Whether crouched in a wildflower field or balancing my gear on a rocky outcrop, the right tools make all the difference. I’m sharing a peek into my kit in this week's Behind the Lens issue. This gear helps me create images no matter where the road takes us. RV life means every inch counts, so I’ve built a compact, go-anywhere setup that works in the wild or on the mean streets of Philly. If you’ve been curious about the gear behind the gallery, this one’s for you!
Thompson Falls - New Hampshire 📷: Canon 6D Mark II
Vaughn Falls 📷: iPhone 13 Pro
Photo of the Week
The photo above was one of the first I took when I trimmed my gear down to my Platypod set up.
No longer carrying a heavy tripod when hiking has been a game changer when hiking trails to waterfalls.
Platypod makes solid gear that holds my camera steady for long exposures perfectly.
Small but Mighty: My Travel Photography Setup
OMSystem OM-1 Mark II
Lightweight, weather-sealed, and built for action, this camera is my faithful travel companion (along with my favorite sherpa, Jody!). It has handled Florida humidity, desert dust, and freak Eastern Shore rainstorms like a champ. I especially love the built-in computational features that help me capture birds in flight or waterfalls with silky motion. When I pair it with my 150-600mm lens, it’s a dream combo for wildlife, landscapes, and even astrophotography for moon shots.
iPhone 16 Pro
I recently upgraded my iPhone 13Pro to the 16Pro and haven’t regretted the decision. The camera now has four focal length defaults: .5 (wide angle), 1x, 2x, and 5x (telephoto). I have been really pleased with it so far, and it is a great choice for traveling ultra light for street photography and can shoot some great on-the-go nature and landscapes in a pinch. Whether you have an iPhone, a Samsung, or any other cell phone with a camera, the best camera will always be the one you have with you. Follow simple photography “rules” (low perspective, level horizon, on-the-thirds, etc.) and you will get shots you can’t wait to share!
OM-1 mounted on the Delta w/compact ballhead.
Everything but the camera fits into my small bag.
Platypod Delta
This is the stealthiest tripod on the market today. It lets me stabilize my camera on rocks, stumps, tabletops, and anywhere a full tripod won’t go. It’s ultra-flat and fits easily into my pack or saddlebag when we are on the bike. Bonus: It is a great talking point in a crowd, but doesn’t scream “photographer,” so I can shoot low and quickly if I want to avoid said crowd.
Platypod Handle + Grip
The Handle adds just the right amount of height and flexibility when I need it. Combined with the Platypod Grip, it’s like having a mini tripod and selfie stick rolled into one. There is plenty of adaptability for awkward terrain or tight RV spaces. This combo is handy for quick macro setups or group selfies in the garden. It would be great for collecting BTS videos for this newsletter, too…I just need to remember to start doing that!
Compact Ball Head
A good ball head is a vital piece of the setup, allowing me to move the camera easily for just the right composition. For waterfalls and any longer exposures, I prefer my Platyball Elite. It is a bit heavier duty but adds the ability to shoot both horizontally and vertically with solid control of the camera. For my “everyday” shots that require stabilization, I love my new Platyball Traveler (pictured above). It is lightweight and perfect to carry around when I need more stabilization.
If you are interested in the Platypod gear or want to learn more about it, you can check it out on their website.
Bonus Tip
Before I hit the trail, I set my camera to its C1 setting (preprogrammed for the day's primary subject) and tested my setup for the day depending on what I expect to be shooting. I make sure my batteries are charged, and I have at least one empty card for images. You would not believe how fast I can fill one up when photographing birds!
Gratuitous photo since I mentioned birds. And, well, spoonbill babies!
Life threw me a pretty big curve ball last November with the passing of my mom so I took a break from posting my daily photos and I'm just now getting back in the routine (which I dearly missed). My gear really comes in handy for staying "light and tight" to get out in the wild for daily images as well as planned adventures.
If you want to read my about my journey as a daily photographer, click the button below.
Thanks for coming along for this week’s Behind the Lens. If you enjoyed it, I’d love for you to share it with a friend who loves travel, nature, or photography.
You can find more stories, photos, and my daily photo moments over on Instagram [@fleetingexpressions365]. Let’s stay connected out there!