Most of you reading this have busy daily lives, as do I. Most of you reading this opt to go on big photographic expeditions from time to time, as do I. Which means all of us find ourselves faced by the Big Trip Gotcha.
What the heck is that, you ask?
Simple: you assumed something and didn’t verify it.
I’ll give you one that happened to me last month: a missing tripod socket.
I switched from GoPros to the DJI Osmo recently. Less expensive than upgrading my old GoPros, the Osmo seems to be a slightly better option in a lot of small ways. So I packed my usual accessories, including my tripod and rail mounts. One small problem I found out in Maun, Botswana: the Osmo doesn’t have a tripod socket on it. Nor does the simple cage they supply have one. The problem of “proprietary interface” strikes again. DJI has their own method of mounting the camera, which requires new gizmos. The gizmos I packed? Well, useless. All because I assumed that I was just subbing in Camera Y for Camera X. Doh!
Yes, the Big Trip Gotcha is “assumptions.”
The funny thing is that I did 99% of what I should do. I pulled out every piece of gear I was taking and checked it for issues. I charged up batteries. I mounted lenses and tested focusing. All my usual prep. Right up to the point where I made a single assumption that tripped up one use case.
Sometimes you forget to bring cards or extra batteries.
Sometimes you forget to bring the camera strap.
Sometimes you forget you need a hex wrench (or multiple sizes).
Sometimes you forget that you didn’t clean your image sensor after your last trip.
Sometimes you forget to bring a lens hood.
Unfortunately, I can keep going for the next couple of hours pointing out one tiny thing that might spoil the show. I remember one sports pro who showed up to an event only to discover he’d left his batteries at home on the charger (fortunately, I had an extra and was able to lend him one).
I’ve referred to packing lists before, and I’ve suggested that you must have one. But I’m going to add to that thought today: you also need a Load Procedure for everything.
Let me give you an example of the difference.
On your packing list might be “extra EN-EL18D battery.”
On your Load Procedure for that item would be: (1) check EN-EL18D battery status; (2) charge or calibrate as necessary; (3) check to make sure battery is labeled; (4) check battery in camera; (5) put battery in proper place in bag; (6) put a check on the packing list.
I pretty much have Load Procedures for everything. Tripods need to be checked for clean joint and leg operation, the proper head, all tools necessary. Lenses need to be cleaned, verified that they’re still operational, checked for software updates, and then the right caps, hoods, and bags need to be added before I put them in the case.
A Packing List tells you what you need to bring.
A Load Procedure tells you what you need to verify (including that you actually packed it).
The temptation is to think you can remember everything and do it off the top of your head. Indeed, the less or more often you pack, the more you think you can just wing it. So time for a reality check: have you ever forgotten something? Was it important, or worse, key (like forgetting those batteries)?
Every one of you just answered yes. Those of you who thought they answered no just aren’t remembering your mistakes.
So, before that next big trip, do more than just create a packing list. Write down the procedural items you need to do for items on the list to make sure everything works, is ready, is complete, and is in the right spot in the pack.
