For many years I've preferred to wear a photographer's vest over carrying a shoulder bag while shooting in the field. This is my friend John Corvino wearing one of the vests that I've worn all over the world. By not carrying a camera bag you free your hands to carry otherh important gear like your tripod.
Why I Prefer a Photographer's Vest Over a Shoulder Bag in the Field (and in the airport!)
Unless you're wealthy and can afford to hire a sherpa (can I borrow him?), probably the worst thing about traveling with camera equipment is having to haul it around with you. Shoulder bags are great for carrying your gear on and off planes and trains (I never check gear in a camera bag, I always carry it on), but when it comes to actually going out for the day shooting, forget it. Camera bags are a big giant clumsy albatross and trust me, if you go walking through Grand Central Terminal at rush hour with a shoulder bag, some poor old lady is going down. While I transport my gear in a shoulder bag or backpack, I always bring along a photographer's or journalist's vest and when I arrive at my destination I transfer the gear I think I'll need into the vest.
If I'm flying somewhere, I don't have to pack the vest since I wear it on the plane--all of those pockets are great for airline tickets, schedules, itineraries, bottles of water and a pound or two of trail mix. My primary vest (I own several--a few are lighter weight than others, so useful if I'm going to a hot climate) has about 20 different pockets and I can easily these accessories:
Two extra lenses (including my 70-300mm Nikkor) A pocket full of memory cards in a Think Tank light-weight wallet One or two extra camera batteries (though I have to admit the Nikon ELNi batteries I use last forever) Several micro-fiber lens cleaning cloths A polarizing and at least one or two Neutral Density filters A map and pocket compass A rain poncho (and a few black garbage--one to toss the vest into if I run into a downpour and another to use as a backup poncho) A few Ziplock bags to use as impromptu camera rain covers
Most vests also has a big rear pocket that's plenty big enough to carry a city guide or topo map.
Most good vests have a number of inside pockets, too, and I carry my passport and wallet in a hidden interior pocket. There is also plenty of room for maps, airline tickets and train schedules. I can also carry a sandwich and a bottle of water with me anywhere and if I buy a few postcards or a small souvenir, I can toss them in an extra pocket and keep my hands free. Because you're wearing the vest, you'll never really notice the weight--especially if you're careful to distribute larger items carefully. I can literally spend 12 hours in my vest and while I'm thrilled to get if off when I get back to the hotel, it's completely comfortable. Yes, it might make you stand out as a photographer and I guess that could make you a target of thieves, but you're a far bigger target if you're carrying around an expensive-looking shoulder bag with an expensive-sounding brand name (and I suggest using a marker pen to cover all brand names on camera bags).
When choosing a vest, look at several different brands and designs--there are a few links to vests here, but I don't endorse one over the other. The most expensive vest I have costs under $100 and I tend to take my chances and order one that looks good and is a good deal. If I don't like it I'll return it, but so far I've kept the four or five I've bought and I end up using them all. It is tough to judge one vest from another if you're shopping mail order, so if possible, go to a professional camera store or a big sports store that stocks several vests. You might also consider also going to a hunting of fishing supply store (like Cabella's) since hunting and fishing vests are essentially the same thing.
It was a cold, cold day on the beach when we shot these photos and notice how John is keeping his hands warm in the vest pockets--another nice reason to own a vest and a good feature to look for when shopping. A rear waist adjustiment (this vest has one) is also a good idea becuase it lets you tighten things up a bit.
Hey, by the way! Be prepared for being at the receiving end of jokes when you're out
wearing your vest. I took a cruise to Bermuda years ago and without
really realizing it, I was looking a bit military in my shooting vest
and brown fatigue shorts. As I was getting off the cruise ship in
Hamilton, one of the crew looked at me carefully and in his utterly
British dry-humored voice said, "Visiting or invading?" OK, so it was a
pretty funny remark, I'll give him that. But if you're traveling in any areas that have had recent military actions, you definitely don't want to look like you're part of an invading or occupying force. If you have to, sew a couple of Disney patches on the vest to make yourself look like a tourist!
