It seems that there are usually a lot of questions about what sort of camera to bring on the AT, or in general for hiking. Given the rapid pace of camera development, it might be tricky to recommend specific cameras, but also perhaps useful. Is there much interest in a photography article? Something, say, covering basic ideas of what you might look for in a camera, digital vs film, memory management, etc? There are some good photographers on this forum as well as a lot of experienced hikers, so the opportunity for a collaborative article is excellent.

For example, there could be a general article followed by specifics: Where can you burn CDs, recommended cameras with links to photos taken by them, places on the AT that are especially photogenic, carrying systems, and so on.

If there is sufficient interest, I can scrape together some time to write some part of it, but because photography is so much an individual pursuit, it would be best to get a wide variety of input.

It seems that there are usually a lot of questions about what sort of camera to bring on the AT, or in general for hiking. Given the rapid pace of camera development, it might be tricky to recommend specific cameras, but also perhaps useful. Is there much interest in a photography article? Something, say, covering basic ideas of what you might look for in a camera, digital vs film, memory management, etc? There are some good photographers on this forum as well as a lot of experienced hikers, so the opportunity for a collaborative article is excellent.

For example, there could be a general article followed by specifics: Where can you burn CDs, recommended cameras with links to photos taken by them, places on the AT that are especially photogenic, carrying systems, and so on.

If there is sufficient interest, I can scrape together some time to write some part of it, but because photography is so much an individual pursuit, it would be best to get a wide variety of input.

IMHO I plan on bringing a digital camera, model depends on when I hike the AT. Right now I have a 5 yo 1.3 megapixel, my wife and I are going to upgrade to a 6 or 7 mp. When I do my thru-hike I am going to take my camera plus memory card and one extra, when I fill up one I'll mail it back to my wife. She will copy the pics to the PC and mail it back to me up the trail and then the cycle again. I plan on taking a lot of pics.
I'll worry about burning CDs when I return and review the pics.

gumby

I think it'd be great to have such an article. There are quite a few people here who have pictures I'd like to be able to emulate.

Fantastic idea. This is one area I could definitely improve.
-Mark

It would be great to have some specific camera recommendations before Christmas...

When you eat a great Thanksgiving meal, will you say to the cook, "Wow, you have a great set of pots and pans!!"?

People never compliment the cook on the pots and pans, but always give the credit for a good photograph to the camera. Some people take great photographs with minimal cameras while others take poor photographs with the best of cameras.

There are already sites that have good reviews on how to select a digital camera (like: http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/communications/DL7651.html); however, one that adds tips that are unique to hiking makes sense.

Some suggested topics:
1. Rechargable vs Disposable Batteries
2. How to Deal with Condensation
3. Need for Ruggedness
4. Steps to reduce the use of power
5. How to carry a camera (quick access vs protection)
6. Manners -- Do you ask before taking someone's picture?

Great topics, Shutterbug.

I'll contribute to the film side.

But I'm not sure i want to give away all the family secrets:-?

When you eat a great Thanksgiving meal, will you say to the cook, "Wow, you have a great set of pots and pans!!"?

People never compliment the cook on the pots and pans, but always give the credit for a good photograph to the camera. Some people take great photographs with minimal cameras while others take poor photographs with the best of cameras.



You know, I've always had that thought as well. I think the most important aspect of picture taking is the photographer him/her self [1]. The artistry if you will.

I'm a lousy artist. Give me the best paintbrush in the world and the best I can come up with is still a stick figure. ;)

[1] Wtihin reason: those disposable cameras in the drug store are just awful for most pictures! :)

When you eat a great Thanksgiving meal, will you say to the cook, "Wow, you have a great set of pots and pans!!"?

People never compliment the cook on the pots and pans, but always give the credit for a good photograph to the camera. Some people take great photographs with minimal cameras while others take poor photographs with the best of cameras.

There are already sites that have good reviews on how to select a digital camera (like: http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/communications/DL7651.html); however, one that adds tips that are unique to hiking makes sense.

Some suggested topics:
1. Rechargable vs Disposable Batteries
2. How to Deal with Condensation
3. Need for Ruggedness
4. Steps to reduce the use of power
5. How to carry a camera (quick access vs protection)
6. Manners -- Do you ask before taking someone's picture?

Gearing the article toward hiking, particularly over long distances, was what I had in mind for the article.

While the maxim you give is usually true, it isn't always true. I could give the world's createst photographer the camera I took to Nepal (no batteries, Mom got it free with a checking account) and then we could duel, with me having a $3500 5D with a $600 17-40 L lens. I'm pretty sure I'd win.

just to chime in, i've made prints with a 14$ camera i got, and they blow away most of the kids in my photo class (holga).Think about what you want and go from there. the recomdations from someone who wants to just remember where they where, is far diffrent then one who wants to create magical and artistic pictures of the trail.you can go from a small sub 10oz digicam, or a giant Ansel Adams esque View camera, and the extra two assistants to carry it

Great idea Chris! I believe that an AT Thru-Hike, by it's very nature, has magnificent potential as an exercise in photojournalism. Photography is a natural extension of the journals that we all love to keep.

With the abundance of online info available to shutterbugs, I'd like to see such an article lean towards long distance hiking-specific recommendations. I've enjoyed nature photography as a hobby for many years, but I admit I'd be scratching my head over dilemmas presented by thru-hiking. Digital seems a no-brainer now, but then you're faced with battery choices, memory management, getting the images home, post-hike editing and the list goes on (and that's after you've settled on the "right" camera).

With the amount of information to be hashed out (not to mention how quickly technology is advancing) it might be better served by its own forum, with some type of introductory article serving as the jumping off point. Seems like any point brought up in an article would beg a dozen questions seeking further explanation.