Benjamin Trickey (@benjamin.trickey) is a landscape, adventure and travel photographer based in Australia. "My work is inspired by nature and the beauty of our planet and my goal is to highlight the immense grandeur of our natural world," he says. "My gear allows me to do this without limits and enhances my creativity by providing me with infinite possibilities while on location." We connected with him to learn more about the gear that he relies on for his photography. Keep reading to learn about his Sony Alpha camera and G-Master lens kit.

Product Preview – In This Article You'll Find:
–Sony Alpha 7R IV
–Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master
–Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master
–Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master

Camera

Sony Alpha 7R IV: My Sony Alpha 7R IV has been a game changer for me since upgrading from a Canon DSLR. I decided to switch because I was after a higher resolution full frame camera with better dynamic range, I had an entry level Canon that had a low MP count and was not great for printing out large or for use in professional work. Sony had the most competitive price and in my opinion, the best product! It allows me to shoot super high resolution images with incredible dynamic range. It has great autofocus with a sturdy but lightweight build which enables me to take it on long hikes through the rainforest and mountains with ease.

Photo by Benjamin Trickey. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/5-sec., f/16, ISO 50

High dynamic range is very important in landscape photography as often I am shooting in very low light conditions. Often there are very bright points (e.g during sunrise) where the sky is illuminating bright whereas the foreground and landscape is still very dark in shadow. So having the incredible dynamic range that the Alpha 7R IV has allows me to have rich highlights while maintaining the shadows and depth in the image. Basically it just means how far the brightest spots in your image can vary from the darkest spots of your image. Similarly with the autofocus, it is very reliable even in low light conditions and is super responsive, meaning I won't miss a fleeting moment as the camera is always ready to go. This is so important with adventure and landscape photography where mere moments determine whether or not you get the shot you want.

Photo by Benjamin Trickey. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master. 30-sec., f/2.8, ISO 1250

Lenses

Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master: The ultimate wide angle lens allowing me to get up close and personal with foreground matter to frame a subject and create depth. This lens allowed me to capture the environment around Mount Cook, showcasing the epic turquoise glacial lake and icebergs. The rocks in the foreground add that needed balance to the image. The sharpness of this lens is incredible and that f/2.8 aperture allows me to use it for astro photography shoots as well.

Photo by Benjamin Trickey. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master. 5-sec., f/5.6, ISO 100

Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master: This is an important lens in my bag, it allows me to capture more intimate scenes while having the option to still shoot wide making it extremely versatile. This lens is great for vast mountainscapes while keeping subjects closer to what your eyes see. This is also my go to lens in challenging environments because of its versatility, I am less likely to change lenses and expose my sensor to dust or any extreme weather conditions while using this.

Photo by Benjamin Trickey. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 2/5-sec., f/7.1, ISO 400

Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master: Possibly my favorite lens, allowing me to photograph very intimate and sharp scenes with ease. Telephoto lenses are great for compression and showcasing the scale of locations. It captured this serene sunrise in Mount Cook National Park, emphasizing the grandeur of the mountain and its surrounding environment. Along with framing distant mountain layers and finding intricate details of our natural landscape, this telephoto lens allows me to be handheld at sunrise. Its wide f 2.8 aperture is key in fleeting moments where the clock is ticking, allowing me to prepare for times when the light you want only lasts for 10-20 seconds.

Photo by Benjamin Trickey. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/160-sec., f/6.3, ISO 160

I went for an all G Master lens setup as the sharpness and quality of image is unmatched. This is very important for me as I print lots of my images large for clients and galleries, so a quality lens and camera setup is essential.

Accessories

LowePro PROTACTIC 350 AW M2 Backpack: Essential for carrying all of my gear around with me while on location. It has many storage compartments and storage pockets which is great for filters and extras.

Nisi ND filters: for cutting down light and allowing longer exposures during brighter conditions. (ND 8, ND 64, ND 1000)

Polarizers: For reducing glare and creating better color contrast.

Personal locator beacon: As I do a lot of adventure photography a personal locator beacon is an essential. I have photographed in many remote and difficult to access locations. Australia and Tasmania in particular, have intense weather systems, sudden torrential rain or snow in winter and blistering heat or bushfires in summer. Along with the risk of deep forest exploration with deadly wildlife such as highly venomous snakes etc. A PLB helps me feel fully prepared. It’s a small essential item to carry incase of emergency, and it could one day save your life.

Photo by Benjamin Trickey. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/5-sec., f/14, ISO 50

Air Brush: To clean dust off of gear and lens.

Lens Cloth: To polish filters and keep everything clean.

Backup SD Cards: You never know when you will need a backup but you will always be thankful for it out in the field!

Backup Camera Battery: I have no complaints regarding the battery life in my camera, nonetheless, this is a big one as it allows you to not worry about battery life and be immersed in the moment. The last thing you want is to be on location and unable to get a shot because your camera has died! Plus its barely extra weight, the batteries are lite!

Lens Hoods (In Harsh Light): These are really good at reducing unwanted glare or extra light sources mainly during the day or with harsh light.

Photo by Benjamin Trickey. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/5-sec., f/8, ISO 50

Plenty Of Water: Always got to stay hydrated in the field.

Small Snacks: Refueling out in the field is very important to get you through the day

Waders (Depending On Shoot): If I am doing a rainforest/waterfall shoot I sometimes bring waders if I know i'm going to be in freezing water above knee height to help stay warm and dry.

Manfrotto Befree ADVANCED LEVER 8KG Tripod: A tripod is essential for long exposure photography and for very low light scenarios. This is a great lightweight but sturdy tripod which is great for hiking and travel.

Elastic bands: Never want to run into a jammed or stuck filter on your camera in a time sensitive situation! Always have these in your bag as a backup in case you cannot change a filter.

Photo by Benjamin Trickey. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master. 2-sec., f/8, ISO 100

Rain Cover: I cover a proper rain cover for my camera to protect it during heavy rain and severe weather. Or when I am doing extreme seascapes or waterfall photography where big waves and water can hit me and the camera.

Head Torch: Hiking back after sunset through rugged deep forests and mountain areas is quite dangerous without a guiding light, so I make sure my head torch and spare batteries are with me at all times.

See more of Benjamin Trickey’s work on Instagram @benjamin.trickey.