10+ Cool Accessories Every Photographer Wants

by Nancy Messieh on Sep. 20th, 2010

When you’re passionate about photography, whether you’re taking photos with a heavy duty SLR or with your phone, there are a few accessories here or there that you’re probably dying to get.








1. Gorillapod                                                                                                        
The Gorillapod needs no introduction and should be in every photographer’s kit. The flexible tripod can attach itself to just about any surface, making it easy to get the exact photo that you want. And there’s a whole line of Gorillapod’s available, that can take anywhere from 325g to 5kg, so no matter what kind of camera you use, whether a small point and shoot, or a huge SLR sporting a telephoto lens – you’ll find what you’re looking for. There’s even a Gorillapod made especially for the iPhone 3G and 3GS.

2. Portable lighting studio                                                                                         

Okay, so maybe you won’t need a portable lighting studio if you’re taking photos with your phone, but who’s to say you can’t. Using this on-the-go studio will ensure that you always have the perfect lighting and perfect backrop, no matter where you are.

3. ShutterBuddy                                                                                                 .
If you have a hard time getting your baby to look at the camera, ShutterBuddy will remedy the problem. Stick your camera inside this and you’ll get their attention in no time. ShutterBuddy is made to fit point and shoot cameras.

If you’re using an SLR or want a simpler alternative, check out the Lens Pets available on Etsy. Simply slip the Lens Pet around your lens and you’ll be snapping away pictures of your little ones in no time.

For the dSLR user, there are a few amazing accessories that can take your photography, or even film-making, to another level.

4.Nano DSLR Rig                                                                              .

Using your own body to steady the camera, the Nano DSLR Rig can turn your DSLR camera into the ultimate movie-making machine, as well as give you all the options you need to brace your camera for the perfect photo. The flexibility of the rig opens up a world of different possibilities on how it can be used.

5.Lensbaby Lenses                                                             

If you have your standard DSLR lenses and are looking for something different, the Lensbaby line of lenses has a little something for everyone. Lensbaby offers three different lenses, each suited to a different kind of photographer. Each lens is used in a different way and produces a different stylistic effect. Check out their photographer’s gallery to decide which one is right for you. Lensbaby lenses are compatible with Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax and 4/3′s mount SLR cameras.

6.Cloak Bag                                                                     

Whether it’s for discreet shooting, to protect your camera from the elements, or even wanting a quick and easy way to shoot a photographer before it passes you by, the Cloak Bag will come in handy. And the fashion conscious photographer will probably appreciate the fact that it’s a camera bag that doesn’t look like a camera bag.

7.Gigtube Instant Digital Screen Remote Viewfinder         

Want to get your camera up close but trigger the shutter from a distance? The Gigtube Instant Digital Screen Remote Viewfinder allows you to do just that. See what’s in your viewfinder using the remote wireless LCD screen, and trigger the shutter when the time is right. Taking photos from a high angle or self portraits are just a couple of ways the LCD screen will come in handy. The Digital Viewfinder is compatible with specific Canon, Nikon and Olympus models. There’s also a wireless model if you need to put more distance between you and your camera.

There’s a large group of photographers who have dedicated themselves to taking the best photos possible using their iPhones. Here are a few accessories that could come in handy.

8.Fish-Eye Lens                                                                  

With a magnetic mount, simply attach the Fish-Eye Lens to your iPhone and you can easily achieve the fish-eye effect in your photos. And because it’s detachable, the lens can be used with pretty much any cell phone, not just the iPhone. While you’re at it, why not get the Wide Angle & Macro and Super Macro lenses.

9.ZGrip                                                                                   

ZGrip iPhone Pro gives you an easy and steady way to control your iPhone when shooting pictures, or even videos. ZGrip is compatible with the iPhone 3G, 3GS and 4. Don’t forget, if you don’t need to be holding the iPhone, and just need to steady it using a tripod, the iPhone Gorillapod, compatible with the 3G and 3GS, is another great option.

10.Beamer                                                                              

While the iPhone 4 comes equipped with an LED flash, its predecessors don’t. The easiest way to remedy this is to use the Beamer, an iPhone case with a built-in LED flash.

What are your favourite photography accessories? Let us know in the comments.

Shooting with an In Camera Flash

Has anyone noticed how there has been a real anti-flash vibe going around recently in the digital photography sphere? I’m seeing it in books, websites, forums and even from manufacturers of cameras themselves with the recent release of loads of cameras that would rather push ISO up very high than use a flash

While I would totally agree that flash photography can blow out a shot with it’s harsh light – there are times where there’s no getting around using it and where (when used correctly) it can actually ‘make’ a shot.

My preference with flash photography is to have dedicated flash that is either on a hotshoe, flash bracket or off camera – however there are plenty of times when all you’ve got at your disposal is the in camera flash. 99% of all cameras have them – so perhaps it’s time we thought about how to get the best results from them.

Here are a few tips:

1. Get In Close

The main limitation of built in flash units is their power. Whereas external flash units have their own dedicated power source and can be quite large – a built in flash shares it’s power with your camera’s other components and it’s generally quite a bit smaller.

Knowing this should drive you to get in close enough to your subject for the flash to have some impact (usually within 2-3 meters). If you can’t get in close (for example if you’re at a rock concert and are sitting in the back row) you’ll probably achieve better results by turning your flash off and bumping up the ISO setting.

2. Try Slow Sync Flash

Another limitation with in built flash units is that they can produce quite harsh results that mean any other ambient light in a scene is lost. This is partly because the light they produce is unable to be directed/bounced indirectly onto your subject.

One way around this is to use Slow Sync Flash. You can read about this technique in our tutorial on the topic – but in short it involves choosing a slower shutter speed and firing the flash while the shutter is open

3.Diffuse or Direct Your Flash DIY style

I’ve already alluded to the problem of not being able to diffuse the light produced by a fixed flash unit – however one technique that some inventive photographers use is to take a Do It Yourself approach and create their own diffusers.

Some photographers I know always have a roll of semi-opaque adhesive tape in their camera bag to put over their flash. This doesn’t stop the flash’s light but diffuses it.

Other friends take a little piece of white card with them which they put in front of their flash to bounce it up or sideways.

Using these techniques might mean you need to play with exposure compensation (you’ll probably want to increase exposure by a stop or two) as your camera won’t be aware that you’re taking some of the power out of it’s light

4. Fill-in Flash

Don’t just use your flash when it’s dark. Often when shooting outdoors a flash can really lift an image up a notch – particularly when photographing a subject with strong backlighting or one with harsh downward light. A fill in flash lights up shadowy areas.