While this is still quite a ways off, I started thinking about an equipment checklist of sorts for a night shoot. I remember from the last shoot some items I was glad to have, and some I wished that I had. In making my own checklist I figured I would tap the knowledge of DPC artists and see what I might be missing.
With that in mind, here is a list of some items I do not always carry with my regular camera kit (except maybe the tripod) that I plan to carry on this night shoot.
Edit: This has been edited to reflect some of the great suggestions below, and is now broken up into three sections - Camera Equipment, Clothing and Supplies.
Camera Equipment
Tripod Probably the most essential item for a night shoot. Without a sturdy base you can take flash shots and interesting streaky shots, but those great crisp landscape shots will not be possible.
Cable Release Not an absolute requirement if you plan on keeping your shots to 30 seconds or less (self timer covers that), but if you want to use bulb timing, a cable release is necessary. Thankfully the basic cable release is not a very expensive purchase.
Eyepiece cover To prevent light from creeping in when shooting long exposures. Built into the Canon OEM strap, for example.
Luminescent watch or some other timer For those of us without the mac-daddy programmable cable release (mine only has the slide lock to hold the shutter open) we need a way to time the long exposures. Indiglo is my choice :-)
Flashlight A mini maglite is a great item to have for night shoots - compact and powerful. Useful for lighting your way when walking as well as for providing illumination for framing and focusing.
If you have a headlamp (such as those used in caving), this would be an excellent item to bring along for hands-free lighting.
External Flash Great for fill flash on close-up subjects, and an external flash allows for bouncing from the side or above. The Korean War Memorial is a good example of a place to do some creative lighting.
Hefty bag, ziploc bags Hefty bag for quickly protecting your whole camera bag in case of a downpour. Some people like to individually wrap other components with ziploc bags to protect them from dust, humidity, whatever. Your call there.
Clothing
Dress in layers Easy to add and remove - it will start out pretty warm but can get a lot cooler overnight.
Shoes Comfortable, and well broken in. I plan on wearing hiking boots; they are excellent for long walking stretches on potentially uneven terrain, and are made for carrying extra weight on your back. Terry recommended tennis shoes, which are an equally fine choice. Just no new shoes :-)
Supplies
Water Food is a luxury, but I was dying for water toward the end of last year's shoot. And I left early. Nothing is open around the mall area at 3AM so it is worth it to bring a bottle or two, even if it is extra weight to lug around.
Energy Bars If you do want to bring food, energy bars are a great option. Compact and providing good fuel for energy.
Identification Just because proving who you are is a good idea in the middle of the night :-)
Map It's nice to know where you are going. One that shows public restrooms is especially nice. And the Metro routes.
Cell Phone Reach out, reach out and touch someone...
Flask Entirely optional - I just did not want Muckpond to feel left out. :-)
Restrooms are open all night at the FDR and WW II mems, and water fountains. Pretty sure the security guards are there all night too as they are at the Lincoln. The Washington Monument is still surrounded by digging & construction although it has reopened for tourists to up during day hours. May be finished by July but it's an eyesore now.
Eyepiece cover (built into the 10D strap, I don't know about other cameras) -- keeps stray light from getting in through the eyepiece on long exposures.
Water - I'll second the water statement -- but DO NOT carry your water supply in your camera bag! A lot of stuff is not particularly close to FDR and WW2, so don't plan on being able to make frequent water runs.
A cell phone if you have one
Identification - In case requested by police. We will be a large group congregating and setting up tripods at odd hours of the night. This could draw suspicion. If it does, making the Park Police's jobs easy makes our job easy.
Energy Foods like granola bars are not a bad idea, especially for those of us with blood sugar issues.
Comfy shoes, some of those nice padded socks, maybe even a bandaid or two...oh, did I mention comfy shoes? ;O)
Also, this is NOT the night to try a new pear of shoes! Wear comfortable but broken in sneakers. New choes + excessive walking = blisters and more blisters!
Flashlight A mini maglite is a great item to have for night shoots - compact and powerful. Useful for lighting your way when walking as well as for providing illumination for framing and focusing.
Better yet, a full size maglite to beat the mugger with. :)
Flashlight A mini maglite is a great item to have for night shoots - compact and powerful. Useful for lighting your way when walking as well as for providing illumination for framing and focusing.
Better yet, a full size maglite to beat the mugger with. :)
Yeah, that really is a huge benefit to this type of night shoot - I would never feel comfortable by myself around these areas in the middle of the night - but there is safety in numbers.
Better yet, a full size maglite to beat the mugger with. :)
Originally posted by rich:
Yeah, that really is a huge benefit to this type of night shoot - I would never feel comfortable by myself around these areas in the middle of the night - but there is safety in numbers.
I wouldn't worry about that kind of stuff.
The National Mall -- the area that encompasses the Capitol at one end to the Lincoln Memorial at the other, with The White House, the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, the FDR Memorial, the World War II Memorial, the Smithsonian Institution, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and a few other noteable attractions in between -- is one of the most mugger-free places you could find in the USA. The area is about as secure as anyplace can be. After all it is practically the President's backyard.
The numerous low-flying helicopters are a bit of an annoyance in the daytime, especially near the river. Less so at night.
Better yet, a full size maglite to beat the mugger with. :)
Originally posted by rich:
Yeah, that really is a huge benefit to this type of night shoot - I would never feel comfortable by myself around these areas in the middle of the night - but there is safety in numbers.
I wouldn't worry about that kind of stuff.
The National Mall -- the area that encompasses the Capitol at one end to the Lincoln Memorial at the other, with The White House, the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, the FDR Memorial, the World War II Memorial, the Smithsonian Institution, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and a few other noteable attractions in between -- is one of the most mugger-free places you could find in the USA. The area is about as secure as anyplace can be. After all it is practically the President's backyard.
The numerous low-flying helicopters are a bit of an annoyance in the daytime, especially near the river. Less so at night.
I've been to that area several times. I'm not testing the theory. When we did the last night shoot I don't recall seeing a single cop during the wee hours of the morning, at least not around the war memorials.
I'm not saying it is super crazy dangerous, I'm saying it is not a bad idea to have company in the inner city at 3AM, especially when you have several thousand dollars in gear on your back.
Better yet, a full size maglite to beat the mugger with. :)
Originally posted by rich:
Yeah, that really is a huge benefit to this type of night shoot - I would never feel comfortable by myself around these areas in the middle of the night - but there is safety in numbers.
I wouldn't worry about that kind of stuff.
Actually, it's always good to have a healthy respect for Downtown DC. At 2am in any large city, you don't want to be walking around with a couple of grand in your pocket. Safety will be paramount on this event. :)
coolhar, I still don't see you on the list. You are offering a good bit of advice- are you planning on joining us? :)
coolhar, I still don't see you on the list. You are offering a good bit of advice- are you planning on joining us? :)
Clara
Nope. The last two DC GTGs I said I was going to come, and didn't show up. So I'm taking a different tack this time. If I make it, it will be a last minute thing. Don't care for the hot weather too much either.
But I still admire you for all the planning, etc. you are doing, and am trying to offer a bit of advice for the out-of-towners where I can.
I would suggest a waterproof case if you have one... most of the memorials have some water feature, and there are some really cool shots available if you can have camera actually in the water. This one is most obviously a very optional piece of equipment... I just know that I'll have one for my camera.
Also, as the flashlight goes - I would recommend either a headlamp (think caving) since it's handsfree, and/or an LED flashlight so the batteries won't be a concern.
One other thing... if you have Nalgene-type water bottles, these are probably the best way to carry water in the city. Also really easy to refill with that tasty DC tap water.
One other post... this is more preparation than specific equipment.
I would recommend those people coming in from out of town take a look at the Washington Metro Guide before coming to town. Yes, it's a PDF file, but having a basic idea of the system will help you know where we are, and where we're going.
Also, as the flashlight goes - I would recommend either a headlamp (think caving) since it's handsfree, and/or an LED flashlight so the batteries won't be a concern.
-Steve
Very good idea Steve - I have one that I picked up from CostCo for only $15 or so and planned to bring it.
Waterproof camera case sounds cool if you've got one :-)
On the subject of water though - if the weather forecast is sketchy, and your camera bag is not waterproof (mine isn't), a very lightweight bit of insurance is a large green trash bag - takes up practically no space or weight but in a pinch you can cover the entire bag.
