Luke Nicholas (@lukenicholas) is an Auckland-based freelance photographer who loves shooting urban environments – primarily at night. As he spends so much time walking around the city looking for new locations, Luke likes to keep his camera kit as light as possible for maximum mobility. We caught up with him recently to find out what he packs in his bag when he’s about to head out for a shoot.
Alpha 7R III Full-frame Camera
The Sony Alpha 7R III is my main camera and I use it for everything, from client work to my own personal projects.
With the full-frame sensor in the Sony Alpha 7R III I can capture high-quality images in practically any environment, and the 42-megapixel resolution gives me the flexibility to crop into photos later in post-production if needed.
This camera also has Pixel Shift Multi Shooting, a feature that gives me the ability to produce even higher quality images with greater colour accuracy, increased sharpness, and less moire. I regularly use Pixel Shift when I’m out shooting cityscapes and want to capture every detail.
Sony Alpha 7R III with FE 16-35mm G Master lens. 8 sec, f/10, ISO 400
FE 16-35mm F2.8 G Master Lens
As an urban photographer, I like to showcase the people and spaces of the city I’m exploring. The 16-35mm GM is a compact wide-angle zoom lens that gives me the flexibility to photograph a wide variety of subjects.
The 16mm focal length is wide enough to shoot architecture, tight interior spaces, and cityscapes, while the 35mm focal length is perfect for street photography and contextual portraits. And having an f/2.8 maximum aperture is a big advantage when photographing in low light situations without a tripod.
Sony Alpha 7R III with FE 16-35mm G Master lens. 1/13 sec, f/4.5, ISO 3200
Sony Alpha 7R III with FE 16-35mm G Master lens. 1/8 sec, f/4, ISO 1000
FE 50mm F1.8 Lens
I like to capture small details and intimate moments to give my visual stories more depth, and I find the 50mm f1.8 is a fantastic lens for this purpose.
The f/1.8 maximum aperture also enables me to shoot in low light situations, and the shallow depth of field helps separate the subject from any distraction elements in the foreground or background.
When I’m out shooting street photography I make sure that I have my camera on hand at all times. This 50mm lens is very small and light, so I can carry it for extended periods without any issues. The last thing I want to worry about is having bulky and heavy camera gear restricting my creativity.
Sony Alpha 7R III with FE 50mm lens. 1/200 sec, f/1.8, ISO 1000
Sony Alpha 7R III with FE 50mm lens. 1/100 sec, f/2, ISO 1250
Accessories
Spare Camera Batteries
You never know how long a shoot will go for, so having multiple spare batteries in my camera kit gives me peace of mind.
Spare SD Cards and SD Card Case
I always carry additional SD cards with me. These cards are all stored in a water-resistant hard case because protecting the imagery I’ve just shot is extremely important.
Giotto Rocket Air Blower
This rocket blower does a great job of removing dust from my camera sensor and lenses. This is an essential item in my camera kit, I never go on a shoot without it.
Peak Design Slide Camera Strap
This is one of the best camera straps I’ve owned. It makes it more comfortable when I’m carrying my camera for long periods of time, and it can be quickly and easily removed when I need to take shots where the camera strap would get in the way.
Portable Charger / Power Bank
I always carry around a spare backup power source when out and about, so I can charge my phone and other electronic devices if needed.
Sony Alpha 7R III with FE 50mm lens. 1/125 sec, f/2.5, ISO 1250
Lens Wipes & Lens Cloth
Essential for keeping my camera gear crispy clean!
Joby Gorilla Pod
I bring this whenever I need some sort of stability for long exposures and don’t want to carry a heavy tripod with me. The Joby Gorilla Pod is lightweight, flexible, and suitable for urban environments. An added bonus is that it easily fits inside my camera bag.
Coin
I always carry a coin around with me when I need help attaching or removing tripod mounts.
Wireless Earbuds
I have my wireless earbuds with me at all times. They’re great for when I need music to get into the “zone” for street photography, or just want something to keep me occupied when waiting for time-lapses and long exposures.
Hand Sanitizer
When photographing in the city I’m constantly resting my hands on all types of surfaces to get certain shots, so hand sanitizer is essential.
Sony Alpha 7R III with FE 16-35mm G Master lens. 1/30 sec, f/2.8, ISO 2000
