SAFETY:

When taking a photo trip, be it a few hours, all day, over a weekend or for a week or longer, there are a few things you should consider.

Whether it's a photo trip to the city, into the mountains, beside the sea, in the desert or wherever, the first thing one should always do is let someone know where you are going, what route you are taking and when you plan to return. A full itinerary is best. This is especially important if you are traveling alone. But even if you are traveling with a partner or your family, you should inform someone of your plans. It's best to write them down rather than leaving it just up to the memory of whomever you inform. I know from experience, as an example, that one can be at a desert location and not see anyone for days. If your car breaks down, if you break a leg, or any other unfortunate event, if you leave a travel plan you are more likely to be found and helped. It's also a good idea to include your vehicle license in your notes.

Having a cellular phone greatly helps, but there are locations where these don't work and there is always the possibility that they can be broken or the battery in them fail. Therefore, you should always prepare as if you could be stranded somewhere for a day or longer.

The very minimum you should take with you is an emergency blanket, first-aid kit, two or three gallons of water, high protein snacks, waterproof matches, and a cellular phone. Other items that should be considered are warm clothing, jackets, extra food, compass, medicine, whistle and/or mirror for signaling, and a small tent.

Again, with the desert as an example, it can be 70 degrees or more during the day and then drop to freezing during the night. I've often pulled out a sweat shirt and jacket and was mighty glad I had them. There's also been times I've fallen into a creek and was happy that I had warm clothing to change into.

When I travel, I carry a five gallon water tank (sometimes two) plus a canteen and bottled water in my ice-chest. I also carry a first-aid kit in my truck and a small first-aid kit in my photo backpack. Other emergency items I carry are a small compass, waterproof matches, magnesium fire starter, flashlight, aspirin (good against heart attack), snack bars, peanut butter, candy, cheese, emergency blanket, a jacket and hat, whistle, sun screen, wood to start a fire, and a tent. I also usually carry a book in case I need to pass the time.

Another good safety rule is to not leave camera equipment in your vehicle while you're away and to have it insured.

PLANNING:

One need not plan to extensively for a short trip, but, for a photo trip lasting several days or weeks, a well planned trip can be of great advantage. I've gone on photo trips where I've said something like, "Hey, honey, I'm heading out to the Black Hills." Then I return home and read about the area or learn from others all the spots I missed. Or I find that I had too much or too little time for the area I visited.

Now, I carefully plan out my trips. Moon Handbooks are extremely helpful in showing what is available in an area, although they don't cover everywhere in the USA or the world. But they do cover most areas where people like to vacation. Other sources you should check out when planning your trip are Internet sites on the area, talking with people who have been there, and photographic magazines and newsletters like Outdoor Photographer and Photograph America Newsletter.

I've started planning as early as four months in advance of a trip. I read books on the area, search the Internet for pictures and information, and if possible talk to people that have been wherever I'm planning on going. I'll also check out the normal weather conditions for the time of year and area I'll be going. I then plan out a route, listing every highway or road that I'll take, it's mileage between between points, and how long it'll take. Then I'll set up an itinerary, listing all the stops I want to make or visit, and how long I plan to be there. I'll list what the entrance fees are for parks or attractions campground and motel fees, and also allow for more time then I think I'll need. I'll add up my total mileage, including driving around in parks or an area and add ten percent to the total, as a good estimate of the mileage the trip will take and how much gas will be used.

Then I'll go back to my travel books and the Internet to see if there is anything along my planned route that I might be missing and want to visit. If needed I'll amend by route and/or itinerary. Once those are set, I'll then plan what photo equipment I'll need or want for the trip and how much film will be needed. I usually shoot less, but I plan on an average of five rolls of 36 exposure film per day. It's better to have too much than too little.

Once those are all set, I'll then plan what camping and clothing items I'll need to take. I'll take both warm and light clothing, but some trips will require more warm clothing and some more lighter wear. A jacket and hat are always included, and sometimes gloves and an extra pair of shoes. I almost always camp, so will take a tent, ice chest, food, water, lawn chair, flashlight, and may or may not take a camp stove and lantern.

Once my plans are completed, I'll make two copies, one for myself and one for someone not going with me. That way they'll know from day to day where I plan on being. By the time I've completed everything I'll know pretty close to what it will cost, how long it'll take me, and that I'm not going to miss anything important. It's time consuming but works out very well, and is very rewarding by the time you come home from a successful trip.

A TRIP TO SOUTHEASTERN UTAH: Click Here for an example of a trip I planned and how it went.

PHOTO LOCATIONS:

I'm sure most of you can think of a lot of great photo spots, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Smoky Mountains, New York City, Paris, London, Disney World, etc. I haven't done a lot of traveling but have been to a few places. All I can do is comment on some of the special places and photo trips I've taken, some of which are well known, but some which are not. Click on those areas listed below to learn more.

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