This week I got the chance to tag along on a photo shoot with a buddy of mine in an abandoned NIKE missile bunker.  It was pretty adventurous, but sounded like fun.  He had a model that was coming up for this and we aimed to make it as professional as possible.  Paul was the primary photographer on scene with his Assistant/Apprentice, Andy helping out.  I was on hand more for the behind the scenes shots to document the shoot itself.  Overall it was a blast!  I uploaded the Behind the scenes shots to my gallery and you can find the model shoots over at Paul’s Flickr stream.

This got me thinking about what all I am carrying in my portable kit and why.  So I thought I would break it down for anyone who may be interested:

• Nikon D5100 16.2MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera
• Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
• Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
• Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD LD Aspherical IF Macro Zoom Lens with Built in Motor for Nikon DSLR Cameras
• Tamron AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD IF Macro Lens with Built in Motor for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
• Nikon SB-600 Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
• Wireless-Flash-Trigger-3-Receiver
• Apple iPad 2 MC916LL/A Tablet (64GB, Wifi, Black) 2nd Generation
• Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit (MC531ZM/A)
• Eye-Fi Pro X2 8 GB Class 6 SDHC Wireless Flash Memory Card EYE-FI-8PC
• 2xAmazonBasics SDHC Class 10 32 GB Secure Digital Card
• Fotodiox Nikon Macro Extension Tube Set
• LensPEN + Precision Design Cleaning Kit – for Digital SLR Cameras & Lenses
• Prolight Inverted Clear Dome Flash Diffuser System for the Nikon SB-600, SB-800 & Olympus FL-36 Flash Units
• GoPro HD HERO2: Motorsports Edition (2011 Model)
• Lenmar PPUS20 PowerPort Solar Charger & Battery for Cell Phone/MP3/PDA/Gaming Devices, Charging Cable/Device Tip Adapters
• Joby GP3 Gorillapod SLR-Zoom Flexible Tripod
• Sunpak 620-660PG Tripod Pistol Head (Tripod kept separate)
• Opteka RC-2 Wireless Remote Control for Nikon D40, D40x, D50, D60, D70, D70s, D80, D90, D3000, D5000 & D7000 Digital SLR Camera (Nikon ML-L3 Replacement)
• Nikon MH-24 Quick Charger for EN-EL14 Li-ion Battery compatible with Nikon D3100 DSLR, D5100 DSLR, and P7000 Digital Cameras
• Sunpak DigiFlash 3000 Electronic Flash Unit (Nikon i-TTL)
• Canon Deluxe Photo Backpack 200EG for Canon EOS SLR Cameras (Black with Green Accent)

Some of the things to draw attention to here:

• The iPad: I mostly use this for very quick spot processing and shot review and looking up any info.  I can also do instant uploads  of shots if I need to send them out ASAP (depending on Signal on my 4G Thunderbolts tether).  The app I use the most for processing is Filterstorm.
• The SB-600 is my Speedlight.  It’s a low end light but I am working to get some remote triggers for off camera lighting.
• The combo of the GorillaPod and the Pistol Head tripod mount makes for a small easy to aim pose-able mini tripod that is great of remote locations.

The item that I catch the most grief for is the one that brings it all together.  You may have noticed that all of my gear is Nikon based, yet I have a Canon bag.  When I was shopping around for a backpack that would carry everything and not break the bank, the Canon one kept coming up.  It has protective compartments for everything and is small and light.  Sure it’s misleading sometimes but it gets the job done.

So there you have it.  All of my gear laid out for all to see.  now that I have shown you mine, how about you show me yours!