Please select your home edition
Edition
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - LEADERBOARD
Product Feature
Zhik Beanie
Zhik Beanie

Ian Roman's 10 must have bits of kit for sailing photography

by Ian Roman 27 Mar 2015 13:56 GMT 27 March 2015
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing in Auckland © Ian Roman / www.ianroman.com

Ian Roman is one of the top sailing photographers who has travelled the world to bring sailing coverage to life with stunning action shots. Ian has covered the Olympics, America's Cup and the Volvo Ocean Race and is currently the official photographer for Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing. Here Ian tells us about his ten must-have bits of kit... apart from his cameras of course!

  1. Portable power packs with USB output - With so much equipment having internal batteries and dedicated charging cables these are an absolute must. I have three of various sizes and invariably have at least two with me at all times. bit.ly/USBChargers (Update: I now only have two portable power packs as one was confiscated by Chinese customs! See www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/civil-aviation)

  2. Black Rapid double camera strap - After years of running around with a camera hanging off each shoulder, hoping that neither slip off this simple addition ensures that they stay secure throughout the day -with the added benefit that when I go on the water I can unclip the cameras and put them straight in my Pelicase. See www.blackrapid.com/products/double

  3. Wacom tablet - Probably the single best addition to my editing hardware. Would you sign your name with a pen shaped like a bar of soap? -That pretty much describes most mouses! The stylus gives me precision when editing images and the buttons on the side of the tablet are programmable and can be customised for each software package. I use the small tablet, I've never felt I need bigger, and is easy to pack in hand luggage. See www.wacom.com

  4. Firewire card reader - My MacBook Pro doesn't have USB3, if it did I would be saying USB3 card reader, my point is have the fastest card reader possible otherwise you will waste a crazy amount of time waiting for your files to download.

  5. Unlocked Mobile Hotspot - Gets all your devices online simultaneously, make sure you are only paying local data charges. I use the Netgear AirCard AC785, put in the local sim card and it works, no faffing. See www.netgear.co.uk/home/products/mobile-broadband/hotspots/AC785.aspx

  6. Knee pads - When people see me for the first time wearing a pair of volleyball knee pads there is general mirth and merryment. If you are looking to get a low angle the chances are you're going to be on your knees. The knee pads mean I can still walk at the end of the day! See www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000K337JI

  7. Fibreglass Pen - Also known as a scratch brush pen. Cleans up electrical contacts, especially useful to remove corrosion from a hot shoe.

  8. Pelicase - Absolutely the best protection for camera equipment while afloat (or anywhere else for that matter). I have a few, my favourite is the Pelicase 1650 - this monster will hold all your camera equipment, spare clothing and packed lunch. The only downside is the weight, without any gear it is a very solid 11kg. See www.pelicancases.com

  9. Hotel hand towels - I have yet to find a better way to dry my gear after the occasional wave. Always remember to return at the end of the day and replenish with a freshly laundered dry set! See www.fourseasons.com

  10. Noise cancelling headphones - Ideal for retreating into a private world, not only in the media centre, but from the moment I leave home! See www.bose.co.uk

www.ianroman.com

Related Articles

AC75 launching season
Love 'em or hate 'em, the current America's Cup yachts represent the cutting-edge of foiling Love 'em or hate 'em, the current America's Cup yachts certainly represent the cutting-edge of foiling and are the fastest windward-leeward sailing machines on water. Posted on 15 Apr All Hands on Deck at sailing clubs
To fundraise for the RNLI in 200th anniversary year The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is marking 200 years of saving lives at sea in 2024, and the charity is inviting sailing clubs to celebrate with them. Posted on 9 Apr America's Cup and SailGP merge designs
Cost-saving measure will ensure that teams only have to purchase one type of boat In negotiations reminiscent of the PGA and LIV golf, an agreement has been come to by the America's Cup and SailGP to merge the design of the yachts used on the two high-profile circuits. Posted on 1 Apr Thirteen from Fourteen
Not races in a sprint series - we're talking years! Not races in a sprint series. We're talking years! Yes. That's over a decade. Bruce McCracken's Beneteau First 45, Ikon, has just won Division One of the Range Series on Melbourne's Port Phillip to amass this most brilliant of achievements. Posted on 27 Mar Sailing Chandlery's Founder Andrew Dowley
Interview with Andrew as the business has gone from strength to strength The business has gone from strength to strength, but never moved away from its ethos of getting sailing gear to the customer as fast as possible. Posted on 27 Mar Shaking off the rust
Sunday was what I'd count as the start of my 'sailing season' While I had sailed a couple of times already this year, Sunday was what I'd count as the start of my 'sailing season'. It's been a pretty grim February in the UK so the days getting longer and a bit drier is welcome. Posted on 18 Mar Remembering the early days of sailing races on TV
Finding old episodes on Youtube, starting with the Ultra 30s Do you remember when certain classes managed to make the breakthrough into television coverage, and have a whole series filmed, not just appear briefly on a single show? Posted on 17 Mar Winning at last!
How did the Firefly class come to be at the 1948 Olympics in the first place? We'll get into detail on Firefly 503, Jacaranda, later on but maybe an even bigger story is how the Firefly Class came to be at the Olympics in the first place. To put things into perspective we first have to go back even further to the early 1930s. Posted on 15 Mar The Maiden. A Triple. Four Bullets
I kind of like our Managing Editor's name for 18-footers: The Kings of the Lowriding World The JJ Giltinan Championship is often referred to as the unofficial World Championship of the mighty and majestic 18-Footers. I kind of like our Managing Editor's name for them – The Kings of the Lowriding World. Yes. That most definitely suits. Posted on 11 Mar Taking a look at the Nacra 570
We chat with Rogier Voetelink the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show The Nacra 570 is designed to bridge the gap between a holiday beach cat and a high performance catamaran, making exhilarating multihull sailing more accessible for those who don't want the hassle of a daggerboard cat. Posted on 6 Mar
Copyright 2024 YY Online Services Ltd. registered in England no. 7895890
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy