How to Wild Camp, for Photographers... (ft. Paul Messner)

Paul's video: • Wild Camping with a Ph...
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Wild Camping is brilliant for photography. Do it right, and you get 2 golden hours, 2 blue hours, and therefore hopefully lots of opportunity for great photos. In this video me and my cameras head out into the Peak District with Paul Messner so that I can learn how to do camping better, and about some of the gear I might benefit from!
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[@PaulMessner]

Excellent stuff James. You even edited it to make me sound intelligent 😂. Really good to get out despite the weather not allowing for too many photos. Looking forward to the next one ☝️

[@kerry5586]

The most important part of wild camping is for people to take their litter home with them. Drives me crazy that people come to the countryside for the beauty, but turn it into a rubbish dump. It looks terrible and is a danger to wildlife.

[@WhenLeeIsFree]

Fun. How the KZbin community works. I’d been watching you both separately and out of nowhere a collaborative video! Well done guys. Nice to see lateral support and collaboration.

[@Robertbacklun]

You two are making an amazing duo! Hope to see you both on more trips

[@evawettergren7492]

And now I remember why I loathe camping... but it was fun watching your struggles.

[@jcben]

Note for the future : a wind screen for the stove is a good addition to the bag ;)

[@supercraggle]

Or just buy a BruKit or Jetboil.

[@patmcdonnell7784]

just a little tin foil goes a long way and is super cheap.

[@michaelballinger6419]

Or use what's around a few rocks will help

[@tariqphoto]

i was hoping we'd see what you bought with you that made your bag so full!

[@twotone3070]

Me too.

[@AliasJimWirth]

Same here. One thing I thought of though, is that James has camera gear for still photography as well as for vlogging, and I think Paul maybe just has vlogging gear (without checking his channel first before commenting here). But, still...

[@leemacdonald6533]

Just Did my first couple of days wild camping in the west coast of Scotland last week, got some great shots. Bought the storm glow, can't wait to receive it. keep up the good work👍

[@joepalmer75]

What this video proves is that you can combine photography into another activity without having either suffer. Another great video and hope you get a better sleeping mat...they make a world of difference.

[@joetag5429]

Waking up in a fog. My normal state. Nice concept this week. As always, the music selection brings a grin. Thanks for bring us along.

[@loretagema9085]

I like the music you use in your videos, always listen to the end, like in the cinema! :)

[@outdoorslifestyle2900]

As a good mate of Paul's and a long term viewer of you these vids yous produced are great. Some stunning shots and timelapses too. Oh and the difference in equipment is like night and day but remember the lighter the weight the pricier the kit. Thanks for sharing, Steve

[@paulosullivan7197]

Wonderful matchmanship James!

[@nore8141]

When I go camping I always plan for the unexpected. It’s good to have a second opinion from Paul on how to lighten the load. Great video and commentary thanks.

[@scottseaton5546]

Your timing is amazing. I was just flicking between Paul and Thomas heatons channel for camping tips and photography packing solutions and bam, you rock up with the perfect blend. Bravo. Also, I filled a 65l bag too. Can’t all be perfect.

[@anndebaldo7381]

You and Paul make a great team! Thanks for a nice video - I will be a new sub and look forward to following your channel!

[@milesfromanywhere.]

Nicely filmed James, looked a cracking camp in a stunning spot. Loved the cloud time-lapse & photography. I've camped with Paul a few times, top lad. Atb mate, Dave

[@brianlaunchbury4491]

I've used nothing but Trangia cooking sets in that environment since the 1970's. The more the wind blows the harder it is to put them out! Stay safe (and please put "scary drop" in the title 🤣).

[@tjjubjub]

This video sums up my weekend, 2 nights in the Peak District and not a clear sky or ray of sun majority of the time haha. Makes photography a lot more challenging

[@sicmotherfako]

Perfect selection of beer.

[@joel.wuestehube]

A good start for cutting down wheigt would be not carrying a years supply of gas for the stove 😅

[@keithnisbet]

Hi James. I’ve done lots of light packing Canoe tripping in Algonquin Park. So I appreciated your burner issues and the weight challenges. My problem however is that just watching your mountain goat steps in the morning overlooking the tents gave me vertigo. Never been good with heights. Peak District looks beautiful though. One day when lockdowns are over I hope to do camp in either Peak District or Dartmoor. 👍🤞⛺️🍺🔥

[@fodsonmedia]

Bonus points for BrewDog, mate. One of my fav breweries for sure!

[@mfreider]

First it was mountain bike, now it is camping :) I think you choose a right path. Best wishes in your adventures! Love your shots!

[@stefanexplores]

*WHAT?! Apparently I wasn't subscribed to you. Well now I am. Love your stuff, my dude.*

[@scotsnomad7395]

Loved this perspective, I recently watched Paul’s vid about this outing, I love seeing the photography. I’m back out wild camping again, starting up a low key lo-fi channel as well, I’m only using my phone, that’s how basic it is, so if there’s any tips on event or night photography using a phone, i would be interested in any feedback or advice. Keep up the channel, lovely stuff on here, couldn’t stop giggling at you lightning that stove though lol , ATB 👍

[@garydiamondguitarist]

Ah that's why James is squinting all the time - protecting his face against the elements and one day the wind changed and it stayed like that 😂 Jokes aside, good wildphotoman survival guide.

[@Alan-DPhotos]

Two of my favourite vloggers in one of my favourite locations for hiking and photography. I can sleep well tonight :-)

[@chrisharperbpool]

Hey James, new to your channel, here because of Paul.. been watching his stuff for about a month or two.. learned sooo much. You and I have the same tent, and I can tell you, if you put it up right, have to taught enough it will withstand just about anything.. I've had it out twice in the past month in the middle of thunderstorms and not leaked once.. I carry a Nikon D850, a 28-300mm and a tamron 15-30mm lens around with me so your pack looked mini compared to my 80l monster.. I so need to get a lighter sleeping bag.. Stove guards are a must for me even with a jetboil, just save you so much faffing about :) Look forward to watching more of your stuff. take care..

[@Joshwaa_s]

Shockingly good timing. Literally off camping to Dorset next week 🤘🏽

[@andyblessett1282]

Great video, shows how important it is to get expert advice when going out into the wilds. It's a dangerous place if you don't know what you're doing. Cheers James.

[@HighlandMike325]

2.47 we have all been there... we feel your pain 😂

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

I suppose I couldn't get my Motorhome up there could I, but it does have a rather good cooker and roof... Great video.

[@iKeto_gal]

James, you should check out Kraig Adams (KZbin Hiker) for his amazing hiking videos... his recent ones are unique because unlike a lot of the other hiker youtubers, he doesn't speak. The visuals are stunning and it relaxes you. In his recent hike the trail is soooo BEAUTIFUL, it's photographers dream :)

[@TomLally]

nicely does it dude! Damn you've grown quite far! Well done to you. Something I keep telling myself to do. Peace and Love.

[@barrieanthony952]

Nice vid. I need to get out and camp

[@pattyandrews2902]

Please, please, please let KZbin know that we want to be able to choose to get e-mail notifications again. They turned them off with no notification - or at least I didn't get any notification it was going to happen. The only reason I found out you had two new videos was via an IG post from another channel I follow. Then I realized I was not getting notification e-mails from any channels I follow, including yours. I really enjoy your videos, and usually watch them really quickly after notification, but if I'm busy, I like the e-mail sitting in my inbox reminding me I haven't watched your newest video yet. Please send feedback to KZbin to turn e-mail notifications back on or at least give us the option to receive e-mail notifications instead of "push" notifications. Thank you and please keeping up the videos - I enjoy your sense of humor, and your view on photography as well.

[@neilthacker2069]

Kinda liked the rock formations in the fog...a missed photo there perhaps :) ? An interesting landscape,what we saw anyway!

[@TimFromWales]

Brilliant - I’m no expert in camping but you made me feel like an expert. Please can do a series of “making Tim feel like an expert” videos - can I suggest mixed martial arts, free climbing and knitting. Thanks 🙏🏼

[@westr70]

Two of my favorite people! Nice job.

[@SteveP_2426]

Love camping but not tried Wild Camping yet! Hoping to reschedule my cancelled May trip to Skey for next year and was thinking of giving it a go...well for some nights...I do like a nice hot shower before I get into my sleeping bag...soft southerner!!

[@flosse89]

Really enjoyed this video! It brought back a lot of fun memories because I was in the Peak District a few weeks ago and was told about that bearded vulture as well (didn’t see a trace of it though).

[@StephenBell_video]

Brilliant, love seeing the heather in bloom as well. 70L for a night of camping? Why not!

[@kensutton6306]

Very fun Video. Thanks, Paul had the best info, checking him out.

[@josephcole3187]

It’s like watching an indoor cat venture out into the world...good fun though. I hope you are able to get out more it really does open up new opportunities.

[@diotough]

You should use a windshield with your cooker ...

[@Orbs081]

Great Video James. I follow you and Paul on KZbin been thinking of trying some Wild camping. Atm I own a Lumix gx8 would the G9 be a big upgrade photo wise please ?

[@MSmith-Photography]

For those that camp out and watch Steve Wallis' channel, setting up shelters is step #1 and beers are step #2.

[@Photosbytw]

I'm sorry I couldn't post earlier............but every time I tried I couldn't keep from laughing..............Oh brother JP!

[@kierandaniels9374]

Im so jealous its been ages since I've managed to get out camping i was planning to do the west highland way in april but darn covid put a stop to that. Great video as usual

[@broken12367]

Great stuff 🐑

[@danielhenzphotography]

James' biggest enemy: WIND🌬️ At least some sheeps.

[@andyblessett1282]

Isn't that a problem with a lot of people 😁

[@iankellam6440]

Well, that was different. Definitely get a windguard for the gas stove. Or a Primus. Heavy but easy to light.

[@lylestavast7652]

the bonus advantage of camping under rock overhangs like that is, should they collapse on you in your sleep - both tent and you will fit nicely inside a 70l backpack. #packoutyourtrash

[@arcana1973]

James, perhaps you need to look at the Ultralight sub Reddit for some tips on how to lighten your pack weight.

[@JDB269]

Great video James - where did you camp?

[@benjaminthorpe7990]

You’re lucky. Tried this last week and immediately got drenched for two days and nights. Needless to say my camera never made it out of the safety of my camera bag... 😭

[@GeneWaddle]

I'm not sure if those were 🐑 or 🐐s but either way, they saved the day. 👍🦆 Okay, I looked again and they are goats. Close enough.

[@timcorso6337]

Nope! They are sheep that have been shorn

[@donmiller2810]

Found yah throu Paul's channel looks beautiful

[@rigbyUnbound]

great video from the other side ;) loved the 'godFingers' photo.. hopefully Paul hinted towards getting a miniBic lighter or a ferro rod (lightMyFire is a safe bet) for your gas burner also from's Paul's video i noticed you have an attachment to hold your rode Go's when not using one as a lavier.. could you link that? cheers

[@sander5086]

After 12 minutes we still don't know, why your bag was twice as heavy :) At least we had some sheep at the end!!

[@TheMountainMatt]

Pretty sure I saw a tripod by that beer James😉

[@mikkelstormhansen9733]

Hello, nice video

[@markkent294]

Great video. Can I recommend a cheap upgrade? Bin the matches and buy a fire-steel.

[@JoeMaranophotography]

It's all about a campervan/motorhome imo spend too much of my life in harbour areas under a poncho and never again 😂

[@McLysne]

Can’t recommend enough to use a firesteel instead of matches. Forever lasting and still functioning when wet and lightweight. Soaked matches are useless.

[@grahvis]

Taking one large box could be an especially big mistake, taking 2 or 3 small boxes seperately wrapped would be better, if you are going to use them.

[@paulcunninghamw00dlandph0t0]

Superb video!

[@peternickols2687]

Great video James. What was the location in the Peak District?

[@adamnash2009]

Can I recommend a soto amicus camp stove? Excellent wind performance!!

[@cristibaluta]

I protect the match with my hands for few seconds, then when the fire is strong enough i open the gas and light it, no need to waste the gas. Works almost every time.

[@knkjkjn]

Why not to just use the lighter tho?

[@EminenceFrontX5]

Great vlog. I thought you were more of a camper to be honest. RockOn

[@orphanuprising]

Can we get a link for his sleeping pad?

[@davemorrison3705]

Was this at surprise view? I was there last month as its the darkest location close to me. Will you ever do an astrophotography video?

[@DirtDigglerDetecting]

You Camping is very Entertaining LOL

[@sava3989]

Great video

[@xxOzzie63xx]

James, watched Pauls video too, really good to see the both of you in a video together. Question, in Pauls video at 12:27, you have a Rode Wireless GO Microphone System set up, can you tell me the rig you used to attach both of the mics together on top of your camera? It looks like something I will like to use with my Rode Wireless GO and my Lumix G90. Many thanks. great video as usual, both me and my wife watch your videos, love the way you describe your photography.

[@TonyHobbs]

Funny watching this video which I saw after watching pm and find you in comments 😅

[@elcarpo8339]

Is Paul Messner the lost Brother of Reinhold Messner who saw the Yeti in the Himalaya? ;)

[@vOCesUGa1]

Ouch, that was painful

[@robertnelson3179]

At least there was the sheepies beautiful rock formations

[@RicoResolves]

As a guy with IBS, my first thought when thinking or hearing about camping in the wild is: "Where can I take a dump?" :').

[@danielhenzphotography]

That is allways my greatest fear if I go camping

[@martinjplant]

Carry a trowel and dig a hole. Take your paper home.

[@reyrey2971]

meatballs and pasta doesn't count as a pasta cooking video James, still waiting on that one.

[@TerraPosse]

You sure the fog wasn't just your brain being all fuzzy with the after effects of the crafty beers?! ;-)

[@d_ginger_ninja616]

Do u have a vango Sabre 300 James

[@casperghst42]

Camping, fresh air, no people, nature, it’s the best. For Photography and Camping, have a look at Morten Hilmer’s channel - he takes things to a new level.

[@cwetfeet]

I'd be interested in seeing the camera gear you bring when camping.

[@oneeyedphotographer]

More or less the regular stuff listed under the video I would think.

[@DirtDigglerDetecting]

Camping with some kind of booze is a must. :) Cheers Mate

[@wayneashton]

hi-de-hi campers!

[@robinsmith6847]

"a bearded vulture" We all know he was stalking "a bearded popsys" 😂

[@JS2Tango]

Worlds collide

[@MLG_s3npa1]

Hitchiking with about ten kilos worth of glass, camera and bipod on your back is really one of the great pains of being a nature photographer myself. Then there's all the food and camping gear. Feels like i'm in a army bootcamp or something when i have hills to climb with that sack of sins. And another pain is that i'm such a stubborn bastard that i won't leave any gear behind 'just in case'.

[@oneeyedphotographer]

G9 kit isn't that heavy.

[@AlisterPollock]

Wild camping is illegal just abut everywhere in England though?

[@beewisebeestronger6224]

Peak District is a national park and wild camping is permitted due to some old law, not allowed near roads , pathways or other places however and there's other rules like rubbish and landscaping that must be adhered to etc

[@ciarancosgrave]

Eh.. Why not go to lee side of the rock outcrop. Just saying....

[@AoyagiAichou]

Should have brought a Karrimor "alpine stove" instead of that Coleman rubbish! Wind protection and can burn through steel beams. Then again, that wouldn't be as fun to watch. Too bad the wather didn't work out though. You need to plan in secret next time so that the weather doesn't know you're going out. By the way, what's happened to that G90? I would have thought it's a direct upgrade from your G80 (which shouldn't be a problem if you're still a Panalad or whatever they call people promoting their products).

[@oneeyedphotographer]

I was wondering about the gear list too.

[@freequest]

A Comment.

[@Semjasa616]

*if you are in a country where wild camping is legal. Which it is not in Austria. Really not great.

[@wojtekw6040]

Did Emily kick You out ?

[@DavidSenteno]

I'd rather be Glamping. 😁

[@JohnsJunk]

#1 your tent is to big. Cheap ones that work well and fit you and only you and maybe your boots can be had for less than $100 US. Mine weighs just over a kilo. #2 carry a cigarette lighter. They make fancy electric ones that don't blow out but I'm an old fashioned 'flick my Bic' guy. #3 sleeping pad, what Paul said. My sleeping pad is very light but quite large which is annoying. It's fun seeing you struggling and learning. We've all been there or will be if we're doing life correctly.

[@pixlplague]

Beer makes everything work better: camping, hiking, weddings (especially other people's), not being able to light a stove, coffee, therapy, driving. Well no, maybe not driving. But definitely the therapy, although my therapist really frowns on it for some reason.

[@tinytrekkervlogs]

Just subbed, awesome channel. Im a photographer and filmmaker. Latest film is hiking up the Skirrid. Would you be interested in a colab at all?