Thanks for constantly checking out my photoblog.  I have been on vacation for the past few weeks and am now back, refreshed and ready for the fall sports season.  Because this blog is for anyone who loves and appreciates photography, I figured I’d post some of my favorites from my travels–maybe some of you can figure out where I went.  Enjoy, and stay tuned for more posts coming soon!

Can you see what that wake belongs to?

AND MY FAVORITE PHOTO:

1.  Carry-on bag, INSIDE Lowepro Vertex AW backpack:

1-Canon EOS 1D Mark IIN Body, battery attached

1-Canon EOS 1D Mark III Body, battery attached

1-EF 400 2.8 lens

1-EF 16-35 lens, hood detached (more on that later)

1-EF 70-200 lens, hood detached

1-1.4x II teleconverter

1-2x II teleconverter

1-580EX speedlite with omnibounce attached

1-ST-E2 wireless transmitter

1-Canon right-angle finder

1-each, spare battery for Mark IIN and Mark III

Think tank pixel pocket rocket CF card wallet with 16 gigs worth of cards/SD

Inside of my carry-on.

2.  Carry-on bag, OUTSIDE:

-Mac Powerbook 15″

-Laptop security lock

-Power supply for laptop

-Think Tank Cable Management pouch containing the following:

2-CF card readers, firewire and USB2

2-SD card readers

1-Verizon EVDO aircard

1-telephone cable

2-iPod USB2 cords (for iPhone)

1-Calculator (for expensing in the field)

1-2 gigabyte thumb drive

Outside of my backpack. Not shown: iPod shuffle, Listerine mist spray (because I like to be charming to my seatmate on the plane! Nothing worse than breathing fire, especially on long flights))

3.  Check-in bag, small roller:

2-Aquatech sports shield rain covers, for 400mm and 70-200mm

-All lens hoods, 400, 70-200, and 16-35

1- Gitzo carbon fiber monopod

1-Pacsafe security net

1-Extra set of clothes (just in case of stranding, which has happened to me)

1-Think Tank Changeup wastepack with Think Tank Whip it Out pouch attached

Optionally, I also pack the chargers for camera batteries, although on day trips, I don’t take it.

My philosophy on checked bags is taken from many of my colleagues.

A few of my mentors and colleagues say it best when it comes to traveling.  Basically, you carry-on EVERYTHING you need to shoot the assignment/job.  Anything that can be replaced at your destination, small items such as monopods, etc. are checked.  Lens hoods are not essential, and take up room in the backpack so they are checked in also.

That’s it!