The TRAVELER'S JOURNAL: August sixth, with tips on taking pictures in the woods.

Leave only footprints, take only memories: that's the wilderness watchword. Here's another for travelers whose wilderness memory-making involves a camera. Whether traveling by raft, canoe, horse, or foot, when taking pictures in the back country, you better have all the equipment you need with you and it better not break.

Sounds simple, but it can be hard to do. It's more than just carrying plemty of film and extra batteries. Serious shutter bugs will require more sophisticated equipment, including various lenses, filters, a cable release, tripod, and a lens cleaning kit.

Yet, all that gear not withstanding, the most important "equipment" is still the photographer. Take care of yourself. If you're hiking, remember that weight is a crucial factor. Having the right gear won't do any good if its bulk keeps you from reaching your goal. Leave heavy motordrives and flash units at home. They're no use for most scenery and hiking shots anyway. But do take lots of re-sealable plastic bags to protect everything from dirt and water. Packing to protect gear from serious knocks, bumps, or water is especially important when you are traveling by boat or pack animal.

If photography is the primary purpose of your trip, plan a conservative itinerary. Don't try to travel too far in a day and leave plenty of time to take pictures. Start looking for a campsite early, ideally one that offers good views at sunset or sunrise, the time when the natural light is best.

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