Must-Have Technology for Visual Artists: Unmissable Tools for All Creative Minds
A Night Under the Stars Turns Techy
Nestled deep within the Cederberg mountains, far from the city lights, two photographers bask in the awe of nature's splendor late at night. As the world slumbers miles away, they wrap up their Milky Way shoot, their eyes captivated by the unique rock formations and the dramatic shift of stars above. The sunrise is on the horizon, and they've got a quick nap before the day's adventures unfold. Yet, an unexpected technological mishap could change their course.
"Dylan, my worst nightmare just came true—I left my laptop at home," Muji voices his dismay.
A sympathetic chuckle escapes Dylan's lips. "No worries, buddy. You can use mine," he offers.
The Night's Uncertainties
Even in the African night's darkness, the true challenges are not potential encounters with leopards or porcupines, but the nagging tech and creative issues that linger in their minds. They climb into their off-road vehicle, shaking off concerns as they gather their camping chairs and camera backpacks. Time is of the essence in preparing for the spectacular sunrise.
"This laptop might be on the older side, but it's lightweight and perfect for travel," Dylan explains, powering up the device. "It's ideal for basic video editing when on the go—and with a long battery life."
Muji receives the compact and portable external SSD drive and card reader, replying gratefully, "Thanks for bailing me out like a lifesaver! I would have been up a creek without a paddle without you. My memory cards are full, and they need backups."
"Well, I knew I'd be kicking myself if I had forgotten my card reader at home, too," Dylan laughs. "We've saved each other from disaster!"
"It turns out we both skipped a few items on our tech essentials list," Muji concludes.
The story continues, and they find a way to brave the morning shoot, despite the setbacks.
The Lesson Learned
The moral of the story underscores the importance of often-overlooked tools for visual creators. Beyond the standard camera equipment, certain tech accessories are essential. Even seasoned professionals can benefit from compiling and reviewing a checklist before venturing out on a shoot. I'll share my home office studio's tech essentials at a later time.
Key Tech Essentials for Visuals Creators
In the meantime, here are my five go-to tech items that make my travel and local shooting easier. Of course, tailor your list to your personal needs and budget.
MacBook Air
Although I work with 4K 10-bit log footage and shoot raw images, I prefer a lighter laptop like the MacBook Air for simplicity. Its slim profile enables me to carry heavy gear while still handling basic video editing tasks. Best of all, it offers a long battery life—making it perfect for work breaks in a coffee shop or productive studio sessions.
Mobile Phone
Adopting Batman's wise words, "Always Be Recording," a mobile phone serves as an indispensable tool for visual creators. It's not just for communication but a powerful resource waiting to be tapped. I've captured dramatic and emotional footage with my phone, using its ability to take raw images and log footage in my videos. I also use apps for managing my shoots, scheduling meetings, and assessing sunset, sunrise, and Milky Way directions.
Jupio Pr1me Tri-Charger
Since acquiring the Jupio Pr1me Tri-Charger, I haven't looked back. This compact, stylish, and durable charger can simultaneously charge multiple camera batteries. Plus, it doubles as a charger for your cellphone or other smaller devices when your camera batteries aren't in use.
Portable Hard Drive
I rely on the SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable 1TB USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C External SSD V2 for backups. This fast, portable, durable, and compact SSD drive not only saves space and time but provides reassurance when traveling. I back up my laptop files and the external drive simultaneously, ensuring redundancy to prevent data loss.
Headlamp
Besides illuminating dark spaces, a headlamp comes in handy for nighttime photography. I recommend purchasing a lamp with a powerful beam and a smaller lamp with moderate red light output to reduce eye strain during nighttime shoots.
These essentials have become an integral part of my photography adventures. Other must-haves include power banks, card readers, and spare USB-C cables. Stay tuned for more insights into my tech arsenal.
- In the midst of a Milky Way shoot, the photographers discovered the importance of technological essentials when Muji realized he left his laptop at home.
- Utilizing Dylan's lightweight MacBook Air and a compact external SSD drive, they managed to bypass the issue, emphasizing the significance of having a portable backup solution.
- As they prepared for the sunrise shoot, they discussed the necessity of mobile phones for essential applications like managing shoots, scheduling meetings, and assessing directions, making it a vital tool for visual creators.
- Their list of overlooked tech essentials continued with the Jupio Pr1me Tri-Charger, which allowed for simultaneous charging of multiple camera batteries and smaller devices.
