To limit your choices on purpose, or not

[loccdor]

I'm going on a road trip to Appalachia, I'll be there for two weeks.

Since I'm driving instead of flying this time, there's unlimited space for photographic equipment.

In this situation would you still limit the amount of equipment you took, and if so, how much?

 

[BrianShaw]

Been there many times in the past. Very rich with photographic opportunities. Especially if you travel the back roads. No matter where I go, though, I limit what I take as too much gear leads to too much indeciison and/or fiddling with equipment. I've used 35mm with a 50 and 85 mostly in that area, with great success I feel. On the next opportunity I'd bring a Hasselblad with 80 and 150. Whatever you do... bring plenty of film (or plenty of digits if that's your prediliction).

 

[koraks]

There's always a limit. Can't take everything. I prefer to travel light and not fuss over what I didn't bring. Have a nice time, that's the main thing - enjoy!

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Go with one set. No more than two film types like one color and one BW. Keep it simple. I found too much freezes me, makes deciding what to shoot hard, frustrating, and tiresome. IF you're afraid to leave all your equipment in the car overnnight, that means moving it in and out of hotels or motels. If you;re going with your spouse or family, they'll appreciate less distractions too. Take a pocketable P&S digital for family shots and travel pictures along the way if recording your travels interests you.

 

[loccdor]

Lots of film, a Horseman 6x9 with 3 lenses (90, 150, 270) and 2 backs (6x9, 6x7), a Pen F with 1-3 lenses. Debating if I should try taking the big 500mm telephoto on the Canon T90 because I never get the opportunity to use it when plane traveling. Probably will take it just in case, there's always time to pass watching the birds in the yard. I've already got a backpack specifically for carrying it. And I think that will be it.

 

[BrianShaw]

... and a tripod, I hope.

 

[loccdor]

... and a tripod, I hope.

Yep, one tripod and one monopod/monogimbal.

 

[MurrayMinchin]

I'd suggest taking as much as you can comfortably carry all day. Leaving gear in the car while exploring could be costly.

We pulled into the parking lot of a remote trail, and as we did the car that was already there had been broken into. The couple, who were on holidays, had everything stolen.

 

[loccdor]

Good point - but gear will be able to be stored in my dad's house so no worries there.

 

[bewilson]

When I look at my landscape work I find my best shots are all using a portait lens. It just works well for composing closer and distant features. And if the scene doesn't compose the way you want it, you move 'till it's right. As an artist friend of mine (Michael Steele of South Dakota) told me, an artist uses their hands, a photographer uses their feet.

And don't take too much film; that will only produce more poor shots. The good shots you'll get on one roll or twenty. The poor shots need the lower standards that come with cheap and abundant film. Reference: The Modern Camera, and the Dilution of Effort an essay by me 20 years ago.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Lots of film, a Horseman 6x9 with 3 lenses (90, 150, 270) and 2 backs (6x9, 6x7), a Pen F with 1-3 lenses. Debating if I should try taking the big 500mm telephoto on the Canon T90 because I never get the opportunity to use it when plane traveling. Probably will take it just in case, there's always time to pass watching the birds in the yard. I've already got a backpack specifically for carrying it. And I think that will be it.

Frankly I'd limit it to the Horseman with one back. You're setting yourself up for analysis paralysis by having so many different systems to switch between. The way you shoot with the Horseman is completely different from the Pen F and the T90, which are both different as well, but not as far apart as the Horseman is from either. You won't be able to get into the right mindset for any of them as you bounce back and forth, and your shots with each will suffer. I got my very best work the time I took a Rolleiflex with me to Paris. Second best trip photographically was Rome, when I had a standard Rollei, a Tele-Rollei, and a Lomo Belair X6/12 (at least all three were medium format, and the two Rolleis were both square, so there wasn't a major mind-shift between them).

 

[MTGseattle]

I sit and stare at my gear just trying to get out of the house for a short drive/walk let alone a road trip. Bring the kit/kits that are second nature for you to use and have fun.

 

[Rick A]

We're prepping for a road trip to NW Arkansas. Along for the ride will be (besides my sweetie) my 8x10 Nag, my 4x5 Tachi, and my Fuji GW670iii. We wanted to leave last week but the weather was bad where we are heading, now we're waiting out the blizzard conditions here. Leaving in the morning regardless of weather, it's supposed to be upper 70's to mid 80's there.

 

[gbroadbridge]

I'm going on a road trip to Appalachia, I'll be there for two weeks.

Since I'm driving instead of flying this time, there's unlimited space for photographic equipment.

In this situation would you still limit the amount of equipment you took, and if so, how much?

I travel a lot, all over the place.

After many years of carrying far too much gear covering every focal length, 'just in case', attracting attention sometimes where it is best to be discreet - these days just one lens - a medium fast 35mm equivalent.

Shoot what works, ignore the rest, and enjoy the trip.

 

[Alan Townsend]

I'm going on a road trip to Appalachia, I'll be there for two weeks.

Since I'm driving instead of flying this time, there's unlimited space for photographic equipment.

In this situation would you still limit the amount of equipment you took, and if so, how much?

This may sound negative, but not knowing more about your trip, I would limit my gear to how much you would be comfortable losing unless you have a big German Shepherd along with you or other security arrangements. Getting trip insurance that would cover equipment losses may be a good idea if you take much expensive gear. Two weeks is not a very long time if you stay in hotels in towns, but longer if camping in more remote areas where you may be closer to your subjects. It depend on the type of photography you plan on. Stay safe and have fun. Personally, I would be a minimalist on a trip there and drive an older vehicle as well as wear blue jeans and hoodies.

 

[Taylor K Nankervis]

For car-based travel, I take three kits: 6x7, 35mm and 6x6 pinhole; one day is spent with the 67, another day or two with 35mm and one or two days with pinholes. That gives me plenty of interpretive/stylistic variety and choices when it comes to vetting for printing at the lightbox. For day walks just a one-camera kit (6x7); overnight walks, pinhole camera and spotmeter and a Joby gorillapod. Multiday walks ... same, but perhaps a second pinhole camera.

I've seen something in Australia very recently about Appalachian clogging — I thought it was Morris dancing until I had a second look.

 

[loccdor]

I've seen something in Australia very recently about Appalachian clogging — I thought it was Morris dancing until I had a second look.

I've never seen clogging in person but dance and music from those parts has a strong connection to the rainy islands. Bluegrass and especially fiddling is more common and you can definitely hear the Irish in it.

3 kits seems like it might be about right with 1 small pocket cam and 1 big one for carrying around at any given time on outings. That makes sense.

 

[Vaughn]

…
In this situation would you still limit the amount of equipment you took, and if so, how much?

Take as much film, as many lenses, and as many formats as you think you might use.

Are you a tourist on this trip or a photographer? Or both? Are you planning to create a portfolio of images from this trip or just an odd image here and there? That is where the answer lies.

I was just in Japan for 5 weeks with a TLR and a 4x5. The TLR for when I was moving fast and light, especially with my sons. The 4x5 for when I was on my own (including about a week on a bicycle trip). But the was little difference in how subjects were approached and there might be some MF prints sharing the same mat as 4x5 prints (all contacted/alt processes).

So take as much equipment as you might use and have fun!!!

 

[loccdor]

Are you a tourist on this trip or a photographer? Or both? Are you planning to create a portfolio of images from this trip or just an odd image here and there? That is where the answer lies.

Thanks Vaughn. The main purpose of the trip is to spend time with my father, but we like to go hiking and there are always a lot scenic landscape viewpoints that we meet a long the way. I like to document my father's life and our time together, usually with a smaller camera, and the bigger camera for the landscapes. I'm also always trying to improve my skills as a photographer and that's part of the purpose as well.