A lot of the time, I find very useful items that I do not find in a camera store, or find in a much less costly way in other locations. Here’s short list of stuff you can leave in a bag for when you need any of them.

Foam Core Board

This stuff is terrific. Get a sheet of black and a sheet of white from the dollar store and cut it down to whatever you consider a readily portable size. Use the black or white as an isolating background for closeup work. Use the white as a cheap field reflector for close up work.

Wooden Clothespins

They come in packs of 50 or so, and take up negligible space. You can use them to hold twigs, branches and other stuff out of the way without damaging the flora. You can also use them to hold your pieces of foam core board in place.

Bag of Micro Fibre Cloths

You should have a few in your bag, to wipe down your gear after use, or to use as a mop tool to clean up stuff that is interfering with your image. Do NOT buy at the camera store, go to Walmart or Costco and get them in bulk. They’re also great for cleaning the tripod legs and feet when you need to place them in the muck to get your shot

Package of Bar Towels

Get these at Walmart or a similar store. Use them to wipe glassware, silverware or anything else that you are using as a prop to remove finger prints and oils. They are typically a cotton blend and don’t leave a lot of lint around. They also have a nice white texture, making them great backgrounds for flowers, insects and colourful leaves

Pack of Wet Wipes

Get the ones without alcohol. You may get some sap, or soda on your hands and you don’t want that getting on your gear. Also good for wiping your face and hands if you get them dusty or dirty

Elastic Cable Ties

Keep all those loose cables and stuff in order in your bag. No need to spend a lot of money, again check your local dollar store

Swiss Army Knife

The knife blade is always handy, but the scissors, and the mini pliers along with that flat blade screwdriver are always welcome and needed. I like the EVO Grip because it never gets slippery

Nitrile Gloves

You may have these left around from the pandemic. Keep a few pair in your camera bag for when you have to handle or move something icky out of the way

Plastic battery boxes

You can find very inexpensive battery boxes on Amazon. It’s a simple way to carry spare rechargeable batteries with you. You can also get small plastic boxes if you need to carry spares of those button type batteries

Floorer’s Knee Pads

No matter how tough you are, if you are going to be making images where you expect to be kneeling, take a pair of floorer’s knee pads in the car with you. Your knees will thank you today and definitely as you get older.

Small Tarp

Again, goes in the car or folded in your tote. A small tarp can keep you and your gear dry in the event of a sudden shower, holds up better than a garbage bag and is ideal if you have to get down on your belly on the ground

Gaffer Tape

Cut some short lengths and stick them to your tripod legs. You will be surprised how handy these strips become

Small Hand Loop of Para Cord

Get this at your local hardware store. I got about 25 ft of the stuff that came on a hand loop. It’s great for tying off larger branches or to secure your tripod to a post if you are working on an angle

Pair of Tweezers

If you’ve ever been stung by nettles, or thorns or critters, or gotten a splinter while out, you know how annoying they are. Be prepared

BandAids

Have you ever cut yourself or been scratched while making images? Right, put a few bandages in your kit. Some folks carry a portable first aid kit in a small waterproof box and that is a good idea if you will be out for the whole day

Sunblock and Bug Spray

You know you will need them, and if you don’t pack them, you won’t have them, plus you can clean the gunk off your hands with a Wet Wipe that you packed earlier

Remember…

For most of us, when we go out, it’s not on an Everest expedition. You can get enough of this stuff into a small waist pack or nylon bag that you can attach to your camera bag with a cheap carabiner. It doesn’t have to be huge and you should ensure that it’s not going to be heavy. There’s no rocket science in any of this. In fact, I started packing these things because of my Mom. When I was a little kid a long time ago, it seemed that whatever was needed at an instant, Mom had one in her purse. Prepared, self-reliant and engaged. A pretty fine model to emulate as far as I am concerned.

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