Second post of the In My Bag project I am doing.

This week I am showcasing the gear I take with me while photographing around the Qalandia Checkpoint in the West Bank. The checkpoint connects the West Bank and Jerusalem and is on the outskirts of Ramallah. Anyone crossing from the WB to Israel must show their passport and have the correct credentials to gain access. This makes the checkpoint extremely busy and on a bad day the checkpoint can become impassable with traffic jams lasting up to 4 or more hours. I have photographed at the location multiple times since being in country and always choose the gear I take carefully.

Since the checkpoint is busy and there is little shade packing lightly is essential, no one wants to carry a 3 plus pound camera and lens around with them all day, and the small tight quarters of the area make the need for something compact and sleek very real.

Here is my kit:

1. Fujifilm X-T1

2. Fujifilm X100s (with 23mm f2.0 lens)

3. Passport

4. Fujinon X-Mount 18mm f2.0

5. Tobacco/papers/filters

6. Audio recorder

7. Back up batteries for each camera

8. Lighter

I thoroughly enjoy the freedom of movement and weight that using mirrorless systems allows me, and these cameras are incredibly light and powerful. Not included are water, gum, and whatever else is in my pocket like change etc.

Below are some images made at Qalandia Checkpoint with this set up.

Hope these posts are informative and interesting. Stay tuned for the next post sometime next week.

I have always been interested in seeing what photographers carry in their bag while on different assignments, thus I have decided to start doing my own weekly posts documenting what gear I take with me on specific assignments. The posts will show the gear I used, a list of the equipment, and some sample images that I took on that particular day/job.

This is the equipment I take with me while covering clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli troops in the West Bank.

1. Ballistics helmet

2. Newswear vest with velcro PRESS sign

3. Gas Mask

4. Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 ED

5. Nikon D700

6. Fujifilm XT-1

7. Nikon D4S

8. Loose change (for cab fare and a snack)

9. Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 G

10. Baby Doll head (found on the street, it has become a joke among me and my colleagues to put the dolls head in each others equipment bags to find while working)

11. Nikon 24mm f2.8 D

12. Fujinon 18mm f2

13. Audio recorder

14. Passport

15. Iphone

16. Tobacco/rolling papers/filters

17. Wallet

This is my typical loadout when covering high intensity situations abroad. The helmet, 24mm lens, and newswear vest are my girlfriend's equipment, however when she is not using them or covering clashes I use them. My own personal head protection is actually a construction helmet.

Here are some images from covering clashes that I have made using this equipment.