How the iPhone helped a travel photographer lighten his load

Swee Ong is a Singaporean travel photographer who has had his work published in National Geographic.

As a self-funded photographer, Ong backpacks around the world, documenting his travels via photography. His trips can last anywhere from a week to three months at a time, affecting the camera equipment that he carries around with him.

For now, his camera bag holds a total of eight essential gear, including a DSLR, different lenses, a GoPro and a Macbook.

Ong recently added an iPhone 6S Plus to his camera bag and credits the new addition to helping lighten his load.

"I've found the iPhone excellent for street photography, and is now my main go-to camera for that genre," Ong tells Mashable. "The introduction of the iPhone did change some of my shoot gear, and thus my packing style."

According to Ong, "selective packing" is a necessary skill for any travel photographer.

"It's an urge to bring everything you have as you worry about not having the right lens or equipment for the shot," he says. "But I find that carrying too heavy a load tires me out and affects my thinking."

Here are some of the pictures Ong captured on his iPhone 6S Plus: