Protect Your Camera 

Rain, humidity, sand, and dust are some of your camera's enemies. Fortunately, taking just a few simple precautions will allow you to protect your camera in even the most extreme conditions. In the following you will find some advice on how you can protect your camera. 

Rain

It often rains in our native Denmark, but it is not only in these latitudes that rain is a challenge you must take seriously.  During vacations in the tropics it is quite common to experience torrential downpours. And water does not only fall from the sky. You might want to take photos of happy children playing in a fountain or you might want to capture your girlfriend for posterity in front of a waterfall.  There are many ways you can use water as an element in your photography and there is absolutely no reason to pack up your camera just because it might get a little wet.
 

Most cameras won’t mind a little rain. The more expensive the equipment the more water it will generally tolerate. Professional equipment has been designed to tolerate really extreme conditions, but you should expect to pay accordingly.

 
All Weather Is Photography Weather

Many people do not realise this, but bad weather often allows you to shoot very different and exciting photos. In time, the perfect holiday snapshot of blue skies and sunshine can actually become a little boring. Try shooting some photos when the weather is at its worst. If you are convinced that it will soon start raining, bring along an umbrella to protect your camera. You can also carry your camera safely stowed away in your breast pocket under rain wear or a poncho.

        Most cameras can handle a little humidity if you make sure to dry them out thoroughly as soon as possible. If you are travelling in an environment characterised by high humidity we recommend that you invest in a water and air proof container for your camera. There are many different types of protective equipment on the market. 

When the clouds gather and the sky darkens it is comforting to know that you have a good waterproof camera bag within easy reach. This photo is from New Zealand.
 
Sand

In summer, the camera is a natural companion on your outing to the seaside. The beach is, of course, made up of billions of tiny grains of sand that can easily penetrate even the smallest of openings. You should show great care when shooting around sand, because if you do not, cleaning your camera can be highly problematic.
     You should always take care to put your camera in a separate space in your bags away from sandy towels, food containers, spectacle cases, and other items that might have sand on them. You should likewise make sure to stow away your camera somewhere safe when not using it, to avoid it being suddenly covered with sand due to a sudden gust of wind or by children playing while you relax and enjoy the sun.
 

Sand is a challenge, but dust can be even more of a challenge. Dust can penetrate everywhere and guarding against it can, consequently, be very difficult. Showing great care and using more time on maintenance than usual is the only solution to the problem. This is a photo of an Ababda Beduin in the Wadi el Gemal.
 
Dust
If you are travelling in the desert or if your camera is stored on a shelf in a dusty room all winter, you are likely to experience problems due to dust. If the damage has been done it is, however, relatively easy to correct again.
        Begin by wiping off the surfaces of the camera with a dry piece of cloth. Then wipe the lens carefully and try taking a few photos. The important question is whether dust has entered the camera. If your camera is digital this is easy to determine. If dust has entered the camera, tiny grains of dust will generally show up on your photos. If this appears to be the case you should bring your camera to your local photo store to have it cleaned by professionals.

In a desert you can be quite sure that dust will penetrate everywhere. So take good care of your equipment!
 
Photo Bags
There are many different products in the market that are purpose made for protecting your camera equipment. You can choose from small, medium sized or large bags according to your specific needs. Some are equipped with water and dust proof zippers, others with rain capes, and some have all these features. If you are planning to shoot in driving rain, or even below the surface of the sea, you should invest in a practical waterproof container. Visit your local photo equipment store and describe your specific needs and you can work out together what product is right for your needs.
 
Follow this link to read more about what photo bags we use on our assignments.
 
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