What’s in my camera bag – Lívia Czank

In January, I purchased an OM-3 body and an M.Zuiko 40–150mm f/2.8 PRO lens. At the same time, my favorite Olympus PEN-F body is always with me as well, paired with my equally beloved M.Zuiko 75mm f/1.8 lens. For flower photography, both lenses are incredibly easy to use, and I can create beautiful images with them.

I don’t like carrying a lot of gear, especially when I’m just going for a relaxed walk and some casual shooting. I’m the kind of photographer who simply slings a camera around their neck and heads out. I don’t always think in complex setups. That said, there are also days when I deliberately pack multiple lenses because I know I’m going somewhere full of great photo opportunities.

In my backpack, besides my cameras and lenses, I usually carry my iPad. It’s compatible with my cameras, so I can easily transfer RAW images onto it. I enjoy sitting down in a café and editing my photos with the Apple Pencil as a way to relax.

I also keep a notebook with me to jot down ideas that come to mind along the way. I often think about new editing techniques or more complex creative concepts, and it helps to write everything down.

My headphones are something I never leave behind. There are certain albums I love listening to while photographing flowers, like Unreal Unearth by Hozier and Folklore by Taylor Swift. They simply set the perfect mood for shooting.

Over the years, I’ve learned that if I don’t drink enough fluids while photographing, my mind gets tired and I lose focus. So I always carry a water bottle with me.

The OM System gear is so practical because it’s incredibly lightweight, and the lenses are compact, yet they deliver stunning results. I’ve often been asked, “You shoot with just this?” I always say yes, but I also tell people not to underestimate my setup. The surprise always comes when I show what it can do.

It’s also important to me to truly love my camera. I have a special connection with the PEN-F body that I haven’t experienced with anything else. I love holding it, I love its black-and-white mode, and I adore its design. The OM-3 body is excellent as well, but the PEN-F will always come first for me.

The M.Zuiko 40–150mm f/2.8 PRO is a larger and heavier lens, but it’s absolutely worth working with. This spring, I set aside my M.Zuiko 90mm f/3.5 macro lens for a while because I really enjoyed the possibilities that the zoom offers. Often, a beautiful flower is quite far away, yet it’s bathed in the most perfect light. With this lens, capturing it was no longer an impossible task. Though it does come with a bit of neck soreness. 🙂

Overall, I hope it’s visible in my flower photos how much I love this subject, and that my heart and soul are truly in them. I trust my OM System gear completely, it has never let me down. After years of shooting macro flower photography, it felt refreshing to try something new. I experimented with compositions, played with shadows, and what I especially enjoyed recently was creating blurred flower images using long exposure. These have become my favorite shots from this spring season.

Lívia Czank