We all have the gear that needs to be charged nightly. Phones, Watches, Earpods

I am always looking for the latest tech on these, and what is best for travel. These products are what I use, and recco highly.

The New Anker Prime Qi2.2 foldable magsafe folding charger has it all.

This compact folding set-up is mag safe, has super fast charging, and has taken some weight out of the bag.

I always put my phone on one of these as a clock and alarm clock, charge the watch as I sleep and give the ear pods some juice, so you wake up fully charged. The watch charger base pops out from the main body, once the unit is unfolded

It is always a matter of design and how each one of these items fit on the charger.

Anker figured it out, and all fits just right.

This one is the latest and greatest.It’s not a battery, and uses USB-C to power up.

Going international? The Anker Nano Travel Adapter  

This multi plug adaptor not only has all the prong types you need, but it’s super small.

And has 2 USB-C ports.

Remember it’s not a voltage transformer,  just the plugs.

Of course, I pack a Plug Bug from Twelve South  with 4 outlets to keep everything plugged in. Plus, it is a tracker, so when it’s in your suitcase, you can see it’s journey with Find My. Each port does have a diff power output.

Speaking of trackers, I’ve been looking at these for years, and while AirTags are the apparent leader, Rolling Square AirCard Pro is a credit card size rechargeable tracker, that is not only super thin, but it also has great battery life. It has a 12-month runtime per charge.

It’s a wireless charge capability, and I’ve found that by laying it flat on a charging unit is best.

The did add a QR code that you can customize with your contacts in case a lost bag is found.

Fits in your wallet or whatever bag you’re using.Maybe 2 credit cards thick.

Works with “Find My”

Although to be honest, I use a variety of trackers and double up on them for safety.

And for the card reader for travel, I use the Delkin dual if I’m only bringing one:

If i’m at the office, or bring 2, the OWC Atlas CFExpress reader is the call for overall speed with the CF cards

It’s a constantly evolving category of products, and I’ll keep updating as improvements come out.

Summertime, travel time.

In my life in production, there have been incredible locations for filming, that may not have the finest accommodations nearby.

Anything for the shot, right?

There are some products out there that help keep the germination down, and at the very least, let you know when to take some extra care.

First up is my new favorite toothbrush, the Tao Clean Sonic Toothbrush.

There are a few reasons I now swear by this this toothbrush, and here are just a few:

Superior teeth cleaning

Long lasting battery life

UV cleaning light in the base.

And a very important thing for me: No gunk accumulation in the base due to the upside-down storage/charging!

I went from Sonicare to Oral-B, back to Sonicare and now TAO Clean Sonic Toothbrush FTW.

They also have a travel base which continues your germ elimination up to 99.9%. Much smaller and battery powered.

Next up is the OLight ArkPro Ultra Flashlight. The design itself is unique, as in flat, has all the features like wide angle, spotlight, 23 diff intensities, a laser pointer, charges up with a built-in long-lasting battery, and honestly, one of my favorite features is the UV light.

At first, I had no use for it.

Lets get to the hygiene part:

I pointed it at my keyboard and was fully grossed out. After a wipe, it was clean.

Now, you don’t have to get all crime scene on it but a quick look at your tray table, and then the bedding in your hotel with this light, can either start or prevent the heebie – jeebies.

Have a look, starting at 1:33

Another product I use at the office and on the road for cleaning screens is Whoosh.  Check out the whole product line,

Great cleaner, and all screens can use it. I pop the small pump bottle into my tech pouch before every trip, while the larger bottle stays next to the monitors.

And not what I use on lenses, to be clear. I use a LensPen for that.

Another  standard in my day bag, and suitcase are these:

Dude wipes are the personal Hygiene single use wipes to be really clean. We all have a use for these.

Then I always put a pack of Cottonelle wipes in the travel kit.

Whether you are wiping down that tray table, or a quick run through in your hotel, it’s good to be clean. Also good for bathroom needs.

Just a few items to give you a little bit better protection from the germs.

I will say that when the location calls for basic accommodations, get the great shot in the perfect light, and keep your mind free from germ stress!

National Geographic has always had a gift for making history feel immediate. A new 3 part series premieres on NatGeo, on July 22, and the next day on Disney+, and Hulu. It’s called Pompeii-Out Of Time

This series revisits one of history’s greatest disasters—the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD—but instead of simply telling the story, it asks a fascinating question:

Did anyone actually survive?

Guiding viewers through the mystery is actor Tom Hiddleston, whose lifelong fascination with Pompeii began when he first visited the archaeological site as a teenager.

An archive photograph of Tom Hiddleston at age 17, standing on top of Mount Vesuvius, during his first trip to Pompeii and Herculaneum with friends in 1998. (Anthony Bowles)

Throughout the series, Hiddleston becomes part historian, part detective, following the archaeological evidence as he pieces together the lives of those caught in the eruption.

Tom Hiddleston examines a pinboard with clues as to how the events at Pompeii unfolded after the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. (National Geographic/Christian Black)

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It is a constant search. And the choices are always changing. Here are 3 options:

For a flash mainly for walk around fill, used primarily with a Fuji X100V, the Godox it30pro became a standard in my bag for 2 reasons:
The compact size matched the camera profile. Here it’s shown with the optional riser to move it off the camera body and angle it Continue Reading »

It’s that time!!

Whether is a local display, or a city rooftop viewpoint, you can get some amazing shots of the fireworks! Tips on the best ways to get the shots you’ll remember, below.

What is it about fireworks that draws us close, cause us to emit uncontrollable ooohs and ahhhhs, and brings a group experience unlike any other? That shared , almost primal feeling of amazement at seeing those colored explosives, bursting in air, and the crescendo of the finale, is an experience like no other. Continue Reading »