Israel Gear and Workflow Overview

It’s been two and a half years since my last international trip to Brazil. From global to personal, those two and a half years were filled with some life changing events – specifically COVID-19 and my retirement, but also some travel related changes. I’m using a new camera, a new phone, and a couple of new apps. And that means some changes to the gear and workflow I’ve been using for a while.

I mentioned in the Israel Day 1: DC to Tel Aviv post that this trip had been postponed from the spring of 2021 due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. COVID-19 changed how we travelled – from vaccination requirements to multiple PCR and antigen tests before and during the trip. But the good news is that were were able to travel and we were able to travel safely. Israel was just opening back up to tourism and in many of the locations we visited we were the only tourists around.

Travel Workflow!

So here is the Israel gear and workflow update. Every trip requires a carefully considered pack list that balances the demands of international shooting locations with the willingness (or ability!) to carry a certain amount of equipment. Despite the tension and hostility that seems to be always ongoing in Israel, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank, I felt comfortable traveling to Israel with photo gear.

As I did for Brazil, Southeast Asia, India, Cuba, Peru, South Africa, and Galapagos, here is an overview of the gear I carried to Israel followed by the photo and video workflows I used to handle the media files when I returned.

Israel Day 10: Tel Aviv to DC

Onboard United flight 85 from Tel Aviv to Newark

After a brisk week of touring in Israel we are on the way home. Because Israel is a relatively small country the time on the bus was minimal and each day was jam-packed with visits to numerous religious and archeological sites. We were never on the bus for more than twos hours at a time. Compare that to previous international tours with transfer days that required all-day bus trips to get from country to country or city to city. Maybe I’m getting older, or maybe I’m a little out of travel shape after a couple of years at home, but the fast-paced nature of this trip was very tiring. I’ll need a few days to rest and catch-up on sleep. But, as a recent retiree, no need to go to work tomorrow!

Israel Day 9: Tel Aviv

At sunset on the Mediterranean in Tel Aviv …

After a busy week of touring everyone is slowing down a little. Rotem gives us an extra hour to get ready in the morning. It’s Saturday in Israel and the Sabbath. Not many people on the streets and not much traffic so it’s easy to get around.

Our first order of business is COVID antigen testing for the return flight. Good news! The entire group is negative, so no quarantine stay necessary beyond our planned return.

Israel Day 8: Masada and The Dead Sea

On the bus to Tel Aviv …

We spent last night in the Negev Desert starting with dinner in Kfar Hanokdim and then speaking with a Bedouin man about life in his community and the transition away from a nomadic lifestyle. He misses the desert.

Israel Day 7: Jerusalem to Negev Desert

On the bus to the Negev Desert …

We begin the day on the Mount of Olives overlooking the Old City. From here we can see the Dome of the Rock in Temple Mount, the Western Wall, and the wall that surrounds the Old City. Rotem brings us here because it’s a great spot for a group photo and the photo that Donna, Mickey, and I take to commemorate each trip.