What’s in the camera bag from assignment to assignment varies widely depending on the gig. These days pretty much all of my images are produced with high-resolution digital cameras, wicked fast computers and the latest in imaging software for the best possible image quality. I am very demanding of my gear. I choose the latest and most advanced photographic equipment on the market to bring my images to life and when I find a new piece of gear that works more efficiently or better than what I am currently using I upgrade as soon as possible. Hence, this list of gear will always be in a state of flux.
Working with top-end suppliers is also a critical part of my business. To that end, I order the bulk of my equipment from B&H Photo & Video. B&H has an incredible amount of information on their website about each item they sell. Their website is not only a place to find gear but also a place to compare items, and see detailed specifications on each item you are considering. For your convenience, all of the items listed below contain links to the B&H website.
Camera Equipment
As of 2021, I have fully converted to mirrorless. My main cameras these days are the FUJIFILM GFX 100 II and the GFX 100S medium format cameras. The GFX 100 II has an insanely amazing 102 MP image sensor that offers jaw-dropping image quality. Add in the relatively fast autofocus (for medium format) and the fast 8 fps frame rate and this is the first medium format camera that can actually be used for adventure sports photography. You can find my preview of the GFX 100 II here. I have been using the older original GFX 100 for the last five years since its introduction. It has been a workhorse for me, but has now been superseded by the new GFX 100 II. You can find my full review of the GFX 100 here. I have also added the lighter, smaller and more nimble FUJIFILM GFX 100S to my kit as well. It has the same imaging sensor as the GFX 100 so the image quality is identical. Those who follow my work will know that I created images for the launch the GFX 100, 100S and the new 100 II, which can be seen on my website here, here and here. These GFX 102 MP cameras offer the best image quality I have ever seen–and they are even better than cameras that are five times as expensive in a wide range of photography situations. It has been a great honor to work with FUJIFILM on the launch of these three cameras.
In the full-frame (i.e. 35mm) realm, I have the Nikon Z 9, and the older Z 6 mirrorless camera. The new Z 9 is a marvel of technology and perhaps the best digital camera Nikon has ever created. With some of the fastest autofocus ever seen and crazy fast frame rates there isn’t much this camera can’t do. The Z 6 is still a great smaller full-frame camera even though it is five years old at this point. I have a review of the Z 6 on my blog here. I have been working with Nikon cameras since the early 80s when I was a teenager, and started out with the Nikon FM and then the FE2. It has been a long journey and the current Nikons are still a part of my main kit specifically for fast-moving action photography. I also reach for the Nikons when I need a certain lens that isn’t available in the Fujifilm medium format system–like a 400mm f/2.8 or a 600mm f/4 or a fisheye lens.
I also have the Fujifilm X100F, which is a stellar camera for those times when I want to go fast and light. The X100F always goes along as a travel camera and often gets used in behind the scenes scenarios.
The FUJIFILM GFX 100 II is now my main camera. I shoot pretty much everything with it including adventure sports. It is a revolution to be able to shoot fast action with a medium format camera at 8 fps with 102 MP. I was lucky enough to help launch this camera in 2023 and I was blown away at how well it performed. I am completely spoiled by the image quality from the GFX cameras. Every other camera I own (save for the other two GFX cameras listed below) pales in comparison–in terms of image quality–compared to this medium format monster. Check out my preview of the GFX 100 II. See the lenses I am using with it below. Buy Online >>
The FUJIFILM GFX 100 has been my main camera up until the launch of the GFX 100 II (shown above). I shot pretty much everything with it including adventure sports. It was a revolution to be able to shoot fast action with a medium format camera at 5 fps with 102 MP. I was lucky enough to help launch this camera in 2019 and over the last few years I have learned how to squeeze out of it every last drop off performance. Check out my full review of the GFX 100. See the lenses I am using with it below. Buy Online >>
In the fall of 2020, I was one of the very few photographers worldwide that created images for the launch of this exciting new camera. Since its release in February 2021, the GFX 100S has been the camera that goes pretty much everywhere with me. Now it serves as a backup to the new GFX 100 II. When I need to take two systems on an assignment (i.e. a medium format kit and a faster frame rate full-frame kit) the GFX 100S is my go to camera along with my Nikon Z kit (shown below). The smaller body makes it ideal for those extended backcountry assignments where every gram counts and I have to carry a lot of gear. For a preview of this camera and my initial thoughts on it check out my GFX 100S blog post. Buy Online >>
The Z 9 is a quantum leap in performance for Nikon. While the Fujifilm GFX cameras are my main working cameras as an action/adventure photographer there are times when I need faster frame rates and faster autofocus than is available in medium format cameras and the new Z 9 is a phenomenal action camera–perhaps the best that has ever been produced. The Z 9 is my main full-frame rig, both for stills and for much of my video work when we don’t need a full Red Digital Cinema kit. Buy Online >>
The Z 6 can shoot at up to 12 fps and is a great rig for those times when I need to go light and fast. While the Z 6 was one of Nikon’s first mirrorless offerings I still keep it around for those times when I need to go fast and light. It doesn’t have the blistering fast performance or high resolution of the Nikon Z 7II or the Z 9, but it is more than capable for many situations and especially in low-light scenarios it offers exceptionally low noise at High ISOs. Check out my full review of the Z6 on my blog. Buy Online >>
The X100F is a gem. This tiny APS-C camera is my go to travel camera when I want to go light and fast. The image quality is fantastic and it even has lens converters so that you can have an 18mm lens (27mm full-frame equivalent) and a 35 mm lens (50mm full-frame equivalent) in addition to the fixed 24mm lens. With fast autofocus and a fast frame rate it can even shoot action. In addition, it has a leaf-shutter that goes up to 1/4000th second so for some flash work this little camera comes into play with a lot of power. Buy Online >>
Lenses
When it comes to lenses, I work with the best possible lenses I can get, especially considering how demanding the FUJIFILM GFX 100 and GFX 100S cameras are on my lenses. I have found the Fujifilm GFX lenses to be sharper than my Nikkor Z glass and sharper even than the Hasselblad H lenses–and that is saying something. The GFX lenses are all stellar. Of course I still have a stable of Nikkor Z lenses to go with my Nikon Z 9 and Z 6. The new Nikkor Z lenses are definitely a serious upgrade from the older F-mount lenses I used to own for my Nikon DSLRs.
The GF 20-35mm is equivalent to a full-frame 16-28mm lens, which makes it a great all around wide angle zoom. Once this came out I rarely ever take my GF 23mm lens out on shoots with me. It is that good. And at f/4, it has the same maximum aperture as the 23mm lens as well. This lens is also crazy sharp. And when you pick it up it is quite a bit lighter than you would imagine it to be. This lens has become part of the holy trinity of lenses for the GFX line up along with the GF 45-100 and the GF 100-200 . Buy Online >>
The GF 23mm is my go to wide angle prime lens. It is crazy sharp, lightweight and the equivalent to an 18mm lens in full-frame. This is definitely one of my favorite GF lenses. The fixed 23mm lens sees a lot of use in water housings, and in those scenarios where a lighter, slightly smaller lens is preferable to the larger GF20-35mm zoom. Buy Online >>
FUJIFILM GF 32-64mm f/4 R LM WR
I love the range of the GF 32-64. it is equivalent to a 25-50mm lens in full-frame. It is a crazy sharp, lightweight (for what it is) and versatile lens and maybe the lens I use the most often out of all the GF lenses. Buy Online >>
The GF 45mm f/2.8 is a sweet little lens and it is also one of the sharpest lenses in the GFX lineup. It is equivalent to a 36mm lens in full-frame (35mm). As it was one of the first lenses announced with the GFX system, it does not have the fastest autofocus, but in use it doesn’t really matter as I don’t use this lens for action photography. It is super lightweight, perhaps the lightest GFX lens that I own, and great for low-light situations as well. Buy Online >>
FUJIFILM GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR
The GF 45-100 is yet another great addition to the GFX lens lineup. Tack sharp, this lens has a very useful focal length range equivalent to a 35 – 80mm in full-frame. It also has excellent Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) that works in conjunction with the GFX cameras and their IBIS. For portraiture this lens, along with the 110mm f/2 below is a must have. Buy Online >>
The GF80mm f/1.7 R WR is the fastest medium format autofocus lens ever created. It also happens to be one of Fujifilm’s sharpest lenses in the entire GFX line up. I had the opportunity to work with this lens while shooting for the launch of the GFX 100S and found it to be an incredible optic. Because it is a lightweight lens with a fast aperture its size makes it easy to take on every assignment. For portraits and low-light photography this lens is one of those GFX lenses that will become a must-have for Fujifilm medium format photographers. Buy Online >>
The GF 110 is wicked sharp. This is my favorite portrait lens as it is the equivalent of an 85mm full-frame lens. Even wide open at f/2 this lens is ridiculously sharp. It is not a small lens by any means but even so it is (along with the GF250mm lens) one of the sharpest lenses in the entire GFX lineup. The fast f/2 aperture is equivalent in 35mm terms to an f/1.35 aperture. Thus, it has extremely shallow depth of field wide open and creamy bokeh. For portrait photography this lens is very hard to beat. Buy Online >>
FUJIFILM GF 100-200mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR
The GF 100-200 is an incredibly versatile lens that has wicked fast autofocus on the GFX 100. It is the equivalent of a 79 – 158mm lens in 35mm, which may seem quite limiting but seems to be a perfect focal range for medium format, especially when you have 102 MP at your disposal. This is also a very light lens for what it is–I take this with me on pretty much every assignment. Buy Online >>
The GF 250 is one of the sharpest lenses in the lineup. It is a spectacular lens that balances well on the camera, even though it is fairly large. It also has incredibly fast autofocus with the GFX 100 II. Paired it with the excellent GF 1.4X TC (see below) and this lens becomes a 350mm f/5.6 (equivalent to a 277mm f/5.6 in 35mm) with no loss in autofocus speed. I love this lens and it looks badass on the camera. Buy Online >>
FUJIFILM GF 1.4X TC WR Teleconverter
This 1.4x teleconverter mates with the GF 250mm lens and makes it a 350mm lens (277mm full-frame equivalent). For serious telephoto work this is a must have to go along with the 250mm lens. If I need more reach, I crop in on the 102 MP images. A 50% crop (from the 102 Mp image) is still a 51 MP image and gives you the equivalent focal length of around 560mm. Buy Online >>
This little lens is marvelously small and easy to work with. It is actually sharper than my much heavier and more expensive F-Mount 14-24mm f/2.8 lens. When I need to go light and fast this lens, combined with the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S lens are my go to kit. Buy Online >>
This is the sharpest 20mm full-frame lens I have ever worked with. When working in low light, I opt for this lens with its fast aperture and stellar corner-to-corner sharpness. Overall, it is quite a bit sharper than the Nikkor Z 14-30mm. It also serves as a great astrophotography lens due to the faster aperture and the brighter optics. Buy Online >>
The 24-70mm f/2.8 is a workhorse standard lens. If I can only take one lens, it is usually this one or the f/4 Z version of this lens. I own both the f/4 and the f/2.8 version, but the f/2.8 version is crazy good, especially in the corners. This might be the best standard zoom ever created for 35mm digital cameras. Buy Online >>
The 50 mm f/1.2 is a beast of a lens. It is large, heavy and unwieldy. It also happens to be one of the most perfect lenses Nikon has ever made, which is the only reason anyone would ever lug this beast around. At f/1.2 it is wicked sharp and has dreamy bokeh. Stop it down to f/1.4 or f/1.8 and it might just be the sharpest Z lens Nikon makes–aside from the $8,000 f/0.95 manual focus version. When used for video there is basically zero focus breathing, which is a big part of the reason this lens is so large. Optically there is no chromatic aberration at all, and that is an incredible feat for such a fast prime lens. This lens shows just how amazing the new Nikkor Z lenses can be. Buy Online >>
This lens is a showcase for Nikon’s new Z mirrorless lenses. It is wicked sharp, even wide open, and stopping down to f/5.6 and f/8 it just keeps getting better and better. My old 70-200 (a few generations back) pales in comparison. This lens is up there with my Fujifilm medium format lenses which is saying a lot. I have been very spoiled with the GFX lenses and very few 35mm lenses are up to that medium format quality. None of my other Nikkors, or even the Z 24-70mm f/2.8, are as sharp as this 70-200. So far, the Z lenses from Nikon are blowing away my older F-mount lenses. Kudos to Nikon for raising the bar on their optics. Buy Online >>
I have been waiting for Nikon to fill out their Z series super-telephoto lineup for quite some time now. When the 400mm f/4.5 came out I was very intrigued but waited for the reviews to come in to make sure it was worth buying. I often rent the 400mm f/2.8 and 600mm f/4 lenses for very specific assignments and was looking for a lighter, less expensive version to come out–and here it is. Optically, this puppy is nearly identical to the f/2.8 version. When the Fed Ex guy handed me the box from B&H, I was wondering if they forgot to put the lens in it. It is that light. I am shocked at how light this lens is. While it is larger than my 70-200, it is much lighter. It isn’t a Phase-Fresnel lens so Nikon has worked some magic to make a 400mm f/4.5 this small and light, which is perfect for what I need it for. The 400mm also pairs very well with the new Z 1.4x and 2x teleconverters to give me a 560mm f/6.3 and a 800mm f/9. If you need a top-end telephoto lens but don’t want to carry a beast around this might just be the lens you have been looking for. Buy Online >>
This teleconverter is better than any other teleconverter I have ever seen from Nikon. Nikon has definitely improved the optical quality and the build quality of their teleconverters. The 1.4x teleconverter is a great combo with the 70-200 f/2.8 and my 400mm f/4.5. This 1.4X teleconverter makes my 70-200 a 98-280mm f/4 lens and it makes my 400mm f/4.5 lens a 560mm f/6.3 lens. If you have any of the longer telephoto Nikkor Z lenses then this teleconverter is kind of a no brainer. Buy Online >>
This teleconverter is better than any other 2X teleconverter I have ever seen from Nikon. Usually, I would only use a 1.4x teleconverter but since Nikon has improved the optical quality of the Nikkor Z 70-200mm lens (shown above) and their teleconverters as well, this is a great combo with the 70-200. This 2X teleconverter makes my 70-200 a 140-400mm f/5.6 lens and the teleconverter only weighs 270 grams! The two pair up nicely and there is barely any noticeable drop in image quality. If you have the 70-200 then this teleconverter is kind of a no brainer. Buy Online >>
Camera Accessories
The following camera accessories are items I find critical to my work. Whether it is a Hoodman loupe, a Really Right Stuff camera plate (for mounting my cameras to my Kirk Photo BH-1 ball head), or items for cleaning my camera sensor, these items are a key to making it all happen. Click on the links below for more information on each item.
For checking images on the back of DSLRs the Hoodman Loupe comes in handy. It is also useful when shooting video on the go. Buy Online >>
Really Right Stuff Camera Plates
Really Right Stuff makes a lot of great gear. I have RRS plates on all of my cameras and on a few of my larger lenses. Buy Online >>
When the rains come or when I am shooting at the beach and want to protect my camera and lens I reach for the Aquatech Raincovers. These are durable high-end rain covers that do the job admirably and let you keep shooting in less than ideal weather. Buy Online >>
Outex Waterproof Camera Housing
Over the years, I have had a variety of hard shell camera housings for various cameras including both the super high-end CMT carbon fiber surf housing for my Nikon D4 and also various Aquatech surf housings, but they are all built for a specific camera model and it is very expensive to replace a water housing every time you upgrade your camera. The Outex housings are not as bullet-proof as the hardshell housings but they are well-built and can accommodate pretty much any camera and lens combination. For 90% of my work in and around the water the Outex housings work perfectly for what I need to do. For those rare times when I am swimming into huge waves I can rent an Aquatech housing or something similar. The other upside to the Outex water housings is that you can easily adjust pretty much anything on your camera, which isn’t the case with hard shell housings. Buy Online >>
VisibleDust Zee Pro Bulb Blower
The VisibleDust Zee Pro bulb blower, designed specifically for cleaning digital camera sensors, is the first and best option for cleaning your camera sensor. This goes with me on just about every assignment these days and if this won’t get the dust off then I resort to more invasive cleaning options–as shown below. Buy Online >>
Eclipse Optic Cleaning Solution
For cleaning your sensor this is the original sensor cleaning solution. I use this, along with Sensor Swabs, to get those stubborn dust spots off the my sensor. Buy Online >>
In combination with the Eclipse Optic Cleaning Solution above, these form the backbone of my sensor cleaning kit. Buy Online >>
Lens Accessories
After much trial and error over the years, I have found B+W filters and Sign-Ray filters to be some of the best anywhere. As an adventure photographer, I tend to beat up my gear quite a bit, which is why all of my lenses have protective B+W UV filters on them and I always put the lens hood on my lenses to protect them from rocks, rain, mud and anything else that might damage the lens. I also replace all of my B+W filters every two or three years when they start to get scratched up. Click on the links below for more information on each item.
B+W 77mm UV Haze Slim MRC 010M Filter
I have B+W UV filters on the front of all my lenses to protect the front elements from getting beat up. As an adventure photographer these are key to protecting my lenses. Buy Online >>
Singh-Ray 77mm Vari-ND Variable Neutral Density Filter
This Singh-Ray filter allows me to create motion blur images in the middle of the day and/or cut down the amount of light that reaches the sensor. It also serves as a great tool for shooting video when you don’t want to carry a matte box and a ton of ND filters. Buy Online >>
Memory Cards and Card Readers
When choosing memory cards I opt for the most reliable cards possible. In general, that means I use SanDisk cards. They have never let me down. I also use the latest Sony XQD and SD Tough memory cards with my Nikon D850, which have also been very reliable. Using the fastest memory cards available is of paramount importance to my work so that I can maximize the number of images written to the memory card when shooting at high framing rates and when recording video. I know there are a lot of folks out there that don’t like the XQD format but they are smoking fast cards and easy to deal with. Downloading memory cards can also be a huge workflow time-suck. To download my images I use the fastest USB 3.0 card readers I can find. Click on the links below for more information on each item.
I need the toughest, fastest memory cards I can find and these new Sony cards are the best SD cards I have ever used. They can take a beating and are wicked fast. I have eight of the 128 GB cards that I use in my Nikon D850. Buy Online >>
Sony 128 GB CFexpress Type B TOUGH Memory Cards
These new CFexpress cards are wicked fast and read and write at 1700 MB/s and a480 MB/s respectively. At the moment they can only be used in my Nikon Z6 but these are the cards of the future and every camera company would do well to use these memory cards in future pro caliber camera models. Buy Online >>
Sony 120 GB G-Series XQD Memory Cards
XQD memory cards are currently the fastest memory cards on the market (at least until CFExpress cards arrive). I swear by XQD cards. They are the most robust, fail safe memory cards I have ever used. Highly recommended. Buy Online >>
Sony XQD/SD Memory Card Reader
This USB 3.0 Sony memory card reader works with the fastest XQD and SD cards on the market. Since my main cards these days are XQD and SD cards, this is the one reader I need to work with the majority of my memory cards. Buy Online>>
Sony CFexpress Type B/XQD Memory Card Reader
This CFExpress memory card reader, just like the CFExpress cards, is crazy fast and allows me to download images faster than ever before. Buy Online >>
Strobes and Strobe Modifiers
Strobes, a.k.a. large flashes, are critical to my work. I use strobes to augment the lighting in both adventure images as well as portraits. Because I work outdoors 99.9% of the time, I rely on battery-powered strobes for most of my lighting. Elinchrom offers top-notch lighting gear and a variety of options when it comes to battery-powered strobes. I have chosen Elinchrom strobes because of their excellent build quality, weatherproofness, consistent light output and color temperatures and especially for their super-fast flash durations at full power. Elinchrom’s Hi-Sync (HS) flash technology, with their HS flash heads, also allows me to create never before possible images because I can overpower daylight from 60-feet away. They are also the only strobe manufacturer to offer both HS (Hi-Sync) and HSS (High Speed Sync) strobe options. Check out my Equipment Review page for full reviews of much of this lighting gear. Also, if you want more information on how I use artificial lighting to enhance my images check out my in-depth e-book, Location Lighting for the Outdoor Photographer. Click on the links below for more information on each item.
Elinchrom ELB 1200 HS to Go Kit
The ELB 1200 is my main lighting kit this days. As the lightest and most technologically advanced 1200 W/s battery-powered strobe on the market it is a great set up for outdoor photographers. It also allows me to pull off otherwise impossible images. Buy Online >>
Elinchrom ELB 1200 Action Head
Along with the ELB 1200 HS flash heads, I also have the ELB 1200 Action flash heads for when I am shooting at or below my camera’s flash sync speed. These are also the flash heads I use when shooting with lead shutters. Buy Online >>
This is a higher power ELB 1200 battery that allows for 400 full power flashes. It can’t be taken on a plane but for those time when I drive to the location, I opt to take this battery instead of the standard ELB 1200 Air battery. Buy Online >>
The ELB 1200 Dock allows for use of the ELB 1200 battery pack as a mains studio pack. This makes the ELB 1200 the most versatile strobe on the market by a large margin. Simple remove the battery and snap the ELB 1200 pack onto this Dock and you have a studio pack that plugs into AC power. Buy Online >>
The most powerful battery-powered strobe that Elinchrom currently makes is the Elinchrom FIVE. This is an all-in-one moonlight with a detachable battery that can also be plugged into the wall and work as a studio light. Elinchrom has optimized the HSS (High Speed Sync) capabilities so that this light is on par with the ELB400 in Hi-Sync mode. The FIVE has become my go to medium powered outdoor adventure strobe. Check out my full review of the Elinchrom FIVE here on the blog. Buy Online >>
The ELB 500 TTL is their first TTL and HSS (High Speed Sync) strobe and it is quite a sweet kit. For portraiture, where I don’t need the power of the ELB 1200, this is my go to battery-powered strobe kit. Buy Online >>
The ELB 400 has been my main go to lightweight strobe kit for many years now. With three flash heads that can attach to it, including an HS flash head, it is one of the most versatile strobes on the market. It is also one of the most powerful and lightweight flash options anywhere. Buy Online >>
The ONE is a new small form factor mono bloc from Elinchrom. Even though it is only 131 Ws, the actual light output is much more efficient than the Watt-Second rating my lead you to believe. The new interface and simple layout make this new strobe a joy to use. The light stand attachment foot can also be removed to make it even sleeker and easier to fit into a camera bag. When I want to go light and fast but still want impeccable light quality I take the ONE. Buy Online >>
Elinchrom Quadra Reflector Adapter MK-II
The Quadra Reflector Adapter allows for mounting the ELB 400 and ELB 500 TTL flash heads onto the larger light modifiers. I have one of these for each of my flash heads. It is a simple device that just snaps on. I often just leave them connected to my flash heads all the time. Buy Online >>
Elinchrom Ranger RX Ringflash 1500
For some portrait setups I love to use a ringflash to fill in highlights. I have had this older Elinchrom Ranger ring flash for a long time and with an adapter cable it plugs into my ELB 400 strobe packs. Buy Online >>
The standard reflector is a must have accessory for any flash head. Elinchrom’s also has a groove to attache 7-inch grids. Buy Online >>
Elinchrom Grid Reflector, 7″- 60 Degrees
The Elinchrom Grid Reflector is another metal reflector specifically designed for their grids. I also have a full grid set from Elinchrom to fit this reflector as well. Buy Online >>
Elinchrom Reflector and Honeycomb Grid Set
Grids are not the most well known light modifier but they are really useful when you need to direct light to a very specific place as part of a larger lighting setup. or all on their own. Buy Online >>
Built to an exceptionally high standard, the Deep Umbrella is a go to light modifier when I need to travel light and also want a high-end look. Buy Online >>
Elinchrom Deep Umbrella Diffusion
If you purchase the Deep Umbrella, make sure to get the diffusion panel that goes over the flash head and the umbrella. This makes for a giant soft box that is super lightweight and easy to use. Buy Online >>
Elinchrom Softlite 17” Reflector (White)
The beauty dish, a.k.a. the Softlite Reflector, is another of my go to light modifiers. In the outdoors it is a solid soft box that doesn’t catch as much wind as a giant tent-like soft box and in the studio it is the defecto beauty light for those with high check bones. Buy Online >>
Elinchrom Diffuser for Softlite Reflector
The Diffuser for the Softlite Reflector (a.k.a. Beauty Dish) softens the light and turns this into a small soft box with very uniform light output. Buy Online >>
Elinchrom High Performance Reflector
This reflector is my main go to reflector for lighting up adventure sports and any action that happens at a distance. This reflector focuses the light and pushes it a long distance. It is a hard light source that replicates the sun nicely. Buy Online >>
If you want truly hard light that mimics high noon sun then this is the reflector you want. This baby is a mirror polished giant reflector that gives you the maximum light output. It is huge, and difficult to travel with but it’s unique light output comes in handy from time to time when you need the ultimate light efficiency. Buy Online >>
Elinchrom Rotalux Softbox 27 x 27″
This soft box is small and portable, which is perfect for those times when you want to go light and fast. This one goes with me on just about every assignment. Buy Online >>
This soft box grid goes over the front of the Rotalux 27×27-inch soft box and helps to control the spill of the light coming out of the front of the box. A great accessory. 90% of the time I have this grid on the front of my 27×27-inch soft box. Buy Online >>
Elinchrom 39″ Rotalux Deep OctaBox
If there is only one soft box you buy then this is it. No matter what brand of strobe you have, this soft box will fit it. It has something special that very few other soft boxes can replicate, which is probably why you see this mounted on tons of other brand strobes. I can’t recommend this one highly enough. Buy Online >>
Elinchrom Rotalux 59″ Indirect Softbox
This is a smaller, lighter version of the Indirect LiteMotiv Octa (shown below) and it is easier to travel with and it is also less than half the price of the Octa. This is my backup giant soft box and it offers great light output but I will say it isn’t as nice as the Octa. I often use this soft box in tandem with the Octa on big shoots.Buy Online >>
Elinchrom Indirect LiteMotiv Octa
This is the granddaddy of soft boxes. Every top pro portrait photography you have ever heard of uses this soft box. Its light output is phenomenal and it might be the only soft box on the market that has near perfectly even illumination from corner to corner. This soft box is like cheating. Seriously, if you need the best light you have ever seen from a light modifier then this is the ticket. Buy Online >>
Elinchrom Indirect Recta Softbox
As rectangular soft boxes go, there are few that are better than this Indirect model from Elinchrom. For those times when I want the ultimate three light setup I have two of these that I use as rim lights. A perfect match for the Indirect Octa shown above. Buy Online >>
Elinchrom LiteMotiv Octa 120cm
The LiteMotiv Octa 120 cm is like a giant focused beauty dish. The light emitted from this soft box isn’t as even as the LiteMotiv Octa but it is smaller box, with more directed light. It also has a very rounded front profile, which results in nice round catchlights in the eyes. I use this one both in the studio and out on location as it is relatively easy to travel with. Buy Online >>
Gels are key to creative lighting. They can also really help out when trying to match the ambient lighting in some scenarios. I have a belly roll filled with various gels of all sizes. Buy Online >>
Wireless Transceivers
Wireless “radio” transceivers allow me to work untethered with all of my flash and strobe equipment. They also allow me to remotely trigger cameras, which for adventure sports photography can be the difference between getting the shot or going home empty handed. Since I use Elinchrom strobes, I naturally have their Skyport system. The Elinchrom Skyport Transmitter Pro is my main go to transceiver when I am shooting with strobes. It allows me to trigger my Elinchrom strobes at up to 1/8,000th second using the Elinchrom Hi-Sync and HSS technologies. Click on the links below for more information on each item.
Elinchrom Skyport Transmitter Pro Fujifilm
The Fujifilm Skyport transmitter works perfectly with my FUJIFILM GFX 100 when using both HS and HSS strobes. I use this transmitter with all of my Elinchrom strobes including the ELB 1200, ELB 400 and RLB 500 TTL battery-powered strobes. It allows me to control the strobes from the transmitter itself, even if they are far away from my shooting position. Buy Online >>
Elinchrom Skyport Transmitter Pro Nikon
To control and trigger my Elinchrom strobes I use the Elinchrom Skyport Transmitter Pro for my Nikon cameras. It is a very versatile transmitter that works with both Hi-Sync and HSS flash techniques. Buy Online >>
Grip Equipment
Grip Equipment, as it is known in the industry, is the stuff the holds your lighting gear and anything else required to lock down lighting gear. I have an odd assortment of light stands, clamps, grip arms and heads. I seem to be incredibly tough on light stands and grip equipment. I have gone through a dozen or more light stands over the last 15 years or so and finally have found the ones that are built well enough to withstand the abuse I seem to dish out. Hence, if you are looking for Light stands these are rock solid options that will put up with tons of abuse. Note that I don’t use C-Stands, which are the go-to light stand for studio use, because almost all of my shoots happen on uneven ground in remote corners of the globe. Click on the links or the images below for more information on each item.
Manfrotto 1004BAC-3 Light Stand
These Manfrotto Light Stands have been stellar. They pack down flat and travel very well. They are the perfect size for when you need a decent size, reliable light stand and don’t want to take a C-Stand or a Hollywood Beefy Baby. Buy Online >>
Manfrotto 1051BAC Mini Compact Stand
I don’t really use Speedlights that often but when I do these smaller compact Manfrotto stands are super lightweight and pack down flat like the larger Stacker Stands listed above. Buy Online >>
Matthews Hollywood Beefy Baby Stand
The Hollywood Beefy Baby stand is a first class set up. I love these stands. They are heavy but that weight helps to hold up even the largest light modifiers on a big strobe kit. If we aren’t miles away from the car, then this is the stand I take. Buy Online >>
Matthews Hollywood Grip Arm Kit
A grip arm is essential to positioning the light just where you want it. It also gives you a little bit extra reach if you are trying to boost the light really high. Buy Online >>
Grip Heads are incredibly useful for all kinds of support. We have a few extra of these in our kit because you just never know when you will need it. Buy Online >>
C-stands (A.k.a. Century Stands) have been around since the dawn of artificial lighting. They are heavy and are designed pretty much only for studio usage but when you need them, you need them. These from Kupo are top-notch. Buy Online >>
The Magic Arm is an industry standard. These get used when you need to clamp something to a railing or any tubular metal object. I don’t use them that often but they do come in handy from time to time. Buy Online >>
Shot Bags are way nicer than sand bags to secure your light stands. They don’t leak sand everywhere and the seem to last a lot longer. I love these 15-pound Kupo shot bags. Buy Online >>
Spring clamps are a must have is you are working with a background. They hod the background in place and keep it from unspooling. They are also useful for all kinds of miscellaneous uses. Buy Online >>
Gaffer’s Tape is a must have lighting accessory. We have several rolls in our office and always have one on hand when out on assignment. This stuff can tape down anything. I even know of one photographer who taped himself upside down in a tree using gaffers tape. Buy Online >>
Camera Support
Tripods and tripod heads are much more important than most people are aware of when it comes to critical image sharpness. When I started out I purchased a cheap tripod and tripod head. After a few years, I noticed that my images were not as sharp as I expected them to be. I realized that my tripod setup was severely lacking and the cause of unnecessary vibration. From then on, I vowed to track down the finest tripods and tripod heads I could find and not spare any expense when it came to supporting my cameras. A solid tripod system is not only a requirement for long exposures and landscape photography, but also for shooting sports with huge lenses. My search for the best tripods led me to Gitzo, who in my opinion, still make the finest tripods found anywhere. As far as tripod heads, I have a variety of different ball heads that I work with. I match the ball head with each tripod so that they work well for the weight of the camera and lens combination I will typically be using for that setup. I also have a Wimberley head, which is the ideal tripod head when shooting with huge telephoto lenses. And finally, I use Really Right Stuff camera and lens plates to attach my cameras and lenses to the tripod head. You can find a link to the Really Right Stuff plates above in the Camera Accessories section. Click on the links below for more information on each item.
This is an older model of the GT5543. These tripods last forever if taken care of. If you ask me, Gitzo still makes the best tripods in the business. I have had this one for more than a decade without any issues. Buy Online >>
Gitzo GT2541 Carbon Fiber tripod
This is an older Mountaineer model. It is much lighter weight than the GT5541LS above, and much more portable. It also has an extendable center post which comes in handy for small adjustments. Buy Online >>
My now ancient 1340 still works perfectly. It is heavy, and not as supportive as the GT5541LS, but it gets the job done. I have had this tripod for more than 20-years and it just keeps going and going. When we need an extra tripod this one comes out of the closet. Buy Online >>
A good monopod can make or break a shot. This carbon fiber monopod from Gitzo is as good as it gets. When shooting with big cameras and lenses in situations where I need to be mobile I use a monopod. Buy Online >>
Really Right Stuff Monopod Head MH-01
For the greatest versatility, a monopod dead really helps to position the camera. This one from Really Right Stuff is a beautifully made rock-solid monopod head. Buy Online >>
The BH-1 has served me well for more than fifteen years. I have had it repaired once, after an assistant dropped it, but other than that it has been a pleasure to use and it is by far the sturdiest bullhead I own. This is mounted on my Gitzo GT5541LS for a heavy duty tripod kit. Buy Now >>
Acratech GP-s Ballhead with Lever Clamp
The Acratech ball head is lightweight and still clamps down hard enough for a 70-200mm lens or even a lightweight 300mm lens. I have this mounted on my Gitzo GT2541 for my mid-weight tripod kit. Buy Online >>
Really Right Stuff BH-30 Ballhead
This tiny little bullhead is for those times when I need to move light and fast. I have this mounted on a tiny little tripod that I carry when I am mountaineering or backpacking and need to go ultra lite. I typically only put a light DSLR or mirrorless camera on this head. Buy Online >>
The Wimberley head is strictly for shooting with giant telephoto lenses—think 400mm f/2.8 up to 800mm f/5.6 type lenses. I got this specifically for shooting surfing from the beach. It works incredibly well. There are many imitations of this head but none are better than the original. Buy Online >>
Camera and Lighting Bags
Getting my gear to the remote locations that I work in is always a challenge. Hence, I have a plethora of different bags for both my camera and lighting equipment. For the camera bags, I have settled on f-stop camera bags as my main bag of choice. They are by far the most versatile camera backpacks on the market and the wide variety of ICUs available for them also make them customizable for each specific situation. For my lighting kits, I have several options including the fantastic Lightware cases, Pelican Cases and a few Tenba options. I match the set of bags and cases I take with me to the assignment. If I am shooting in and around water, i.e. surfing, then I take the Pelican cases. If I will be hiking a long distance with my cameras then I take the F-Stop backpacks and variety of ICUs. Click on the links below for more information on each item.
The Anja is my main go to photo backpack these days. It is great for travel and fits easily into the smaller overhead bins of regional jets, which is key for a lot of my assignments. The ICU system is also second to none and protects my incredibly expensive gear. Buy Online >>
The Tilopa is a larger version of the Anja with better support. As a 50-liter pack, it can also hold more camera gear or more outdoor gear, whatever the case may be. I take this in addition to my Anja often for those times when I need more space. Buy Online >>
This is one of the larger ICUs that f-stop makes. If I can’t fit everything into this ICU then I probably don’t want to carry it very far. If needed, I will often stack the Small Pro ICU on top of this in my Tilopa pack. Buy Online >>
Sometimes you need a decent sized camera kit but not a ton of gear, and that is where the Medium Shallow ICU comes in handy. Especially if I am taking a mirrorless kit then often this is the go to ICU and all I need. The beauty of this one is that it also leaves lots of room for extra clothes, water and food. Buy Online >>
The Small Pro ICU comes in hand when I want to go light and fast and carry a bunch of extra outdoor gear on top of the camera gear. I also use these cases to put my Elinchrom strobes in when carrying massive outdoor backpacks. It is difficult to overstate how useful these cubes are–and especially this one. Buy Online >>
The Navin is a very versatile and useful accessory for when you only need one camera and one lens, which is fairly often in the adventure sports genre. This often goes in the top of my Anja or Tilopa with an extra body and lens ready to go. It also clips on nicely to the hip belt or the sternum strap of a pack. Buy Online >>
Traveling with lighting gear is a royal pain these days. This bag makes it much easier. Fully loaded it can easily supersede the airline weight limits but the bag itself is crazy lightweight for how tough it is. I can stand on this bag and not deform it. For a 9-pound bag that is damn impressive. This bag is also specific to Elinchrom lighting gear. Buy Online >>
Tenba Tansport Air 2520W Rolling Case
If I can get the lighting gear I need into this case I much prefer it over the Lightware case above just because it rolls–and that makes a huge difference when getting to and from the location and through airports. It is slightly heavier than the Lightware case above and holds a little less as well but it is similarly bombproof and extremely well made. Buy Online >>
Tenba Rolling Tripod/Grip Case 48″
A light stand, tripod and grip case is essential when lugging lighting gear around and this is the best one I have ever used. The wheels on this are essential as fully loaded this can easily weigh a 100-pounds. Buy Online >>
Before I wised up and purchased the above Tenba grip case I used this Lightware case, which I still own. It is a great case but fully loaded it weighs a ton so be aware. These days it is my light modifier case so I can corral all of those giant soft boxes. Buy Online >>
The Pelican 1510 is a standard of the industry for photographers. It is the perfect size to hold camera equipment or a small lighting kit. I have had this thing for many years. Make sure you get one with the TrekPak interior, which is ultra versatile. Buy Online >>
The Pelican 1610 is a big case. I use this for those times when I need to fly with a lot of lighting gear and/or with water housings for my Nikons. Make sure you get the TrekPak inserts for this one. Buy Online >>
The Pelican 1490 computer cases are rock solid. If my laptop is going to be out of my hand during transport then I trust it to this case. I also pack in hard drives, cables, memory card readers and any thing else I will need. It is a mobile office for the worst case weather scenarios. Buy Online >>
Video Equipment
As video productions have become more and more a part of my assignment work, I have added video equipment to my kit as needed. Here is a smattering of the video gear that I own and use with my Nikon Z 6. Please note that I often rent a lot of the gear needed for video productions or the partners I work with bring it with them. I often work with Red Digital Cinema cameras for many of my video productions. Working with the heavier, larger format cameras, like the Red Epic and Red Scarlet, require an extensive kit well beyond the basics shown here. Click on the links for more information on each item.
Atomos Ninja V 4K Monitor and Recorder
The Nikon Z 6 is the first mirrorless camera that can record full RAW video output. To access that raw output you have to use the Atoms Ninja V. The Ninja V is a great monitor and the output is pretty phenomenal from such a small rig. Buy Online >>
Designed for the Atoms Ninja V recorder, this SSd hard drive supports sequential write speeds up to 500 MB/s, which allows it to capture high-quality 4K RAW footage with the Nikon Z 6. A must have if you are using the Ninja V. Buy Online >>
I will say that the pre-amps on the Nikon cameras are horrible so this microphone has limited usage on my Nikons. But, even so, it is a great mic on most other brands of cameras and also allows me to sync sound better with my Zoom H5. Buy Online >>
When shooting in windy conditions a Dead Cat helps. This one works with the VideoMic Pro. Buy Online >>
Manfrotto 504HD Fluid Video Head
A solid video head for lightweight DSLR or mirrorless video systems. The 504HD is a reasonably priced, and relatively lightweight fluid video head. Buy Online >>
Manfrotto 526B Fluid Video Monopod
A video monopod can really help a production to move fast and light, especially with the new, smaller mirrorless cameras. This Manfrotto option has all the bells and whistles to make life easy on set. Buy Online >>
Gitzo Systematic Leveling Base
This leveling base is great for use with the Wimberley Head as well as with the Manfrotto 504HD fluid video head to level out the tripod once it is setup. Buy Online >>
Benro MoveOver 12 36-inch Carbon Slider
This is a big slider, made for larger camera kits. We use it with the Red Digital Cinema cameras as well as with our smaller DSLRs and mirrorless rigs. Paired with the Benro Motion controller below it is a solid slider setup. Buy Now >>
Benro Move On 10 Motion Control
The MoveOn10 motion controller works with the above Benro slider. It is great for controlling a camera for time lapses or video. Buy Online >>
The Zoom H6 is a stellar stand along sound recorder. We use this on smaller productions where we don’t have a sound person on set. The sound quality is amazing. Buy Online >>
The Bose noise cancelling headphones are great for video production and also for travel. I have these with me on just about every single trip I take. I don’t get on a plane without them. Mine is an older version, but it has lasted a really long time. Buy Online >>
The GoPro cameras have been a staple for adventure photographers for a long time—they invented the category. I have several GoPros ranging from the Hero 5 up to the Hero 10. The latest versions have better stabilization for video but the stills performance hasn’t really improved that much in a long time. Regardless of the model, GoPros are incredibly powerful cameras in the right situation. We have mounted these onto fighter jets, wing suit BASE jumpers and have taken then underwater on surfing assignments. They never miss a beat. Buy Online >>
Computers and Monitors
In the digital age, I rely heavily on my computers and monitors to produce images and video content. Since my university days, I have worked exclusively with Apple computers. They are the backbone of my digital workflow along with Eizo ColorEdge monitors. Eizo produces the top-end, most color accurate monitors anywhere and they are just as key to my digital workflow as the cameras and lenses I use. Lastly, I also use a Wacom tablet for my post-production and they are also indespensible. To connect everything up to all of the hard drives I use a CalDigit docking station that connects to my laptop. Click on the links below for more information on each item.
With the high resolution cameras I work with I need the fastest computers I can get. I am often traveling non-stop as well so I have to work on the road quite a bit. Hence, the laptop. I have been using Apple computers since university–since Apple was first started! They still serve me well. This latest 15-inch top-end, fully loaded laptop is my go to computer. I have two of these, one for the road and one for the office. Buy Online >>
The henge Dock saves me a lot of space on my desk and allows me to plug in a CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 TS3 Plus docking station to my laptop as well that is then connected to all of my hard drives and peripherals. These are super easy to use and incredibly well-crafted—just like the Apple computers they hold. Buy Online >>
This little docking station is critical to be able to connect the 100-plus terabytes of hard drives that sit on my desk. It plugs into the Henge Dock and then all of my hard drives and peripherals are plugged into this powered docking station. It also has a handy SD memory card reader on the front of it as well. CalDigit isn’t super well known but they make some of the best hard drive enclosures on the Planet. Buy Now >>
The Eizo ColorEdge CG319X is the heart of my digital workflow and one of the most critical items I own as a photographer. Check out my full review of the CG319X on my blog. Literally, the monitor you work up images on is in some ways more important than what camera you shot the image with or what lens was used. If color matters to you then an Eizo monitor is key to making sure your color is dialed in. The CG319X is Eizo’s top-end color accurate Adobe RGB monitor. It is also one of their most expensive monitors but when you factor in how much time you spend editing your images and amortize that cost over the ten years or more you will work with a monitor it makes a lot more sense. For photography, this is literally the best monitor on the planet. Buy Online >>
The Wacom is indispensable for high-end post-production and retouching. Trust me, if you have never used one before you will hate it for the first few months and then you will wonder how you could ever live without it. Buy the best one you can afford. I would recommend the small or medium sizes. Buy Online >>
Storage
While it may not seem as exciting as some of the other items here, hard drives and the systems I use to store my images are critical for preserving the content I produce. I have had many hard drives fail on me and I have lost an entire shoot save for the selects, which were sent to the client. Hence, I have learned the hard way just how important it is to have a solid backup system and how important it is to choose a reliable storage solution. All of my images are backed up no less than four times and two of those backups are off-site. I have found that the Other World Computing (OWC) products, especially the OWC Thunderbay 4 RAID and OWC Thunderbay 6 RAID enclosures, to be the fastest, most robust and economically viable storage solution on the market for large amounts of data. I have also found G-Tech products (they are a subsidiary of Hitachi) to be very well made and a great asset to my storage workflow. With well over 100 terabytes worth of hard drives, I have used just about every brand out there. I trust my data to Seagate and Hitachi internal hard drives. Click on the links below for more information on each item.
OWC Thunderbay 6 60TB RAID 5 Array
With High Resolution still and motion cameras these days I am filling up hard drives faster than ever. The Thunderbay 6 offers a ton of storage and a wicked fast interface for backing up content. It is also upgradable so your investment isn’t lost when you need to upgrade. Buy Online >>
OWC Thunderbay 4 24TB RAID 5 Array
The OWC Thunderbay 4 has been my rock solid back up solution for years now until I purchased an even larger array, the Thunderbay 6 noted above. It is still a rock solid solution that is very fast. I have three of these in my office. Buy Online >>
If you need a wicked fast mobile hard drive solution these G-Tech Mobile Pro SSD drives are very hard to beat. With transfer speeds at up to 2800 MB/s these are ten times faster than just about anything else out there. Buy Online >>
These are a more affordable version of the above Mobile Pro SSD hard drives but they are not nearly as fast as the Mobile Pro SSDs. Nonetheless, they are still fairly fast compared to the standard ev RAW mobile hard drives listed below. Buy Now >>
The G-Tech hard drives are great when I need to have a ton of storage on location. Since they are standard spinning disk hard drives they are nowhere near as fast as the SSD options but you can have a ton of storage at an affordable price. But Now >>
Seagate BarraCuda Pro 12 TB Hard Drive
For Internal Storage in my OWC Thunderbay 4 HD Arrays I have quite a few of these BarraCuda hard drives. They have been super reliable. I have both 6 TB and 12 TB varieties running in my RAID arrays. Buy Online >>
HGST 12 TB Ultrastar Enterprise Class Hard Drives
These are perhaps the most reliable hard drives on the market. I use these Enterprise Class hard drives in my OWC Thunderbay 6. They are rock solid, but expensive. Buy Now >>
Printers and Accessories
I have owned both Epson and Canon ink jet photo printers at one time or another over the last 25 years. My current printer is the Epson 3880. If I could recommend one printer it would be any of the new Epson SureColor printers. The 3880 I have is an older model and no longer made, but it is still working perfectly. I have never used any other printer that is so easy to use and with which excellent results are so easy to achieve. The Epson SureColor P800 has replaced the 3880 and has similar if not better print quality. As for papers, I have tried a wide range of papers and have found Ilford’s baryta and fine art papers to be my favorite. Ilford’s Gold Fibre Silk and Cotton Artist Textured are my two mainstay papers. When I need to proof an image to check colors I use Epson’s Proofing Paper Semimatte. Click on the links below for more information on each item.
Epson Stylus Pro 3880 Ink Jet Printer
The 3880 is an older model Epson, but mine still works great. Living in the desert, printers tend to clog up ridiculously fast here and the 3880 has been champion in that regard. The SureColor P800 replaced this printer a few years ago and has equally if not better print quality than my 3880. Buy Online >>
Gold Fibre Silk is my #1 favorite paper on the market by far. I love the look and feel of GFS. There are a lot of copycat papers out there but few live up to the quality of this one. It has a very wide Dmax (dynamic range) and pretty much every image prints well on this stellar paper. Buy Online >>
Ilford Cotton Artist Textured Paper
When it comes to fine art papers there are a few that can take certain images to a whole other level. Cotton Artist Textured has a very heavy tooth and it doesn’t work well with all images but those that do look incredible on this paper. Buy Online >>
An all purpose matte fine art paper with decent dynamic range. I don’t print on matte papers that often but this is a solid bet if you like the look of matte paper. Buy Online >>
Epson Proofing Paper Semimatte
This paper is specifically for making proof prints for CMYK offset presses. I used to print all of my images on this paper to make sure they would print well back before the internet and social media took over. Now, very few of my images make it too print. Buy Online >>
Color Management Tools
Solid color management is the backbone of everything in the digital photography world. Without these tools my images would not reproduce with accurate colors and tones. Along with my monitors and printers, these tools allow me to work up my images with confidence knowing that the color is accurately displayed. I have used just about every X-Rite device they make and the i1 Photo Pro 2 is the best I have ever used. With it I can make bang on monitor profiles and printer profiles so that my prints match my monitor dead on. The Just Normlicht viewing box is also a critical piece of the puzzle to make sure I am viewing my images under accurate lighting. And finally, I use Solux bulbs in my office to make sure the lighting is not throwing off my ability to accurately judge color. Click on the links below for more information on each item.
The i1 Photo Pro 2 is the best of the best monitor calibration devices. I can create monitor profiles, calibrate LCD projectors and make ICC printer profiles. There are no other devices on the market that are in this league. Buy Online >>
The ColorChecker Passport is great for dialing in the color on set to make sure you have accurate color all the way through the post-processing. It also works via a Plug-in with Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Buy Online >>
Lastolite EzyBalance Grey Card
This is my top grey card for setting in-camera custom white balance. Please note this works better with some cameras than others. With my Nikons it sets an incredibly accurate in-camera white balance. Buy Online >>
JUST ColorMaster CM3 Viewing Box
This is a top-end print viewing box with very accurate daylight balance light. If you print your images getting a print viewing box is of paramount importance to see if your prints are matching your monitor. Buy Online >>
This lamp sits on my desk and I have Solux daylight balanced bulbs in this lamp to have perfect lighting in my office. A dialed in color management setup starts with the work environment so these little details are critical. Buy Online >>
These bulbs are the most accurate daylight balanced bulbs in the world. they are used in all of hte top museums like the Louvre, the Musee d’Orsay, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Guggenheim Museum. I have the 35 Watt 4700 K Solux bulbs in all my lamps here in the office. Buy Online >>
Miscellaneous
Below are a mishmash of odds and ends that come in handy when working up images, giving presentations, keeping my cords organized, taking light readings, etc. I use quite a few of the Adobe applications included in the Adobe Creative Cloud like Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign, Acrobat, Premiere Pro, After Effects and so forth. Adobe products are a key element of my workflow. I might also be one of the few people on earth that actually uses a light meter when working with strobes and flash equipment. I find it more accurate and easier to get great results right off the bat when using a light meter. Finally, Red Bull helps me get stuff done and it helps me deal with the long hours out in the field or in the office. Click on the links below for more information on each item.
I was a Beta tester for Adobe for a decade and shot the first assignment for Lightroom way back in 2006 so Adobe products are a huge part of my workflow—and their products are all pretty fantastic. The cloud might seem egregious to some but it is way, way cheaper than updating software every few years back in the day. Subscribe Online >>
Sekonic LightMaster Pro L-478DR-U-EL
A light meter is not something many photographers use these days but it will make you look like a pro (and be professional) if you are on set with 20 people watching you work. This Sekonic is small, lightweight and works very well with my Elinchrom strobes. Buy Online >>
Epson PowerLite 1776W Projector
This little projector is a few generations old but I purchased it for speaking engagements and also for photo workshops so I could have a color calibrated LCD projector to make sure my images looked decent on a screen. It has been tired and tru and travels well because of its smaller footprint. Buy Online >>
Lastolite Collapsible reflector
These small reflectors can add up to powerful lighting solutions in the right circumstances. I always have one or more of these in my grip kit. Buy Online >>
This little battery case is super simple but very effective at wrangling all those AA and AAA batteries. Buy Online >>
These come in handy for keeping all of the cords that I travel with nice and neat. Buy Online >>
I drink far too much of this stuff. I don’t like the taste of coffee so I just can’t do it. Red Bull does exactly what it says it will do. After an 8.4 ounce can, shit just gets done for the next six hours.
