We consider the following items important. You can learn more about them at the workshop, but we made this checklist as a reminder to bring them if you already own them. Items essential to this workshop are in bold. You might also consider renting lenses, cameras or other gear from Lens Pro To Go or other rental companies.
Contact Chris Murray at chris@chrismurrayphotography.com with questions.
Photo Equipment
Camera – DSLR or mirrorless, full frame or cropped sensor. Also, bring the camera manual should you need to consult it.
Lenses – There will likely be photo opportunities for your full range of lenses, from extreme wide angle to telephoto and macro. We use lenses from 10-400mm. When buying lenses we recommend getting the best quality you can afford, with maximum apertures of f/2.8 or wider for landscape work (especially useful for night photography).
Lens Cloths/Wipes
Tripod – Sunrise, sunset, and waterfall photos require shutter speed levels too slow to photograph properly without a sturdy tripod. We recommend buying a lightweight carbon fiber tripod (we like Induro and Gitzo brands) with a ball head. Expect to pay $300-$400 for the set. Watch Hunt’s Photo for sales. A quality set should last many years.
Lots of Memory Card Storage – We use fast 64GB cards.
Camera Battery Charger and Extra Batteries
Polarizing Filter
Neutral Density Filters, Graduated Neutral Density Filters – Chris recommends a set of 3 Haida round screw-in ND filters (with 3-, 6-, and 10-stop filters) for about $120. They have minimal color casting.
Shutter Release – You can use a locking cable release, a wireless remote, or the camera’s self-timer (except in BULB). Shutter releases are available for specific camera models, from simple units that only trip the shutter, to more advanced units with intervalometers that allow the photographer to program exposure time, count down the exposure, shoot multiple exposures and timed intervals. These are available from Hunt’s Photo and B&H Photo-Video.
Flashlight &/or Headlamp – preferably with a red light, or cover with a red filter, to limit distracting others during night photography sessions. Bring larger lights for light painting if you’d like.
Rain Cover – For camera and lens protection. An inexpensive plastic shower cap works well in many instances, as does an umbrella.
Cell Phone
Laptop Computer – We highly recommend bringing your own laptop computer for downloading, processing and viewing your images. If you borrow a laptop, make sure that you are familiar with its use.
Processing Software – Good choices include Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, or Elements. We use Adobe’s Creative Cloud Photography Plan, which includes Lightroom & Photoshop, for about $10/month. Free 30-day trials of these programs are available.
Back-up device – Such as an external hard drive.
Flash Drive – For sharing images.
Clothing & Outdoor Gear
Historical average temperatures for the Thousand Islands in May vary from a low of 45 to a high of 69 degrees.
Light Coat and Pants
Rain Jacket & Rain Pants – For rain and wind protection.
Hiking Boots – preferably waterproof
Wading boots or sandals – For photographing in the water.
Bug Spray – For mosquitoes in the evenings and early mornings.
Water bottle
Energy bars or other snacks
