What's In My Kit Bag

If I had to define myself by a genre, I’d class myself as an ‘outdoor’ photographer. I’m primarily a Landscape and Seascape photographer and can usually found at the shoreline or out deep in the water creating my imagery, but I shoot all sorts from weddings and portraits to lifestyle and commercial work too. What comes above any definition or genre is my passion to photograph what’s out in nature, and the beauty of the world all around us. Sometimes this means the ocean or the forest, or this can mean the everyday moments happening as life evolves before our very eyes. This all means that I need a varied kit to suit any occasion! My journey to becoming a professional photographer has been a very gradual and organic process for me that’s come around over 10 years of just being out shooting all the time and honing my craft and learning what gear works for me. Its not just the techy stuff, its all personal preference! What I shoot and how I shoot is completely feelings driven and that goes for what's in my kit bag too.

So, lets get stuck in!

First up its the most important bit - my camera!

Fujifilm X-T5

I moved to Fujifilm in 2018, and my reasons for this were size and weight primarily. I wanted something easier to carry around so was looking towards the mirrorless X-Series cameras. They have a retro look with the classic dials on top of the camera body which makes them very intuitive to use. I can alter my settings really quickly without even having to think about it. Another reason to shoot Fujifilm were the colours. I love the look of the colours straight out of camera, the RAW files are just beautiful, something that Fujifilm are renowned for.

My specific camera of choice is the Fujifilm X-T5…. and I have 2 of them! So onto the X-T5 specifically; it boasts a 40 Megapixel APSC sensor. A key feature includes 5-axis in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) which provides up to 7 shutter steps of compensation. The tilting screen makes it easier to handle, and makes those low angles much more achievable! It also comes with a touchscreen LCD. Like I said earlier on though, its not about the techy stuff too much for me, I just love how this camera feels and it produces top quality images. Its weather resistant too, which is just perfect as I'm out in all weathers!

Moving onto the lenses - Its good to be equipped for whatever is thrown at you, and shooting various genres and subjects you never know what might be presented to you in that moment, so I enjoy a varied range of lenses, which can change quite regularly! Here’s my current set up:

Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f4

Fujifilm XF 30mm F/2.8 R LM WR Macro

Fujifilm XF 60mm f2.4 R Macro

Fujifilm XF 55-200mm F/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS Telephoto Zoom

I’ve been a Fujifilm X-Photographer and brand ambassador for the last 2 years and have had a great time working with them on images, product launches, workshops and have even been around the country representing them as a speaker at events and photography shows!

Next up, moving onto my tripod and accessories!

3 Legged Thing

My tripod is called Bucky; he's carbon fibre, lightweight and easy to fold to a compact size for transportation – these were my main reasons for choosing Bucky from the 3 Legged Thing selection. For photographers who need greater versatility in a travel tripod, it extends to great heights and gets down to ground level. It has 3 detachable legs enable conversion to monopods or table-top tripod should the need present itself. Bucky can support 20 times its own weight, which makes it so strong and sturdy yet remaining lightweight for travel and easy to carry. This really ticks all my boxes after working my way through ALOT of tripods since starting out 10 years ago. I have the Ellie dedicated X-T5 L Bracket (and have also used the universal L Bracket which is also amazing and super easy to use!). The benefit of an L Bracket is they enable you to maintain a level horizon and keep the camera on the same focal plane, while keeping the weight of the camera above the centre of the tripod, in the most stable position and not making the set up side heavy at all. I also use the 3LT footwear when needed and have the claw feet and stilettos in my bag. These help with grip when out in the field!

Next up, filters!

Kase Filters

Filters help you in landscape and seascape photography in a number of ways. You can get a more balanced exposure and to help capture a scene accurately. I use graduated filters which can hold back any brightness in the sky, balancing the exposure of the land and the sky. I also use neutral density (ND) filters for a creative approach. A great advantage of using ND filters is to create some motion in your pictures by holding back the light and in turn extending the shutter speed. You can either create movement or freeze things all together. You can extend the time of the shutter being open and allow yourself more creativity here by playing around with anything from say a second up to minutes, depending on the end result you want to go for! I also use a polariser, which is a great way to improve your landscape photos by reducing haze, enhancing colour and removing glare from the water. This can add colour and contrast too. It all makes it much easier to get it right in camera and saving time later on when editing your RAW file, in addition to allowing you the freedom of creativity.

As an affiliate of Kase, I have a referral link for you here:

https://kasefilters.com/ref/EmilyE/

Come and join me on my workshops to try these out and might even bag yourself a cheeky discount!

Something incredibly important when heading out into the water…..

Aquatech Housing

When photographing out in the water, an underwater housing for your camera is essential. Its simply a waterproof case that allows you to keep operating the camera underwater and these come in many forms, going from a zip lock bag to a dedicated and bespoke housing for your model of camera.

I’ve experience with a £50 zip lock bag, which can be a little scary when you are putting your expensive camera inside! It was fine for a few sessions and then the condensation got really bad and I was at risk of the camera getting damp so quickly moved on from that one! I’ve also experience with a couple of different branded housings, and what I use currently is a dedicated Aquatech EDGE Pro Water Housing for the FUJIFILM X-T5. Buying something bespoke and great quality will come with a price, but let me tell you, its worth it for keeping your camera nice and safe, and dry! You will also need to consider lens ports dependant on the lens you want to use out in the water, and whether you want a flat port or a dome port. I have the P80 which is a flat port and fits my 30mm and 60mm which are my go to lenses when I’m out in the water.

The Aquatech Edge is nice and compact and lightweight and has a depth rating of 10m/33ft. Perfect for the type of photography I shoot when out in the water. From the ripples on the surface at sunrise, to the crashing waves, and all the people out in the water, surfing or swimming with me. It helps me produce some great results.

Next up, taking to the skies; the drone!

Mavic Mini 2

I used to hate drones, especially when they were flying low around me when I was out enjoying the peace of sunrise, so I get that these aren't for all landscape photographers out there but I eventually caved and its a great addition to the kit bag! Enabling me to find a whole new perspective from the sky, while creating quality images. Its small, compact, less than 250g so no licence required and easy to transport around. The Mavic Mini 2 has a 12mp sensor and shoots in JPG + RAW format. Great for flying and adding another perspective to my portfolio!

Lastly and by no means least, as this bit of kit holds it all together - its my bags!

Vanguard VEO Adaptor R44 Backpack

I’ve sampled MANY bags in my time and I have the Vanguard VEO Adaptor R44 Backpack in grey as my main backpack. It fits my camera, lenses and filters in nicely, with the tripod hooked onto the front of the bag too, its all easily transported. I can also slot my macbook in there too! It has a USB port for charging gear on the go. I love the sleek look and design of the bag, with back access and from the top too, if you just want quick access to the camera. Its waterproof too, which is perfect being out in all conditions, and comes with a rain cover too for those downpour kinda days! The harness system has been designed ergonomically with a waist strap, that can be easily tucked away when not in use. This allows you to carry the bag comfortably, minimising any strain on your back. I have to say, its the best bag I've ever had the pleasure of using for my photography trips in terms of fitting my gear in yet still being quite small, lightweight and easy to transport!

Wandrd PRVKE Lite 11 Backpack

I have this backpack in yellow and use most days for other things as well as photography as its lovely and small, streamlined, functional design and its waterproof too. Its a great day bag if I’m heading out with my camera and one or two lenses, or if I’m hitting the beach with my housing. Its got lots of compartments, fits my laptop and a flask of coffee too! It also comes with accessory straps so you can attach the tripod, or pretty much anything else you want to hook up to your bag for transportation! This bag is one hell of a daily carry….

Of course, not forgetting endless cloths, Wandrd camera strap and back up batteries and coffee too! haha

Anyway, thanks so much for looking guys, really hope this kit list helps!

Happy creating!