The weeks before and after New Year’s Day are great times for taking stock of the state of your photo gear, and making resolutions about improvements you’d like to make in the coming year. Thinking back on the shoots from the previous year, and focusing on gear that needs repair, replacement, or restocking is a good place to start. Are your photo umbrellas in good shape? Is your camera bag looking worn and tired? And how about the various connecting cables and accessories—are they as reliable as when they were new? These are just a few important things that require your attention. Here’s a list that can serve as a good starting point for getting your gear in tip-top shape, so it’s ready to help you tackle the challenges of the coming year.
Back Up and Expand
Back up your 2015 photos on a new hard drive. Consider using more than one hard drive, and storing the drives in multiple locations for added safety. Was the hard drive you used with Time Machine large enough? With another year of photos, documents, and new software, it may be time for a larger-capacity replacement. Perhaps now’s the time to get that Drobo 5D Professional Storage Array you’ve been eyeing. And for photographers who shoot tethered or who need to download their photos at the end of the day while on location, one of the new LaCie 500GB Solid-State Drives is an excellent choice.
Drobo 5D Professional Storage Array
Update your storage. How about the memory cards, readers, and card cases you’ve been using? Fresher, faster cards can improve camera write speeds and result in faster image downloads, as well. 2015 brought larger-capacity storage and reductions in price. So what you paid for that 32GB card in 2014 may be less than the cost of a 64GB card today. It’s worth considering.
Lexar Professional USB 3.0 Dual-Slot Reader (UDMA 7)
Clean up Your Act
Don’t neglect mundane tasks, such as making sure your lenses and case interiors are clean. Did you remember to wipe down your camera after that trip to the beach? If not, and even if your gear is in pristine condition, stocking up on Zeiss Lens Wipes is always a wise decision. Even if you didn’t take your cameras to the beach, it’s a good idea to remove equipment and inserts so you can vacuum and wipe down case interiors.
Zeiss Lens Wipes (60-Pack)
I've Got the Power
Today’s flash units and cameras require batteries, and lots of them. Over the course of 2015, your batteries have been recharged countless times. While they may function well, they are, nonetheless, older. This might be the time to get a 16-pack of Panasonic Eneloop AA Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries. These batteries do not suffer from memory effect and will hold a charge for a long time. New batteries recycle faster, last longer, and inspire confidence. What about your battery charger? Does it charge batteries quickly? Can it charge 8 batteries at a time? If not, then consider investing in a Powerex MH-C800S 8-Cell Smart Charger. Many photographers own two of these chargers so they can charge up to 16 batteries at one time. It’s also important to have spare camera batteries, and to make sure the ones you have are not on their last legs. Some cameras indicate the life expectancy of their batteries. To ascertain the condition of your camera battery, simply navigate to the battery info menu item.
Panasonic Eneloop AA Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries (2000mAh, Pack of 16)
The Expendables
The New Year is a great time to stock up and replace expendable items, such as white, black, and gray seamless paper, gaffer tape, foam core, reflector boards, and more. Seamless paper gets dirty and wavy from moisture, foam core gets marred and bent, and reflector boards get ripped and stepped on. So before they become unusable or, worse yet, become too worn for client viewing—order a fresh supply.
Savage Bright Silver Reflect-o-Board (32 x 40")
Shape Your Light
Roll into the New Year with a few new light modifiers to recharge and invigorate your creative juices. Perhaps a Vello Ringbox Ringflash Adapter for your shoe-mounted flash or an Impact Luxbanx Duo Small/Slim Strip Softbox will provide that shaping edge light you’ve envisioned. Or maybe a Mola Demi 22" Beauty Dish Soft Lite Reflector will trip your shutter finger. One way to discover what might appeal to you would be to relive some of your favorite and least favorite photo shoots from the past year, and analyze what type of light modifier might have made the shoot more successful. Sometimes looking backward is the best way to move forward.
Vello Ringbox Ringflash Adapter
The Software Shuffle
Have you had any difficulties uploading raw files into your image editing program? If so, now might be the perfect time to upgrade your software to the latest versions. Check out Photoshop Lightroom 6 or consider an Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan. And while you’re at it, sharpen your skills with tutorial software and books, such as Adobe Photoshop CC Classroom in a Book, and Adobe Photoshop CS6: Core Training in Visual Communication: Learn by Video.
Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Kit
Keep on Truckin’
Although it’s said that time heals, I’m sure you remember the times you or your assistants struggled with moving heavy gear on location. To keep on trucking in the New Year, consider a new foldable hand truck, such as a Wesco Superlite Folding Handtruck , Norris or a Remin Super 600 Cart.
Remin Super 600 Cart
Put it on Display
During the past year you worked passionately on your photography. Show the world how much your work has improved by displaying it in a new portfolio, such as a Pina Zangaro Vista Screwpost Portfolio or a Pina Zangaro Flexx Express Portfolio.
Pina Zangaro Flexx Express Portfolio Book
The Sartorial Angle
Clothes not only make the man or woman—they make the photographer, too. Now’s the time to update your wardrobe with a new photo vest and pair of cold-weather gloves for outdoor photography.
Humvee by CampCo Safari Photo Vest
Nothing inspires confidence more than knowing that your gear is well organized, in good condition, and varied enough to help you produce your best photographs. Here’s wishing you all the satisfaction and success you’ve worked so diligently for in the New Year.
Please feel free to share your own ideas for gearing up for next year, in the Comments section, below. We’d love to read your suggestions.
