Inside My Camera Bag | Lizzie Shepherd

I’m Lizzie Shepherd, a UK based landscape photographer, living in North Yorkshire. I love photographing the landscape in all its guises, particularly intimate and more abstract details and some of the more hidden scenes.

Although I am particularly drawn to the natural world, I also enjoy urban landscapes. I’m probably best known for my quieter images, typically with fairly muted colours and soft tones.

I run small group workshops, both here in the UK and further afield in Europe. I’ve been doing these for around seven years now and love this side of my business – it’s a real privilege to have met and gotten to know so many wonderful photographers, and I’m a firm believer that none of us should ever stop learning.

I’m very proud to be an ambassador for both Lee Filters and Fotospeed. The support of the former has been invaluable for my workshops and I love working with Fotospeed’s wonderful fine art papers. I’ve been printing my own work for many years and have a permanent display of framed prints at the Joe Cornish Gallery in Northallerton, North Yorkshire. I’ve also exhibited at a number of other venues across the UK.

I also really enjoy talking about my work at camera clubs and photography events and I write for a number of different magazines. I’m currently working on a Fotovue photography guide to the Yorkshire Dales, which is planned for publication next year.

In terms of camera gear, I’ve been using the Sony A7R Mark II for about three and a half years now. It’s a camera that feels very comfortable in my hands – such an important factor – but even more important is the wonderful Sony sensor. I just love the colours and tones it can produce and it’s not something I’ve been able to replicate with other cameras.

For the first time in ages, I’m using a utility zoom lens, in the form of the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 lens – it’s a fantastic all-round option and invaluable for travel.

That said, I do love using prime lenses and there is a fantastic selection available now – particularly those from Zeiss and Voigtlander. I’ll always have one or two in my bag, depending on what I am shooting. I have to mention the Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 lens, as well as the Voigtlander 110mm f/2.5 Macro Apo-Lanthar. These are the best two lenses I have ever used – the detail they capture is amazing, they render subjects beautifully and they are incredibly well corrected.

A final mention for my camera backpack: I’ve been using the Shimoda Explore 60 for nearly 18 months now and have been so impressed with how comfortable it is, particularly with the new female-specific straps. I do a fair bit of walking with my photography, quite often on steep terrain, so a functional and comfortable pack is vital. I plan to get the Explore 30 as well.

The key components of my camera gear are photographed above and listed below. I’d never take all of these with me at one time, but they all have their place.

Shimoda Explore 60 backpack
Gitzo GT2543L Mountaineer Series 2 Long tripod
Acratech GP ballhead with lever clamp
Sony A7R Mark II camera with Markins L bracket
Sony RM-VPR1 remote cable release
Spare batteries – plenty
Sony FE 24-105mm f/4
Laowa FE 15mm f/2
Zeiss Loxia 21mm f/2.8
Voigtlander FE 40mm f/1.2
Voigtlander FE 110mm f/2.5 Macro Apo-Lanthar
Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8
Lee Filter holder, adapters, landscape polarising filter and assorted ND filters
Sigma Achromatic close up filter
Kneeling pad and reflectors
Viewcatcher – plastic framing device