My outdoor gear

Ready for the Wild

Over the years, I’ve collected quite an impressive amount of outdoor gear. Probably more than I really need! But when heading into the wilderness with my camera, I always try to keep things simple and lightweight. After all, it’s the camera equipment that deserves most of the space in my backpack.

The Art of Staying Invisible

One of my most valuable pieces of outdoor gear isn’t particularly high-tech or expensive. It’s my camouflage suit, complete with a hooded jacket, trousers, face mask, and gloves. When you don’t have the luxury of enormous telephoto lenses, you need to master the art of getting closer to wildlife. And believe me, that’s an adventure in itself! Moving slowly, staying silent, reading the landscape, and blending into your surroundings takes patience, practice, and a little bit of luck. But the rewards go far beyond getting a great photograph. There’s something truly special about sitting quietly in nature, almost becoming part of the landscape, while wildlife carries on completely unaware of your presence. Of course, the golden rule is always to respect the animals and never push too close or disturb their natural behaviour.
Good camouflage is only part of the secret. Sometimes, the best wildlife encounters happen when you simply disappear into your surroundings and let nature come to you. I’ve shared some of my experiences with this approach in my article The Art of Waiting – Life Inside a Photo Hide.

A Little Home in the Wilderness

When an adventure stretches over several days, my backpack needs to carry more than just photography equipment. I usually bring a small, lightweight tent and the essential gear needed to stay comfortable, warm, and self-sufficient out in the wild.
For colder nights, I rely on a warm winter sleeping bag, while a lightweight quilt is my preferred choice during summer. An insulated inflatable sleeping pad keeps me comfortable and protected from the cold ground.
And then there’s my tiny liquid-fuel stove. Small, reliable, and absolutely essential for preparing a hot meal after a long day exploring the wilderness.
But let’s be clear about one thing … Its most important job is making COFFEE! ☕
Because no matter how remote the wilderness, how cold the morning, or how challenging the adventure — life is simply better with a steaming cup of coffee in your hands.

Travel light. Stay curious. Blend into nature. And never forget the coffee!