28-November-2007 : "Is There An Abbreviated Around The World No Jet Lag Workshop?" OK, Because You Asked For It!

Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com

28-November-2007 : "Is There An Abbreviated Around The World No Jet Lag Workshop?" OK, Because You Asked For It!


"Is There An Abbreviated Come Fly With Fish Workshop?" I think I have received this question more than a dozen times in the last week. I know many people are interested in my around the world No Jet Lag Workshop, but they cannot spend two weeks flying around the world. I also know many people cannot afford the costs of the around the world journey.

To accommodate this constant question I have devised a quick 3.5 day "No Jet Lag Primer Course." At the moment I am looking at February 5th to February 8th departing from Vancouver, BC (YVR). Why Feb 5 to Feb 8? Why Vancouver? Because this quick course is going to be non-stop coverage of the Chinese New Year in the streets of Hong Kong!

There are few events that are as bright, bustling, loud vibrant and exciting as the Chinese New Year! The thousands of years of culture, the colours and the pageantry are unrivaled. The best part? You'll be in the middle of this visual cornucopia!

For this workshop participants will be under strict packing guidelines. You will be forced to chose your gear and accessories wisely. You will be limited to one smaller sized legal carry on bag, one you may potentially need to haul for long periods of time while shooting. I will provide detailed instruction and guidance before the departure to make sure you have it all down perfectly.

For this journey we will land a few short hours before the official start of the New Year, which will force you to deal with a tremendous challenge. Your body clock will be almost exactly backward from your home time zone (depending on where you live) and you will need to arrive , drop your bag and go straight to work. This is a huge challenge, it may sound easy, but you'll be on your feet and taking in all the sights and sounds and fast paced action as your body wants to rest. This is natural, but you'll need to overcome it. You will learn to force yourself to rest when possible and how to stay up, awake and keep working through this period.

Throughout our time in Hong Kong you will learn how to handle quick ground logistics and how to quickly asses situations in foreign languages (although many folks in Hong Kong speak English). You will be handed a mix of "general assignments" and "business assignments" with real time deadlines. Coupled with these deadlines is the "drop deadline," this is the time you must absolutely stop working to make your flight. We can all be 15 minute late delivering a photo, even on a tight deadline, but if you miss your "drop deadline" you miss your flight, and that's just not allowed to happen (I won't let it happen).

There will be plenty of one-on-one instruction prior to our departure from YVR. There will be some instruction during the flight over, plenty of guidance and instruction once in Hong Kong and critique, Q&A and plenty of sleeping on the way home.

At this time a minimum of four participants is required to get this No Jet Lag Primer Course off the ground. There is a maximum of eight spots for this workshop.

Costs, if booked before Dec 15th, will be
- US$3,200* in BusinessClass (suggested for access to lounge, showers, in-seat power, priority check in & more comfort on the 13 hour flight)

- US$2,200* in EconomyClass

Costs include airfare from Vancouver to Hong Kong, private transportation while in Hong Kong (to and from hotel) , instruction & logistics.

*Costs based on special seat fare costs and may be subject to change depending on seat availability

If you are interested let me know by dropping me an e-mail to fish@flyingwithfish.com

Happy Flying!

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27-November-2007: "I Need To Travel In One Light Weight Legal Carry On Bag, Pack Two Lights And I Hate Backpacks"

Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com

27-November-2007: "I Need To Travel In One Light Weight Legal Carry On Bag, Pack Two Lights And I Hate Backpacks"

Following my Blog entry about packing a full kit of gear and lights in one single carry on bag (The All In One Camera, Lights, Computer Carry On Bag) I received an e-mail that started with this : "I Need To Travel In One Light Weight Legal Carry On Bag, Pack Two Lights And I Hate Backpacks."

The reader of my blog went on to tell me there is no way to create a kit that will allow them to carry two lights, two stands, other lighting gear, a minimum of two bodies, five lenses, laptop and other related accessories and still meet the British Airport Authority (BAA) size and weight restrictions. In one way the person is right, you cannot pack this in one legal carry on when departing from most of the BAA airports (some airports are more relaxed than others), however you can create a complete kit that will travel in two bags, legal carry on from the vast majority or departure points, and that will protect your lights completely while departing from BAA airports.

Aside from flying from BAA airports, some airlines have a single carry-on restriction. This allows for one carry on NOT one carry on and one personal item. Singapore Airlines often enforces this, as does Emirates, obviously any flight departing the UK, and some other Euro and Asian based carriers.

My answer to this packing problem is obviously a two bag system. The bodies, batteries and lenses go in the old reliable Domke F-805 while the lights go in my often mentioned, and highly versatile, Pelican 1514 (http://Pelican1514Case.notlong.com).

The Domke F-805 looks like a basic laptop bag, it is small, designed long before photogs used laptops daily and will never get a second glance from anyone at the gate causing then to weight it. Should someone ask to weight it, you simply remove your laptop, take out the two bodies, stick a lens on each body, sling them on your shoulders, then weigh it. Why do you do this? No airline counts cameras on your shoulders as carry on or personal items, and the laptop being removed is for the safety and security of your laptop. Personally I have never had anyone give my heavily loaded F-805 second look or challenge me on it being a "personal item," in any airport or in any country. The unassuming profile of the bag is great because when I pull out the Domke F-805 it is often loaded heavily with two or three bodies, 5 to 8 lenses, a flash or two, a laptop (at times two), batteries, chargers, emPower inverters, etc. I have traveled through one of the most difficult airports, London Heathrow (LHR), with this bag loaded to the brim and it has never been pulled aside to be weighed by any airline staff or airport official.

One of the beauties of the F-805 is that is looks deceptively small while actually being quite deep and able to haul a lot of gear, including longer lenses like the 400f5.6.

For the most part I have moved away from shoulder bags after having had major surgery on my right shoulder in 2002. I now primarily use backpacks, but I still do love the Domke F-805, I miss using my Domke F-2 and my Domke F-802 is my favourite briefcase............................but the person who sent me the e-mail that got this entry rolling stated that they hated to use backpacks.

For packing lights, I reconfigure my Pelican 1514 to haul my portable lighting kit. I use the Pelican at times when traveling out on Turbo Prop Flights (my home airport, HVN, is only served by 5 flights per day, all 5 are on Dash 8 Turbo Props, http://USDash8.notlong.com) I also pack this way when traveling through the UK.

When traveling to or through the UK, I will depart for the UK with both bags, and on my return out of the UK I can safely check my lighting kit with no fear of it being damaged. If you choose your lighting kit wisely, sticking with shoe-mount flash units you can pack an astounding amount of gear in this small little, light weight, legal carry on!

Below is a list of what gets packed in the Domke F-805 when I use this bag
2 - Canon 1D series bodies
1 - Canon 14f2.8L
1 - Canon 24f3.5L TS-E (tilt-shift)
1 - Canon 24f1.4L
1 - Canon 50f1.4 USM
1 - Canon 85f1.2L
1 - Canon 16-35f2.8L
1 - Canon 70-200f2.8
1 - Modified Holga Lens (to fit EOS mount)
1 - Canon 580ex Speedlight
3 - Lens Hoods off of lenses (16-35f2.8, 24f1.4, 24f3.5)
4 - Canon 1D batteries
1 - Canon 1D battery charger (not pictured)
1 - ThinkTank Pixel Pocket Rocket (CF Card wallet with 10CF cards)
1 - Canon Off-Camera ETTL Cord
1 - Lexar CF Card Reader
1 - USB Cord
1 - Compact International Power-Tip Adapter
1 - Apple Power Supply
1 - Apple MacBook

Not pictured in the photos below are an iPod, headsets, sleeve of DVDs , APC emPower in-seat power inverter, magazines. I know I should have pulled them out to shoot them, but I shot it late at night, after having put my kids to sleep and I was tired.

Below is a list of what gets packed in the Pelican 1514
2 - Nikon SB-28dx Speedlights
2 - Bogen 3373 Compact Lightstands
2 - Pocket Wizard Receivers
1 - Pocket Wizard Transmitter
2 - PC Cords (Pocket Wizard to Nikon SB-28dx)
2 - PhotoFlex Q39 soft boxes
8 - PhotoFlex mini-rods (for soft boxes)
2 - PhotoFlex Speedrights (with tic-tac-toe patterned rubber bands to hold Nikon SB-28dx lights in place)
2 - Calumet Swivel Adapters
2 - Spare Sets Of "AA" Batteries
1 - Sheet of Cinefoil (to make snoot)
1 - Small Roll of Black Gaffers Tape
1 - Black/White Gobo
1 - Stofen White OmniBounce
1 - Energizer 15 minute AA Battery Charger w/ power supply
1 - Gitzo 0012 Compact Tripod w/Gitzo G1277M compact ball head
1 - Maglight MiniMag Flashlight
X - A bunch of spare rubber bands for the speed rings

Not pictured in the photos below, hidden under the foam padding, is a zip-wire cable and three locks, two to lock the case and one to lock the zip-wire and Pelican case to a bench for some security.


So for those who don't want to carry the extremely heavy all-in-one Think Tank Airport Addicted backpack, try out this set up , or your own variation of this set up. I suggest possibly swapping out of the Domke F-802 for a low profile backpack, such as the the Mountainsmith Parallax (http://ParallaxOverview.notlong.com ) that can hold a lot, but is small and is easily worn by women and people who are not very tall.

Below are a few photos of both the Domke F-805 and the Pelican 1514 in the setups I have discussed here.

Have any questions, comments or need help with your specific packing situation? Drop me an e-mail at fish@flyingwithfish.com

Interested in a hands on learning experience that will teach you how to travel quickly, efficiently , effectively and work through your jet lag? Please visit www.comeflywithfish.com

Happy Flying!

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26-November-2007: Your Own Private Place In The Airport, It's Not As Hard As You Think!

Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com

26-November-2007: Your Own Private Place In The Airport, It's Not As Hard As You Think!

Let's face it a long layover or a missed flight can lead to some unwanted time in the airport. If you are like most people you detest your time in the airport, you find it loud, busy and an annoyance to your day.

I do agree, the airport can be an impersonal, uncomfortable and irritating place. When you are looking for an oasis to relax in after a busy day or a long flight Gate D48 is not the place you want to kick back and relax.

When confronted with an extended stay in the airport there are ways to relax, unwind and find your own place to be productive, take a nap or steal away from personal time.

Some airports are better than others for finding your personal space and some airports are like hell, but worse. I wish all airports were created equal, but they are not.

One of the easiest ways to create your "own space" in an airport is to find a corner that allows you to lean against two walls use some noise canceling headsets and just watch a movie, or edit or listen to music. If you corner has a power outlet it's even better!

When traveling I make myself notes on airports I have been through on where to find some peace, as well as what concourses or gates are the quietest at certain times of the day. I plan much of my travel with heavy layovers, often leaving a job late at night and camping out in the airport until an early morning flight, or a very late red-eye home. I do this because I am cheap (see my earlier posting about taking bumps from flights for free flight vouchers). I'd prefer a hotel bed, TV and shower, but many airports have showers somewhere (and many don't) and many have benches or WiFi or some quiet place. Are there some airports I will never overnight in and try and avoid any layover in? Yes, but we'll get to that later.

With frequent trips through San Francisco International Airport (SFO) I try and find my peace in Terminal 3, on Concourse F, the United Airlines (UA) departure gates. There is a shuttle from the US Airways (US) gates to the UA gates , I hop on and can spend a few hours of relative peace and quiet to watch a movie, surf the web. I have edited more projects in the past two years on Concourse F than probably anywhere else.

For a year I saw the bright lights of Las Vegas' McCarran Int'l Airport (LAS) 2 or 3 nights a week on my way home from the west coast back to the east coast (great commute, eh?). For these flights I'd always leave from Gate 40D, always on the same Delta (DL) flight to Cincinnati (CVG) on 738, almost always in seat 3A. I had my routine down depending on layover time. Very often I'd seek out the kids play area between concourses. I am sure this sounds loud and like a chaotic area, but in fact there are almost never any kids in there, the floor has nice carpet, the sun would not be blinding me due to the location of the windows, there are plenty of power outlets and LAS has free WiFi. Sounds like paradise right? Well when you consider my turn around time from New England to California was around 28hrs round trip, this areas was paradise to me. I could stretch out, nap, get my work done and just unwind.

Some airports have better features than others. Some airports that quickly come to mind are SFO with their museum gallery displays and library; Pittsburgh (PIT) with a huge shopping mall to window shop in; Charlotte (CLT) with the comfy rocking chairs; Incheon (ICN) with it's indoor golf course; Nagoya (NGO) and it's Japanese bath house; Honolulu (HNL) and it's outdoor Japanese Garden; Hong Kong (HKG) and it's 4D Movie theater; Frankfurt Main (FRA) and it's movie theater; Tokyo Narita (NRT) and it's roof top observation desk, etc etc. I can go on, but you get the point.

With long layovers I'd suggest looking up each airport's web page. This will let you find out what is and is not an available service in the airport. Some airports have showers and public lounges, when you arrive you find out that these facilities are only past security. This can leave you with many hours of standing around with nothing to do. When you have nothing to do, I find watching movies best.

The flip side to all of this is also knowing which airports you need to avoid. There are some airports that are not only lacking comfort but they are also lacking security. Two airports I will never overnight in, and avoid long layovers in, are Newark, NJ (EWR) and Paris' Charles de Gaulle (CDG). Why are these two airports I have travelled through often at the top of my list? Both airports have a significant homeless population at night and the terminals are not well patrolled. I have had a 6hr layover in EWR from 2:00am to 8:00am once and I thought I was going to be robbed three times. While taking a nap at CDG, during the day time , while the airport was bustling, I woke up to find someone urinating on the wall near my head (I actually found other people who have posted a similar occurrence at CDG!)

If you decide to overnight in Mumbai (BOM) you may end up needing to bribe security ; you plan on sleeping outside security at Moscow's Sheremetyevo (SVO) you have a high risk of being robbed, Don't Ever Think Of Having A Layover In Lagos, Nigeria (LOS), passengers have been mugged on the tarmac walking from the terminal to the plane! This should be a completely secure area, but it is not.

Yes, BOM, SVO and LOS are the worst case scenario, but I just wanted to point out that there are cases where airport's aren't just uncomfortable , such as Philadelphia (PHL), London Gatwick (LGW) or Los Angeles Int'l (LAX) , some are downright dangerous.

When planning for a long layover you should keep this in mind when packing. You should pack only what you can comfortably carry. You do not want to carry heavy things with you. If you plan on napping you should seriously consider having small TSA locks on each of your zippers and securing your bags with a zip-wire (http://cablelock.notlong.com ) or a PacSafe wire bag protector (http://www.pacsafe.com). These items will allow you to secure your bags and protect your gear while you sleep. I often lock the cable to a bench and also to my pant belt loop. If the bag is attached to my belt look I'll know if someone is trying to get into my gear.

For your comfort I suggest bringing a comfortable hooded sweatshirt. A hooded sweatshirt is ideal for a few reason. The first is that the extra layer of clothing is comfortable when dealing with the air conditioning in the airport for a long period of time; a heavier sweatshirt gives you a little more padding when laying down; the hood gives your head protection from the ground or wall when laying down; the hood allows your to create a barrier around your head (similar to horse blinders on a race horse) to block out the world around you; you can roll the hood up and give your head a small pillow.

Noise canceling headsets are a great way to block out the world, even if you just turn them on and do not play any music through them. There are any different kinds of noise canceling headsets depending on your personal preferences. I like the Sennheiser PXC250 headsets (http://pxc250.notlong.com), the are light, compact and fold up to save space. Place the headsets under your hood and you've created your own little private space in a public area.

If you have work to do, bring a very small multi-outlet adapter, I like the 3 outlet adapters that are US$2.50 at Home Depot (http://3outlet.notlong.com) to plug in your laptop, mobile phone, etc. If you are traveling internationally you'll also want a compact and light weight international plug adapter to plug your gear in (make sure your power supplies are Dual Voltage first!)

A nice compact and comfortable option, if you want to add one more item, is the Tempur-Pedic 3-in-1 Travel Pillow (http://TempurTravelPillow.notlong.com ) mine gets stuffed into a Pelican Case or ThinkTank Airport Addicted when space allows, and it has flown a few hundred thousand miles. It comes with a compact case, it can be crushed easily, and it is very comfortable. I use mine in airports, on airplane and even in hotels because it is often more comfy than hotel pillows.

Did I mention movies pass the time? I am sure I did, so pack them in a flat sleeve that takes up no space , swing by the magazine shop for a soda and some M&Ms and relax with them.


Below are my Top 5 Airports I Can Unwind In and my Top 5 Airports I'd Rather Kill Myself Than Have A Layover In

Top 5 Airports I Can Unwind In
#5) Tie - Nagoya (NGO)
#5) Tie - Tokyo Narita (NRT)
#4) London Heathrow (LHR)
#3) Incheon (ICN)
#2) Hong Kong (HKG)
#1) San Francisco International (SFO)

Top 5 Airports I'd Rather Kill Myself Than Have A Layover In
#5) Chicago O'Hare (ORD)
#4) London Gatwick (LGW)
#3) Los Angeles (LAX)
#2) Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
#1) Tie - Philadelphia (PHL)
#1) Tie - Newark, NJ (EWR)

If you'd like further info on why I enjoy or hate a specific airport please feel free to ask by dropping me an e-mail at fish@flyingwithfish.com

Interested in a hands on learning experience that will teach you how to travel quickly, efficiently , effectively and work through your jet lag? Please visit www.comeflywithfish.com

Below is a photo of me relaxing and editing my work during a really long stint between work and my flight home.

Happy Flying!

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17-November-2007: Care To Go Around The World With Me? Well Now You Can!

Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@fishfoto.com

17-November-2007: Care To Go Around The World With Me? Well Now You Can!

Have you ever dreamed about taking mad dash around the world? Have you watched "The Amazing Race" and wished you could take a more civilized photo version of that journey? If you have, I may have the most intense photo workshop you have ever envisioned in store for you.

I am in the process of setting up the logistics for a workshop aimed at giving photographers the opportunity to learn how to handle nearly every aspect of complex travel assignments. My travel assignments for clients are not to go to an area and spend a few days or weeks seeking out images, I am constantly in motion, often on the ground for less than half-a-day, then crossing a continent, spanning an ocean, or at times flying over two continents, only to cross another ocean on my way home.

The "Flying With Fish No Jetlag Photo Workshop" will teach you how to press yourself to your limits not only visually, but also physically and mentally. You will learn how to travel effectively, efficiently, pack lighter, maximize your time not only on the ground shooting, but also while in transit and in flight...........and of course, you will travel completely around the world, shooting pre-determined assignments on at least four continents, in at least six countries, be given real-time deadlines to adhere to and be home in less than two weeks.

I could run a workshop that involves completely flying around the world one-and-a-half times in five days, but really that wouldn't be any fun, now would it?

If you are interested in learning more about this workshop as the details and logistics are nailed down please drop me an e-mail at fish@flyingwithfish.com

The workshop will be limited to a maximum of 8 participants.

Happy Flying!

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16-November-2007 : "We Need A Volunteer To Give Up Their Seat In Exchange For A Free Flight" - The Ups & Downs Of Being Bumped

Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@fishfoto.com

16-November-2007 : "We Need A Volunteer To Give Up Their Seat In Exchange For A Free Flight" - The Ups & Downs Of Being Bumped

Anyone who has ever flown on a peak day or at a peak time has heard this familiar announcement over the PA system "We need two volunteers to give up their seats exchange for a flight later today and a free round trip anywhere in our domestic network."

I'll admit it, if I am in no great hurry and I see a packed flight I have been known to walk up to the Gate Agent and volunteer my name before the announcement is even made over the PA system. Much of my domestic travel this year was on "bump vouchers," which is going to be a problem for me next year......but we'll get to that later.

The official term for "bumped" is "VDB" or "Voluntary Denied Boarding" (rather than "IDB" or "Involuntary Denied Boarding"). I have at times booked certain flights knowing there would be a high likely hood of getting VDB'd or "bumped." In fact, a few years ago I did the rare, and elusive, triple bump, while already flying on a bump voucher with Southwest Airlines. What is the triple bump you ask? Let me tell you!

While flying home from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to Providence, RI (PVD) an announcement was made for volunteers. I quickly volunteered and offered to take a flight leaving 10 minutes later to Hartford's Bradley Int'l Airport (BDL). I was rebooked (I had no checked baggage so it was no problem) , handed my voucher and walked two gates over to the BDL flight. Once at this gate a request went out for volunteers to give up their seats, I volunteered, I was handed my voucher and immediately booked back on the flight I had just been bumped from! .............we all know where this is going don't we...............I walked back to my original gate, it was chaos at the gate for some reason, which is unusual for Southwest (WN) at BWI. Well we started to board and they announced they needed one volunteer to get off the plane, I was next to the counter, I leaned over, I volunteered and I picked up my third bump voucher in the span of 20 minutes! I ended up back in Providence about 90 minutes later than anticipated, but picked up three free flights along the way.

At first it seems like a great idea. Well in fact it is a great idea if you have the time to spare, but beware of the dreaded restrictions! That's right, the rules for using the free flight are not as straight forward as you think. These vouchers do provide a free round trip flight in the Continental U.S. Domestic (or Canadian on Air Canada and WestJet) Network, but getting seats is not always simple. The small print on most "Free Flight Vouchers" is so details that it needs to be printed on two boarding passes that are stapled together. Below are some of the usual restrictions
- You must fly on the carrier issuing the voucher only, code share flights are not accessible. What this means for you is this, if you get bumped from a US Airways (US) flight and you find a US flight, with a US Flight # , but the flight is operated by United Airlines (UA) you will not be allowed to take this flight. This is a "code share" flight. You must fly ONLY on the issuing carrier's aircraft only.

- You are restricted to a limited types of fare classes for seats available. Look on any boarding pass you have, somewhere you'll see "Class" and a letter under it, a Y/Q/S/T/W or some other letter. This is your fare class. Generally "Y" is full-fare economy, "N" is a discounted economy fare, "C" or "J" is full fare Business Class, "A" is a discounted First Class, etc etc etc. There are many fare classes, not just these I have mentioned. On the "Free Flight Voucher" you will often be limited to one single fare class, what does this mean for you? Well this means that you have a limited chance at seats.

- You must use the voucher within one year of issue. If you get multiple vouchers use them in the order they are issued. I have had vouchers expire for not using them in the order they were issued.

- You will NOT get any frequent flier miles and certainly won't get any "status miles" from using a bump voucher. This is why I will have no status on any airlines, except one airline, starting on March 1 2008. My flying this year was as much as many other years, but I used so many vouchers that gained me no miles and no status miles. How many bump vouchers did I pick up in 2006? How about a few dozen! I got so good at it , that it allowed me to try and save money this year, so I traded my "elite status" with four airlines in order to save thousands of dollars. Seemed like a fair trade, I'm sure I'll get my status back.........who did I keep my status with, and also reach the highest tier of status with? British Midland International, also known as BMI (BD).

- You must use book your seats a minimum of 14 days prior to travel. This makes the vouchers less ideal for last minute flexible business travel. Some airlines require you turn the voucher in at the counter or office within 48hrs of making the reservation. This is a rule that is going away with most airlines as it makes it impossible to use the vouchers at times (don't think the airlines don't know this). I have had to drive 120 miles round trip to either of my two local airports (not counting HVN which is close by, but is only serviced by US) to make sure my free seat was secured.

So if you are planning on taking five bumps, then taking your family to Vegas for Christmas on bump vouchers think again. It probably won't happen. If you split your family and travel at two different points in the day during a non-heavy traffic travel period it might work out for you.

Some airlines are harder than others (US), some are easier than others (WN), but overall if you can get five free seats for your family while sitting at the gate with no where to go........I say "GO FOR IT!"

Interested in a hands on learning experience that will teach you how to travel quickly, efficiently , effectively and work through your jet lag? Please visit www.comeflywithfish.com

Happy Flying

9-November-2007 : The All In One Camera, Lights, Computer Carry On Bag

Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@fishfoto.com

9-November-2007 : The All In One Camera, Lights, Computer Carry On Bag

I have written about my Think Tank Airport Addicted Backpack (www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_product_ArprtAddctd.php) many times before, so it must be no shock for those who know me to see this bag being repurposed and used for a different gear set up.

Over the next few weeks I need to shoot a series of images of four Oncology Nurses for a national book project. The nurses I need to photograph are in New York, Boston, Illinois and Indiana. With my first shoot today in New York I decided to create a full kit that I could easily take to all four locations and carry in a single legal carry on bag. These shoots involve a mix of United Airlines planes, Amtrak trains, the subway and rental cars (OK, using a rental car isn't a big deal. I could load up three cases of gear for a rental car and it wouldn't be a big deal).

My basics were simple in theory, to create a simple one bag kit for all four shoots that I could use as a carry on four flights, easily throw overhead on the train and wear on my back on the subway. First off I laid out all the basic gear I thought I'd need on my kitchen table. After this I took out overlapping gear, heavy gear, and any lens that I just thought would be a waste of space and additional weight. Once this was done I pulled my bags out, backpacks and rolling bags (which reminds me, I really need to get the Think Thank Airport Security bag www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_product_ArprtScrty.php ) and as has occurred many times before , there was only one logical choice..................you guessed it the Think Tank Airport Addicted Backpack.

My backpack has flow hundreds of thousands of miles. It has been set for many different uses. This is however the first time I have used the bag as an all-in-one camera gear + lighting gear + laptop bag.

After today's venture down to New York I am looking forward to putting it through it's paces on some United 737-300s and 757-200s and seeing how it goes.

The complete backpack kit contains the following

Lighting:
2 - Nikon SB-28dx Speedlights
2 - Bogen 3373 Compact Lightstands
2 - Pocket Wizard Receivers
1 - Pocket Wizard Transmitter
2 - PC Cords (Pocket Wizard to Nikon SB-28dx)
2 - PhotoFlex Q39 soft boxes
8 - PhotoFlex mini-rods (for soft boxes)
2 - PhotoFlex Speedrights (with tic-tac-toe patterned rubber bands to hold Nikon SB-28dx lights in place)
2 - Calumet Swivel Adapters
2 - Spare Sets Of "AA" Batteries
1 - Sheet of Cinefoil (to make snoot)
1 - Small Roll of Black Gaffers Tape
1 - Black/White Gobo


Camera Gear:
2 - Canon 1D Series Bodies (1D/1Ds)
4 - Canon 1D Batteries
1 - ThinkTank Pixel Pocket Rocket (SportsShooter Edition)
10 - CF Cards (in Pixel Pocket Rocket)
1 - Canon 14f2.8L
1 - Canon 24f1.4L
1 - Canon 24f3.5L TS-E (Tilt Shift)
1- Canon 50f1.4USM
1 - Canon 85f1.2L
1 - Canon 16-35f2.8L
1 - Canon 28-70f2.8L
1 - Modified Holga Lens (modified to fit Canon EOS mount)

Computer Gear (not pictured)
- Apple 15" PowerBook
- Apple power supply
- Lexar USB 2.0 CF Card Reader
- USB 2.0 Cord
- 60gb iPod Video
- Sennheiser Noise Canceling Headsets
- 10 DVD Sleeve (movies of course)

Below are a few photos of the Think Tank Airport Addicted Backpack (ignore the orange cat hair in the first photo, one of my cats loves to sleep on this bag). The photos show the closed back, open bag fully packed and open bag with the light stands and soft boxes moved out of the way. The laptop stuff is in the "rear computer compartment" and travels in the handy Think Tank's laptop case.

The other two photos are images of my lighting set up and a photo shot during today's shoot for the book project.

Have any questions? Feel free to e-mail me at fish@flyingwithfish.com

Interested in a hands on learning experience that will teach you how to travel quickly, efficiently , effectively and work through your jet lag? Please visit www.comeflywithfish.com

Happy Flying!

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