Lighting, Red-Eye Correction, Trimming and Overlay functions, and an array of filter effects.

Shooting modes include Automatic, Auto (Flash Off), Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Child, Sports, Night Portrait, and a variety of manual settings.

Price: $474.06 | BUY

The Nikon Coolpixs S50c 7.2 Megapixel Digital Camera is an excellent choice for any trip. We’ve taken this thing from Bangkok to Bogotá and all I can do is rave about it.

The lowlight setting which eliminates flash and reduces shutter speed, takes amazing shots in twilight conditions and both the 3X optical zoom and digital VR Optical Image Stabilization allow you to get sharp shots when you or the subject are on the move.

It’s got a huge, bright 3 inch LCD screen and if you want to go huge, the new ones even have built in Wi-Fi.

This camera is easy to use, lightweight, and a sexy addition to your bag of travel gear. It has come down a lot in price in the last couple months and is actually quite a bit cheaper than comparable models from other brands.

$169.95 | BUY