Camera bags aren’t the most exciting area of photography, but nevertheless, the function they carry out is one of the most important to any photographer on the move.

Without a camera bag that meets our needs, our equipment would be difficult to transport from location to location, it would be exposed to the elements, susceptible to damage and at risk of being stolen.

Before making a purchase, it’s important to properly consider your specific requirements. One way to do this is to ask yourself a number of questions about what you really need from a camera bag.

Here are the sorts of questions I would ask:

• Does the design of the bag allow me to get equipment out of the bag for shooting in a reasonably short period of time?
• How much equipment can the bag hold?
• Does the bag have separate compartments to hold food, clothing and other non-photography items?
• Can a tripod be carried with the bag?
• How is the bag carried and will it be comfortable over long periods?
• How secure are the compartments?
• How well padded is the bag?
• How comfortable is the bag over extended periods of use?
• Can the bag carry a laptop?
• Is the bag waterproof?
• Does the bag look like it holds expensive camera equipment?
• What’s my budget?

My own preference is to use one of two separate camera bags, depending on the situation. One is a small shoulder bag capable of carry an SLR body with lens mounted, a separate lens and a flashgun. This type of bag is ideal for occasions where I want to keep my equipment low-key.

My other bag is a rucksack, big enough to carry enough gear for a variety of different shoots, but discreet enough to avoid attracting unwanted attention. The beauty of these types of camera bags is that they appear just like ordinary rucksacks unlike some of the more traditional designs which broadcast the presence of expensive photographic equipment.

Whilst there may not be any such thing as a camera bag for all occasions, knowing where your main photographic interest lies and asking yourself relevant questions before buying a bag can help you make the right choice for you.