Camera bags might seem like a trivial thing when you're a beginner photographer.
But take a few photography outings and you'll soon find that the quality of the bag really does matter, and it matters in a lot of ways.
There's the comfort factor, the safety factor of keeping your gear secure, the ease-of-use factor, and that's just the start.
In this quick beginner photography tutorial, I offer up a few tips for getting the most out of your camera bag.
Pack Like a Boss
I have a friend that's a master at squeezing every last ounce of space out of any bag she encounters.
It's amazing, really.
In the same-sized carry on as me, she seems to be able to fit twice as much stuff. That's because she packs like a boss.
When we're talking about expensive camera gear, you certainly don't want to be jamming and cramming things into every nook and cranny.
But the smarter you pack, the more organized your gear will be and the easier it will be to find it.
A big part of smart packing is to practice. Yes - practice!
Don't wait until the night before your big photography outing to shove things into your bag.
Instead, experiment with different arrangements of gear. Change the way the compartments are structured - it's a simple matter of moving velcro bag dividers around to meet your specific needs.
Above all, make sure that your camera, lens, and other expensive components are packed snugly. Not only does that ensure that they're protected and won't roll around, but it also helps you maximize space in the bag.
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Only Take the Gear You Need
Believe me when I say that you don't need to take every single piece of camera gear that you own on every single photo shoot.
I'm speaking from experience here...
If you pack five lenses, you'll probably use just one or two.
You most likely won't encounter a situation in which you need an entire box of lens wipes, and if you do, you have bigger problems.
The point is that though you need to prepare for different eventualities (i.e., having a spare battery or two), you don't need to cram everything you own into your camera bag.
The only thing that will do is increase the likelihood that something gets lost or broken. On top of that, you have to carry all that gear!
So, as noted earlier, plan ahead, figure out what you actually need to take with you, and pack accordingly.
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Get a Camera Bag That Helps You Stay Organized
Of course, packing like a boss is a whole lot easier if you invest in a camera bag that actually helps you stay organized.
And I know what you're thinking - don't all camera bags do that?
Well, to some degree, yes. But some bags are simply better than others.
Take the Holdfast Roamographer as a perfect example.
I have a Roamographer, and it is hands-down one of the best camera bags I've ever owned.
For starters, this thing looks absolutely incredible. You can tell when you pick it up and inspect its construction that it was handmade with care and attention to detail. This isn't some sort of mass-produced conveyer belt kind of bag!
Secondly, when it comes to how to pack a camera bag, I appreciate the fact that it has a wide-mouth opening that makes putting my gear in and taking it out a breeze. That's not to mention that with such a large opening, I can see everything inside the bag for quick retrieval.
A critical question is how to organize a camera bag? The answer is with a bag like the Holdfast Roamographer.
In looking at the image above, you can see that the bag comes with a removable camera insert that keeps all your gear safe from bumps and bruises and neatly organized in a gridlike fashion.
In other words, the camera insert cradles your gear, keeps it perfectly stationary in its compartment, and keeps all your stuff neat, tidy, and organized as it should be.
You can even opt for a large or small Roamographer, the former being ideally suited for DSLR gear and the latter being ideally suited for rangefinders or mirrorless systems.
That just gives you all the more ability to pack like a boss, customize your bag to your needs, and keep all your gear safe and sound.
Again, as noted in the introduction, camera bags seem like a pretty trivial thing to some beginner photographers, but that couldn't be further from the truth.
If you want to maximize your workflow, carry your gear in comfort, and keep your gear safe and organized, invest in a top-notch bag.
Learn More:
- Get the Specs and Pricing on the Holdfast Roamographer Camera Bag
- Camera Bag Features That Will Totally Change the Way You Work