So… do you ever wonder what gift you can give your photo-enthusiast buddy or relative without breaking the bank? I mean, have you SEEN what photo gear costs? Don’t fret. I have a couple of items that I think are really awesome, really useful, and don’t cost an arm and/or a leg.

Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. This is a fantastic book, even for people that have been fiddling with photography for awhile. It explains Aperture, Shutterspeed (don’t worry if you have no idea what I’m talking about) in such a fantastic way, with such great photographic examples, it makes you want to pick up your camera just so you can practice. I’ve attended and watched several seminars but this book just brought it all together for me. I lend it out to anyone that is struggling with a photography concept. I know photography forums that have homework sessions set around each chapter. It is THAT good!

UV Protection Filters. You know… what these little things protect you most from are not UV rays. They protect you from clumsiness 🙂 Or protect ME from clumsiness. Here’s the situation: you drop your camera, lens first; you pick it up to notice a big crack at the front of your lens. These little doodads screw right on top of the lens and protect it from scratches and drops. And if something scratches or breaks? Well, better the $10 filter over the $400+ lens, right? If you’re getting these filters for someone else, you will need to know what kind of lenses they have, since they are sized for each lens. Maybe not the biggest surprise of a gift, unless you’re sneaky. I advocate filters for anyone that doesn’t have it and isn’t OCD about every step they take and everyone that can be close to their gear. If you know someone that doesn’t have a filter? Do them a favor, and make ’em get it. Again, $10, or $400?

ColorRight PRO Neutral- White Balance Filter. Tired of yellow, green or blue photos of your friends/kids that you spend hours swearing at in post processing later? Or would rather look perfect straight out of the camera? Well, this helps you fix that. After setting your brightness to be just right, you take a photo with this little dome right infront of your lens, set your camera to custom white balance and presto. Skin that makes you look human… not Na’vi. I really think everyone that own a camera that can control white balance needs this.

Neewer CN-160 Dimmable LED Video Light. Alas my home doesn’t get amazing light at all hours of the day. Nor do my kids tend to spend all their adorable, photographic moments in a spot that is well lit. Yes, I crank my light sensitivity higher than should be legal, but even then there’s only so far even my camera can go. So that’s when this light comes in. It’s LED, uses very little power, and is pretty nice and bright. I break it out when it’s just too dark to do anything, and because it’s a constant light, I don’t have to worry about flash settings and all that jazz. Plus I can position it away from my camera and avoid that “deer in the headlights” look. Check out what a difference it makes!

Video light photography demonstration by Zemya Photography

Copyright:Zemya Photography

Neewer IR Wireless Remote Control. Because I want to be in the photos too. Nuff’ said 🙂 Yes, there are much better models, and ones that don’t require that the remote be in line of sight of the camera infra-red sensor, but for less than $5? C’mon – it’s worth the try.

So there you have it. My five recommendations for photography goodies that won’t break your piggie bank. Enjoy! Oh, and if you have any recommendations of your own, drop a line in the comments, won’t ya’?

About Zemya Photography

Zemya Photography is a professional Bay Area photographer, based on the Peninsula, and specializes in couples, maternity, family, newborn, baby, and children's on-location, natural light, lifestyle portrait photography. Book your session today