Ready, Willing & Able
© Jerry Whaley

The excitement of going on a trip is enough to make me willing to go forth and try to capture images of unique people, places and things. A change in scenery tends to get the creative juices flowing. But, even with the excitement, I often question my ability to be ready and able as well. Willing is actually the easy part. Ready and able take some doing.

Ready refers to the ability to be there, prepared to photograph. Sounds simple, but getting there is not as simple as it once was. Lately, when I travel by air, I see more and more people being bumped off flights because they come to the gate to check  in 10  minutes before the flight. Sorry, having a ticket is just not enough. With over-booked flights, you also have to be at the airport and checked-in 30 minutes to an hour before the flight to be certain that you will be on your chosen flight. The way I see it, if you are not at your destination, you cannot be ready to take photographs.

You get to your destination safe and sound, and on-time; now are you ready? How well have you prepared yourself and your gear? Do you have the proper clothing? Do you have the appropriate camera equipment? These considerations can make or break a trip in terms of how successful it is photographically. On a recent Boy Scout outing, I realized I was not ready the minute I stepped out of the car. We were camping in a field near a river. I had the right clothing and cameras. I had materials to protect me and the cameras from the rain and damp conditions. As the gnats began a feeding frenzy on my unprotected skin, I knew at once what I had forgotten. I was not ready for this!

Another very important consideration is the condition of your equipment Is it all in working order? Is it safely packed for the trip? Is it clean? Equipment that is not up to par will render you un- able to bring back good images. I came back from a trip to Hawaii only to find a very distinct tree limb in the corner of almost every frame of film I had exposed. It seems, this tree was with me everywhere I went Unfortunately, it wasn't a tree limb at all, it was a piece of fiber stuck in my camera back near the shutter. I was sick. I didn't even know I had a problem until I had the slides processed. By then I was back home and there was no chance to go beck and re-shoot the photos.

You also need to be physically able to work when you get there. Travel fatigue and jet-lag can sap your energy. Try to drink only juice or water while in the air. Coffee, tea and colas dehydrate you, adding to fatigue. Also, set your watch on the time zone you are traveling to as soon as you are in the air or on the road. If your brain starts thinking in terms of the new time, your body will follow much quicker. On a long trip, try to sleep and eat on the new time as well. These two simple tips help a great deal.

Use common sense to take good care of yourself. Relax whenever you can, because you know making photographs requires more effort and energy than just strolling through the scenery and taking it all in. Plenty of great food and restful sleep help keep. you in the field, in top condition. But don't try to do too much in one day. Pace yourself, enjoy the whole trip, and try to be ready, willing and able .

 

back