I get asked about my gear a lot. I suppose this is because of the prevailing thought that your gear defines you, or that anyone can do great things with a "nice camera." I'll not go into why that is completely false--but just trust me--it's false!
Confession: I don't think anyone who knows me could accuse me of being a minimalist--packrat could just about be my middle name. Stamps, interesting things to be repurposed, or my collection of letters and cards dating from age 6--I like keeping things. HOWEVER, the buck stops at my camera bag. And I learned early on to my great delight that I didn't have to have ever single lens created to be creatively successful at photography! Did you catch that? I'll say it again.
You don't need to have every single piece of gear created!
You just don't. Some of the most successful photographers use ONE LENS 90% of the time. So with that said, whatever gear you have, own it! Know your lens inside and out! (Reverse lens technique, anyone?) If you can be completely competent with the gear you have, that is huge. If you aren't, practice until you are! (Preaching to the choir at this point as I recently bit the bullet and dove headfirst into the world of off camera flash, aka OCF)
So without further lectures or confessions--no judging of my postage stamp collection--here's what's in my bag.
And just for giggles and grins...(no pun intended) I recently added these babies to my gear for...well babies. Everyone needs a good noisemaker in their bag. Now I have two. Thank you, Puerto Rico Souvenir shop.
*Canon 5d Mark ii - Canon 40d as backup (Not pictured)
*Canon 50mm 1.4 - On my camera 90% of the time!
*Canon 24-70L 2.8 - Barely use it, but glad to have it when the need arises
*Canon 85 1.8 - I love this lens! Before I went full frame I had stopped using it as much because of the cropped sensor and often being is tight spaces--but now! It is amazing!
*2 Canon 600-ex Speedlites - One on camera, one on a light stand
Oh yeah, and what is the bag? Well it is kind of like unending musical chairs, as I rarely need to carry all of my equipment at one time. But here's a little glimpse.
Shootsac duo of the classic + Tote & Shoot
*Crumpler Haven camera pouch I LOVE this. Basically any purse, backpack, beach bag, or suitcase can become a camera bag. Versatility. What's not to love about that?
That's it! Sometimes less IS more. Except for when you just need give a home to any baby/wedding shower's tissue paper re-use....not that I would know from experience.
So what's in YOUR bag? Leave me a comment, I would love to hear from you!