Perhaps you're a photographer who likes to drive an established trail, jump out of their car, snap a few photos, and move on. That is fine; many people find the ride and scenery as much or more enjoyable than the act of taking photos.

However if you plan on staying a great deal of time outside, intricately planning your photos, make sure you prepare for the elements. Especially in mountainous areas the temperature and wind conditions can drastically change as you gain elevation, turning a 50 degree day in the valley into a freezing afternoon on the hills. Here's just some of what you should bring:

* An extra jacket or coat as you may need to briefly dress in layers as you enter the coldest temperatures.

* Gloves to warm up your hands while you scout locations for photos. You may want to bring along an extra pair of thinner gloves that, while they won't completely protect you from the cold, will allow some level of comfort yet allow you to press small digital camera buttons.

* Boots - fallen leaves absorb a lot of water, making the ground very slippery after a rainstorm or near creeks, streams, or waterfalls.

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