From Pavement to Picture: Shooting While on the Road

I’d be naive if I spoke of road trips being a task of traveling from point A to point B. From home to a destination, there are new perspectives around each turn, resulting in the greatest joy of travel. Sure, airplanes are quick, but there are few things in life that I enjoy more than the feeling of turning the key in my vehicle and embarking on countless hours of driving, knowing that the serenity ahead is unrivaled and unplanned in the best ways. Why not add a camera into the mix and see what can be captured en route? Since asking myself that question nearly a decade ago, I’ve gathered a trove of insight when it comes to life on the road, my camera in hand, all to travel while capturing images.

We’ll expand on a variety of facets in this post, but to start, I think it’s best to explore purpose. Let’s ask some questions along the way, the first one being…

Why should I drive? Where should I go?

When I got my driver's license, my road trips were limited. Still under the roof of my parents, many of my trips took me throughout my home state of Wisconsin. I quickly fell in love with the stillness of winter and the repetition of summer greens. The Northwoods brought me joy in ways I cannot describe, and they still do. Waterfalls, forests, beaches, and hidden lakes kept me curious in my early years, wondering how much more was out there. Curiosity - that’s what has kept me behind the wheel and driving all this time. Once I turned 18, my limitations dropped and I’ve been all over ever since. As a seasoned storm chaser, some of the greatest time on the road has been spent searching for the most barren foregrounds, waiting for a thunderous monster to cover the sky and fill my frame.

When Mother Nature decides to not cooperate, all can still be well. Equipped with a vehicle, I can abandon a chase at a moment’s notice and decide my next destination. I adore the Western USA. States like Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Wyoming, and Oregon feel like home, and when storms go quiet, my curiosity comes alive and I’m on the next available westbound interstate at a moment’s notice. Let your curiosity drive you (pun intended) to places you go, and never settle for just point A to B.

How do I find time to shoot?

I believe this is one of the best parts about road trips and driving. The simple answer: whenever you want! Especially if you are at the leisure of your schedule, pull over when you’d like, drive when you’d like, and shoot however much you want. One thing to consider when shooting though, as a tip, make sure you have enough storage. There’s nothing worse than being in front of an epic scene and the dreaded “card full” message flashes across your screen. I used to run into this problem and would have no choice but to return to my car and offload images onto my MacBook just to clear up storage. What I’ve found to be the solution is to carry multiple cards and trust the storage size you choose. I’ve placed my complete trust in the ProMaster Rugged SD cards. I carry almost half a terabyte worth of cards on me nowadays, and not once have I felt uncomfortable with filling up 128GB worth of RAWs. Pair the cards with the Rugged Card Case, and I know my images are safe and secure, and man, do they transfer fast at the end of the day. Especially as a storm chaser, being able to switch cards in a pinch makes it easy knowing I can reach into my glovebox and have more storage available at a moment’s notice. I couldn’t recommend these items more.

What’s it like to adapt to changing plans?

It’s important to realize that oftentimes, plans change without your control. I’ve been stuck in traffic for hours before, or I can’t find parking at the start of a trail, or my least favorite, the Drive Thru at McDonald’s is closed. In all seriousness, though, it’s crucial to recognize you aren’t always going to have the luxury of being in charge.

One of the reasons I love being in Utah and its surrounding states is the abundance of BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land. The lack of regulation and the freedom to explore and shoot at my discretion makes the experience all worthwhile and places you at the mercy of the natural world. I don’t know about others, but being in this type of atmosphere challenges me to adapt and I love it. Pulse thunderstorms have caught me off guard in the Badlands before, unanticipated snowfall nearly trapped me in Yellowstone, and the arrival of a squall line once forced me to ride the winds out in a gas station.

Make the most of how plans change. Switch your creative vision and shoot something else. Challenge your photographic muscle and try something new. Last year, I took a trip to the North Shores of Minnesota and after driving all night for fall colors, I discovered my planned route was closed due to flash flooding. While maneuvering some detours, I discovered a coastline view that I couldn’t help but stop and rush out to shoot. Armed with my ProMaster Specialist Tripod paired up with my L-Bracket, I captured a moment of fleeting sunlight through the cloud deck, while waves roared towards me. This was that shot.

What if something goes wrong? What happens if I get a flat?

Life goes on. I’ve changed a flat tire before and I’ve woken up after a night of sleeping to a dead car battery. I even dealt with a check engine light coming on while chasing three years ago. While not fun, life still goes on. When it comes to roadside assistance and other preparations you can make, AAA has been a lifesaver. When my car battery died, I had a service tech at my location in under an hour and had a new battery installed in less than two. Back on the road and I was off to my next location.

For more dire situations, both AAA and sometimes your auto insurance will come with coverage for a tow. This can be less ideal, but by no means detrimental. I’m a firm believer in taking care of your car and treating it right, and it’ll take care of you and treat you right in return. The same goes for camera gear, as well. I always do my best to keep my gear in as pristine shape as possible with any downtime I may have, so having various tools close by makes the upkeep process smooth and reassuring.

I carry a Premium Optic Cleaning Pen on me at all times, as well as a Hurricane Blower in the unforeseen circumstance that a pesky piece of dust gets on my sensor. Knowing these cost-effective tools are with me allows me to be much more confident in putting myself out in the elements whenever the opportunity presents itself. Oh, and just to be safe, all of my gear is insured through Mack Warranry. Beyond just a manufacturer’s warranty, Mack provides the comfort of knowing that I am protected if my camera takes a tumble, my lens cracks, a dial stops working, or whatever. I’m protected from the elements (and clumsiness). The value of this insurance is, well, invaluable.

Like I said earlier, the serenity of being on the road for hours on end with as many destinations as you want is unrivaled. I’ll continue to roam out West, revisiting some of my favorite spots, while exploring new ones. I’ll continue to chase storms among the barren countryside of the Plains, and in my next endeavor, I plan to see what the Appalachians have in store for me.

Think of all you see when you look out a plane window. All the fields, rivers, lakes, mountains, canyons, oceans, beaches, and cities you pass by. All of that and more is an opportunity for you to see and capture. All in all, let your curiosity grip the steering wheel and put your foot on the gas.