Last Minute Christmas Ideas for the Photographer on your List

For Creative Geniuses

For the photographer who needs a new creative outlet, a light painting wand opens endless possibilities. My favourite is the Magilight – I can create and upload my own files to light paint unique shapes and characters. Every image is completely different as your movements with the Magilight will always change.

Another fun feature (which I plan on playing with this year), is a hole for holding sparklers! You can create light patterns that are finished with sparkles on the outside.

You can get your very own Magilight here.

A Little Stability Please

Probably the most useful accessory for your photography, tripods are an absolute must for light painting and long-exposure photography. I’m not always as steady as I used to be, so I use a tripod for any images that require critical focus. They’re also really handy for self-portraits!

I have two favourite tripods: the Vanguard Alta Pro 2 263AB100 with included Ball Head and Vanguard VEO2 264 CB.

Why do I have two tripods? They’re both very different. The Alta Pro 2 features an articulating centre column – I can get it down low for dramatic images and it sits a little taller. The VEO 2 is my carbon fibre travel tripod – it’s very lightweight (only 2.8lbs) and packs down small for hiking and backpacking yet is very stable thanks to the carbon fibre legs. Vanguard heads use the Arca Swiss mounting plate, so I can use the same plate for both tripods – I don’t have to change the plate when I change tripods.

Protect and Dress Up Your Lenses

My next most-used accessory is my filter kit. Kenko offers a great three-piece filter set. I’ve always used a filter on the front of my lens – usually to protect the lens. Back in the film days, we used UV filters to improve our images. In modern DSLR cameras, our sensor has a UV filter. Nowadays, I use a clear protector on ALL my lenses.

I have a high-megapixel camera with best Tamron lenses attached and use top quality Kenko Protector filters on each one. Why? Because replacing a scratched or smashed front element is a few hundred dollars at least. I can toss a damaged filter and replace it for much less money and the good Kenko filters are optically invisible.

The best part of the Kenko filter set is that you also get a circular polarizer and an ND8 three stop Neutral Density filter, and the set includes the correct sizes for your lens.

Circular polarizers are ideal for controlling reflections, increasing saturation and pulling some drama out of an otherwise boring sky.

The ND8 allows a three-stop reduction in your exposure. If you want to add a motion blur to running water, use an ND8. If you want to use your Tamron 35mm f/1.4 lens wide open in bright sunlight at ISO64 and 1/8000s, use an ND8. I also like to carry an ND1000 (10 stop) and Variable ND Fader with me.

 

For Those who Take Portraits of People

One of the most versatile accessories for portrait photographer is the 5-in-1 multi-reflector. It’s five reflectors in one handy package. I use the silver and white for most portraits – adding a touch of fill light opposite my flashlight. The gold is nice for adding a touch of warmth to any image. The black panel is great for adding shadows or blocking light, especially reflections in glass. The centre diffusion panel helps soften light, whether I use it in front of my flash or between the sun and my subject.

If you want to add to the package, get your hands on a small light stand and reflector holder. This combination will let you position your reflector almost anywhere, without requiring a third hand to hold it in place. Don’t forget a Sand Bag to help steady your third hand.

For the Film Lover

Ilford Photo recently released a new black and white film – Ortho Plus. Film lovers will be left grinning like a Cheshire Cat when they see the results from this fine grain, orthochromatic film. It’s less sensitive to reds and oranges, which mean those tones will render darker with more contrast compared to other black and white films.

If you want a unique gift for the film lover, Lab-Box will let them develop their own film at home. The Ilford Simplicity Starter Kit provides enough chemical sachets to process two rolls of 35mm or one roll of 120 film!

Cut Down on Camera Cords

Many photographers like to share their work. Some of us want to send images to our smartphone so we can post to our social media accounts, but our cameras may not have that feature. Tether Tools has come to the rescue with two very useful tools: Case Air and Air Direct.

Case Air is a small yet powerful unit that connects almost any Canon or Nikon DSLR to your smartphone, tablet or Mac/PC computer! Not only can you send photos from your camera to your device, but it also allows you to control your camera from your device. Case Air may even add features (HDR, time lapse, etc) that your camera didn’t have before!

Air Direct is even more powerful and supports mobile device connections to Canon and Nikon cameras, but also connects almost any camera to your computer. You can even use your favourite tethering software, such as CaptureOne, Lightroom, Helicon and more to use your camera as if it was attached to your computer by a cable.

Let’s get Wild for Wildlife!

The first edition of the Tamron 150-600 set the wildlife photography scene afire. This lens was a clear homerun and brought an affordable super telephoto range within the financial reach of most photographers. Tamron followed that up with the 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 and the 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD.

These two lenses offer photographers a choice of focal lengths at manageable weights and sizes while providing excellent image results and super fast auto focus! The 100-400 is a very light weight solution for photographers who want a sharp super telephoto lens in a smaller package. The 150-600 G2 is a no-compromises lens that delivers outstanding results with a longer focal length. Both of these lenses are perfect choices – it depends how much you want to carry.

I like to mount my long lenses in a gimbal head. The Yelangu aluminum version is very cost-effective and there is a carbon fibre version that is lighter and stiffer.

A Vanguard monopod is the perfect lightweight and portable mount for your gimbal. I use the VEO 2 CM-264 for a nice light support that allows me to move freely yet be stable for taking images.

I Like my Images to Move

Videographers have different needs than photographers. Cambee has a great selection of video-specific products to help you create your vision. I like the VL-36B lights (available in three head  and two head kits) as you get a complete studio setup in one case. Light quality is perfect for beginners and advanced videographers. The Micro 2 slider system and L4X Motorized Dolly will let you create smooth motion effects.

My Phone is my Camera

Cellphone cameras are getting better and better. If you use your cellphone a lot, you might want to make it more functional. If I’m shooting video with my cellphone, I use my Rig to hold my phone, light and microphone all on one unit.

Metz mecalight S500 BC

If you’re using a cellphone with one lens, why not add more lens options? Kenko Lens Clips are a great stocking stuffer for any cellphone user. With fisheye, wide angle, macro and telephoto lenses available, your friends and followers won’t know if you used your cellphone or your big DSLR to take that amazing photo or video.

For the Person who Doesn’t Want Anything (or just everyone one your list!)

Give the gift of PHOTONews. The magazine is free – that’s right FREE! – to Canadian subscribers. Just fill out the form at www.photonews.ca/subscribe and we will send each issue to your photographer’s mailbox. PHOTONews is the only all-Canadian photography magazine available today. Each issue is full of inspiring photography, enriching education and numerous tips, tricks and techniques for photographers of all stripes. This could be the best gift ever for the photographer in your list.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at PHOTONews.