Packing and carrying equipment is probably the biggest difficulty in taking travel photographs. I almost always use a tripod, which is not easy to pack. I carry a very big suitcase no matter how long I will be away, placing my tripod in diagonally with clothes packed around it. After I arrive, I carry the tripod in a bag slung over my shoulder. This has the unfortunate appearance of carrying a rifle in public, but nobody has said anything about it yet.

I put my camera equipment into a small backpack and carry it on the plane. Unless I am going to photograph wildlife, I rarely bring my longest lens, which is a real monster and requires a backpack all its own. For most travel photography, I find that the "normal" range (my 28-70mm zoom) covers the vast majority of my subjects, and a longer lens is not required, anyway. I also carry my film in the same backpack. X-rays used to scan checked luggage can destroy film, so packing it with the tripod is not an option. I carry about four rolls of film for each day I will be away, and typically shoot about half that.