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Happy gifting!
Checkout these gifts, new and old, that are sure to make any photographer (new or old) smile.
New camera straps, phoneography essentials, tacos and more.
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Read the rest of Holiday Gift Guide 2016: Gifts New and Old (0 words)
© laurel for Photojojo, 2016. |
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Facing the Storm by Gunther Riehle of Germany / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Fans of wildlife and nature photography can now have their say in the annual People’s Choice Award for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. The award recognizes outstanding competition entries as chosen by the public. Lovers of wildlife photography around the world can choose from 25 images, pre-selected by the Natural History Museum from almost 50,000 submissions from 95 countries.
Online voting is open now, until January 10th, 2017. Click here to cast your vote, and in case you missed them, take a look at the overall competition winners.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London.
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Gunther Riehle, Germany / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Gunther arrived at the frozen sea ice in Antarctica in sunshine, but by the evening a storm picked up. Initially just strong winds, by the early morning snow had arrived. He concentrated on taking images of the emperor penguin chicks huddled together to shield themselves from the force of the snowstorm.
Nikon D4; Nikon 80–400mm f4.5–5.6 lens at 400mm and B+W polarising filter; 1/640 sec at f18 (+0.3 e/v); ISO 640.
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Alain Mafart Renodier, France / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Alain was on a wintertime visit to Japan’s Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park when he took this poignant photograph of a sleeping baby Japanese macaque, its mother’s hand covering its head protectively.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III; 70–200mm f2.8 lens; 1/1250 sec at f2.8; ISO 1600.
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Johan Kloppers, South Africa / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Johan saw this little wildebeest shortly after it was born in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa. Little did he know that he would witness its death later that same day – the small herd of wildebeest walked right past a pride of lions and the calf was caught by a lioness and then taken by this male lion.
Canon 7D Mark II; Canon 500mm f4 lens at f4.5; 1/1000 sec; ISO 1250.
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Mario Cea, Spain / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
The kingfisher frequented this natural pond every day, and Mario used a high shutter speed with artificial light to photograph it. He used several units of flash for the kingfisher and a continuous light to capture the wake as the bird dived down towards the water.
Canon EOS 7D; 100–400mm lens at 160mm; 1/15 sec at f7.1; 250 ISO; four Godox V860 flashes; LED light lantern; Benro tripod and ballhead; Cable release; Hide.
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Daisy Gilardini, Switzerland / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
This female polar bear was resting with its two young cubs in Wapusk National Park, Manitoba, Canada, when it suddenly got up and rushed downhill through the deep snow. One of the cubs jumped on to her, holding onto her furry backside with a firm bite – totally unexpected and humorous behaviour.
Nikon D4s; Nikkor 800mm f5.6 lens and 1.25x extender; 1/1000 sec at f13 (+2/3 e/v); ISO 1250; Gitzo tripod and RRS ballhead.
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Ally McDowell, USA/UK / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Ally often focuses on colours and patterns underwater. She nearly threw away an image of a fish’s eye but her partner asked to see it and then turned it upside down. It was then that Ally saw it was an unusual, abstract view, and so on a night dive, when the parrotfish were still and sleeping, she focused on creating a similar image.
Nikon D7100; 105mm lens; 1/100 sec at f22; ISO 640; Nauticam housing; Inon Z-240 strobes.
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Tapio Kaisla, Finland / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Tapio took a trip to Dovrefjell–Sunndalsfjell National Park, Norway, to find these magnificent oxen amid their natural habitat. Even though spring is not rutting season for these animals, they were already seriously testing their strength against each other and the air rang out with the loud bang of the head-on collision between these two beasts.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III; 200–400mm f4 lens and 1.4x extender; 1/640 sec at f8; ISO 2500.
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Stephen Belcher, New Zealand / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Stephen spent a week photographing golden snub-nosed monkeys in a valley in the Zhouzhi Nature Reserve in the Qinling Mountains, China. The monkeys have very thick fur, which they need to withstand the freezing nights in winter. This image shows two males about to fight, one already up on a rock, the other bounding in with a young male.
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II; 70–200mm f2.8 lens; 1/800 sec at f7.1; ISO 400.
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Rudi Hulshof, South Africa / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Rudi wanted to capture the uncertainty of the future of the southern white rhino in the Welgevonden Game Reserve, South Africa, because of poaching. He anticipated the moment when these two rhinos would walk past each other, creating this silhouette effect and the illusion of a two-headed rhino.
Sony A900; Sony 70–400mm f4–5.6 lens at 210mm; 1/8000 sec at f5.6; ISO 400.
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Victor Tyakht, Russia / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
The bird’s wing acts as a diffraction grating – a surface structure with a repeating pattern of ridges or slits. The structure causes the incoming light rays to spread out, bend and split into spectral colours, producing this shimmering rainbow effect, captured here by Victor.
Nikon D300s; Nikkor 80–400mm f4–5.6 lens at 400mm; 1/8000 sec at f11; ISO 200.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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It’s not easy shopping for a photographer. We’re notoriously picky, our gear is confusingly named and the difference between something we like and something we don’t can come down to what seem like trivial details. Trust us, if picking camera equipment was easy, we’d be out of work.
But before you give up and just get a gift card, take a look through our carefully selected holiday gift suggestions, grouped by price range, for the photographer in your life. Don’t worry – we won’t tell anyone if that photographer is actually you.
See our 2016 Holiday Gift Guide: $ 100 and under
See our 2016 Holiday Gift Guide: $ 100-500
See our 2016 Holiday Gift Guide: $ 500 and up
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Let’s face it, it seems a little odd that a site called Digital Photography Review would dare take a step backward in to the world of analog photography. But truth be told, we all were delighted by handling physical prints from these cameras. Some of our editors began their careers in a darkroom, and with Instax mini images there’s just a little zest of the ‘magic’ of development as an image first appears. After that’s over, you’re left with a business-card sized talisman, artwork, souvenir, memory, or whatever else a photograph can become.
It’s not just us who are hooked on the smiles and joy instant photography can bring; sales of Fujifilm Instax cameras are expected to reach 5 million units this year, and they’re not even the sole manufacturer of cameras that use the format.
Plus, the affordable options make great gifts, and are some of the cheapest ways to give the gift of photography over the holiday season. So we wondered: which one is best?
We decided to step into the world of instant for a few days to find out which camera is best for gifting to newcomers, and which is best for a photographer to gift to themselves. We selected eight cameras that all use the Instax mini format – which is now available in color and black and white (purists rejoice!) – and spent a little time with each to find out which is most fun, and which one is most rewarding.
The contenders are:
Fujifilm Instax mini 8
Fujifilm Instax mini 70
Fujifilm Instax mini 90
Lomography L’instant
Lomography L’instant Automat
Lomography LC-A+ Instant Back
Leica Sofort
MiNT InstantFlex TL70
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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The past few years have seen an explosion in the popularity of drones, and they’re being used for everything from video production to aerial panoramas. It’s an exciting time to dive into this technology.
Drones can be expensive, but there are good values to be had, even under $ 1500. In fact, some of the models in this round-up have been used for prize-winning photography as well as for major feature films.
Before buying a drone, think about how you intend to use it. Some are better for video, while others may be better for pictures. Some still photographers prefer to shoot with 4K video and ‘frame grab.’ As with any tool it’s about picking what’s right for you.
One thing to remember is that specifications are designed to catch your eye. But remember, as with any camera, it’s not all about a single specification; it’s about combining the features and specifications that matter most to you and meet your needs.
In addition to core specs, many drones have features such as ‘follow-me’ or subject tracking modes that can be used to make operation easier, or even automate shots. For instance, if you want to shoot video but have a difficult time orbiting, spiraling, or doing a fly-by pan while keeping your subject in frame, these features can be an immense help (if they work properly). Also, consider how easy a drone is to fly. The guidance system and stability of the drone will help determine this.
It’s a crowded market and there are a lot of drones available for under $ 1500, but we’ll take a look at some of the most common models you’re likely to run into:
Finally, we’ll try to help answer the question “Which drone should I buy?”
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Our friends at Photo District News just published their annual Gift Guide, including gift ideas from the reviews team here at DPReview. Alongside our personal recommendations, you’ll find contributions from the team at PDN, and Rangefinder Magazine.
So whether you’re shopping for a special photographer in your life, or just as an end of year treat to yourself (we won’t tell anyone), this guide is a great place to get some inspiration.
Check out the 2016 PDN Gift Guide
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Get over here, we found the bright side!
Eight totally great things that came out of 2016.
See the very best gifts for photographers, that we added to the Photojojo Shop this year.
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Read the rest of Holiday Gift Guide 2016: New This Year (0 words)
© laurel for Photojojo, 2016. |
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Shopping for photographers is hard. In fact, shopping in general is hard. We’d like to help everyone involved out a little bit, whether you’re shopping for a photographer or taking a break from the stress of holiday shopping to #treatyoself. If you’re really looking to invest in a gift that keeps on giving, we’ve got some ideas for big budgets.
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Photography and travel: the eternal love/hate relationship. Photographers love taking photos while they travel, but hate carrying the gear they need to make high quality images. If you know a frustrated traveling photographer, encourage him or her to slim down and simplify with the Fujifilm X70. With a fixed Fujinon 18.5mm (28mm Equiv.) F2.8 Lens, 16.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS II Sensor, 77-point AF system, 1080p video, and a 0.5 second startup time the X70 is not likely to disappoint in the quality image department.
But perhaps equally impressive is the fact that Fujifilm was able to incorporate physical controls for aperture and shutter speed, shooting modes, exposure compensation and eight customizable buttons all in a compact body that measures 4.45 x 2.52 x 1.73 in (113 x 64 x 44 mm) and weighs just 12 oz (340 g). Your traveling photographer will be able to take this camera anywhere and come home with excellent images.
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Drones are a lot of fun. They allow photographers to photograph and film from angles and locations that would otherwise be extremely expensive (helicopter time is around $ 600/hr) or downright impossible. But until now, high quality drones have been fairly bulky to carry around. The DJI Mavic Pro changes that with a clever folding design that allows the drone to pack up to about the size of a small loaf of bread.
Despite the small size, the Mavic Pro offers a 4K video/12MP still camera stabilized by a 3-axis gimbal. Flown with the included controller or directly from a smartphone, it has multiple flight modes to assist in tracking, framing, and ground/obstacle avoidance. With a 27 minute flight time, 4.3 mile range, top speed of 40 mph (64 kmh), and a form that fits into a small backpack, the DJI Mavic Pro is ready to go anywhere.
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Is it a tablet? Is it a laptop? Since the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 can run the full version of Adobe Photoshop, does it really matter? With up to a 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of ram, and 1TB of storage, the Surface Pro 4 packs a lot of computing power in a very small 1.73 lb (0.8 kg) package. In addition to the ability to run Photoshop and Lightroom, photographers will appreciate the 12.3″ 2736 x 1824 screen, built in SD card reader, 9 hour battery life (depending on usage) and a clever Pixelsense pen/stylus that takes away all the pain of trying to manipulate tiny photo details with fat fingers. For those who think tablets are good for nothing more than Netflix and Angry birds, the Surface Pro 4 will be a real eye opener.
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We often know people who are interested in photography, but don’t know where to start. They would like to step up from their phone camera, but find a trip to the camera store or browsing Amazon to be overwhelming. Not only are there a staggering array of options on the shelves, but the complexity of today’s high end digital cameras make ‘serious’ photography seem inaccessible. A great solution for these people is the Olympus PEN E-PL8 with 14-42mm (28-84mm equiv.) F3.5-5.6 lens kit.
The E-PL8 strikes a great balance between being easy to use and non-threatening for the new photographer, and producing high quality images. On the outside, the body and controls are clear and straightforward. On the inside, the imaging guts of the E-PL8 are the same as the highly rated Olympus E-M10 II, a 16 MP Live MOS sensor with 1080p HD video capabilities. A 3-axis in-body image stabilization system will help keep images sharp and videos smooth, and 14 Art Modes encourage creativity.
Perhaps most importantly, the E-PL8 provides an entry into the Olympus Micro Four Thirds system. So when the time comes for an E-PL8 owner to step up to a more advanced camera, lenses and accessories will be able to move along with them.
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If you’ve done any photography equipment research as part of your holiday shopping, you could be forgiven for thinking that the world revolves around DSLRs, mirrorless cameras and a few select compacts. Where are the high-quality-yet-pocketable, large-sensor fixed-lens cameras? Panasonic’s reply is the newly released Lumix DMC-LX10 (also known as the LX15 in some markets).
With a 1”-type 20.1 MP sensor, a Leica 3x DC Vario-Summilux 8.8-26.4mm (24-72mm equiv.) F1.4-2.8 lens and a shirt-pocket size, the LX10 continues Panasonic’s long history of high-end compact cameras. A 180-degree upward tilting touchscreen, 4K video capability and five-axis image stabilization round out the feature set. Packed in a suitcase for a trip around the world or a purse for a trip to the beach, the LX10 should be an excellent companion.
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A photographer afflicted with Gear Addiction Syndrome will experience many different stages. Point and shoot to DSLR, small prime lens to big constant F2.8 zoom, and small bag under the desk to camera closet overflowing with cameras and tripods and accessories.
Lighting upgrades are just as momentous, and the move from speedlights to studio strobes is an important evolution for those who are serious about studio and portrait photography. Speedlights are great learning tools and can produce wonderful results, but they simply do not have the power or flexibility that something like the Profoto D2 500 Air TTL Monolight can provide.
With 500 Ws of power and an incredibly fast 0.03-0.6sec recycle time, the D2 500 has power and quickness that no speedlight can match. 10 stops of adjustment, up to a 1/8000 high speed shutter sync, built in radio triggering, and optional Canon or Nikon TTL capabilities help to harness and control that power. Upgrading into the world of serious studio lighting is a big step up, but for many photographers, it is an important one.
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One of the most popular lighting accessories in recent years has been the ‘Beauty Dish.’ With a light quality more soft and even than on-camera flash but more directional than a softbox, beauty dishes are a staple of the fashion industry. Unsurprisingly, studio photographers have found that they make excellent portrait options. However, virtually all beauty dishes are 16-28″ in diameter and are more suitable for head and shoulders or 1/2 body shots. To get the beauty dish lighting effect for full-body or group portraits at reasonable working distances requires a particularly big dish.
They don’t come much bigger than the Mola Mantti 43.5″ beauty dish. It is a beast of a dish and will provide the perfect lighting to make next year’s family holiday photo look like it came from the pages of Elle Magazine.
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The 85mm focal length is a classic. These lenses are beloved for their compact size and large apertures. They’re perfect for environmental portraits because of their short working distance and perfect for tighter shots because of their ability to blur the background. An 85mm lens would be a great gift for any photographer interested in boosting their ‘people photography’ game. Right now, there is arguably no better 85mm lens on the market than the Sigma 85mm F1.4 Art.
With a super fast F1.4 aperture, 14 elements in 12 groups, and a newly updated Hyper Sonic Motor, this lens maybe the most technologically advanced 85mm lens ever designed. With its creamy wide-open bokeh and sharpness across the frame, the Sigma 85mm F1.4 Art lens will make portraits pop like no slow kit zoom lens ever could.
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One trillion photos were estimated to have been taken in 2015. The camera type that took 75% of those images? No, it wasn’t a DSLR or a mirrorless or any other high-end tool from the photographic industry. It was the camera in our pockets, the smartphone. A smartphone is the camera we have with us for almost every waking minute of our day. As everyone knows, the camera you have with you is better than any camera you leave at home.
So if 75% of our images are going to come from our phones, it behooves any serious photographer to prioritize camera quality when deciding on a phone. The Apple iPhone 7 Plus should be a strong contender for that choice. A fast F1.8 aperture, 4K video, optical image stabilization, and water resistance are all standout features. Even more impressively, its innovative dual camera design gives you two focal lengths to choose from (28mm and 50mm), allows 2X optical zooming, and can use data from both to simulate narrow depth of field in a special ‘portrait’ mode.
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Do you know someone that simply loves to print photos for friends and family? Do they have a library full of photo albums? Have they taken out a second mortgage to pay for inkjet ink cartridges? Do they spend more time waiting in line at the local photo lab than they do with their family? Maybe it’s time for them to step up to a professional dye sublimation printer.
The DNP DS620A can produce everything from 2 x 6″ photo strips to 6 x 8″ prints and in high-speed mode will create a 4 x 6″ photo in just 8.3 seconds. More compact than most inkjet printers, the DS620A’s dye sublimation technology will not dry out or clog in between uses. To top it all off, at $ 0.14 per 4×6, prints from the DNP DS620A are cheaper than most photo labs. Plus – no waiting in line.
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Looking for that special gift for the photographer who has absolutely everything? Need to make sure that the Ansel Adams in your life stands out from the crowd at the next preschool holiday pageant? Look no further than the Leica M-P ‘Grip’ by Rolf Sachs edition. The already high-end Leica rangefinder’s familiar leather body covering was replaced with red-nubbed rubber (reminiscent of a shower mat) that Leica says, ‘lend the camera a uniquely eye-catching look and simultaneously create an entirely new haptic experience.’
For most of us, just trying not to drop the $ 15,000 special edition M-P would be enough of a haptic experience. But perhaps that is why Leica and Rolf Sachs thoughtfully provided the extra grip. But if you’re paying that much for a camera, it would be nice to have something more than a shower mat keeping it from hitting the floor. Perhaps something like this handy wrist strap?
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Shopping for photographers is hard. In fact, shopping in general is hard. We’d like to help everyone involved out a little bit, whether you’re shopping for a photographer or taking a break from the stress of holiday shopping to #treatyoself. In this price range you’ll find more than just stocking stuffers.
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Have you often wondered why the photographer in your life is wearing a boring normal-people sweatshirt? This holiday season you have a chance to set that straight with the Cooph Photographer Hoodie. Made of 100% organic soft and comfy cotton, the Photographer Hoodie has a classic style that Cooph says is ‘cut specifically for photographers.’
There’s an integrated zippered lens pocket, a lens cleaning cloth in a hidden pocket, an integrated sleep mask for those long flights, and thumbholes for warmth during those chilly on-location mornings. The whole thing even has built-in snaps to fold into a pillow. We’re not sure that it’s going to make anyone a better photographer, but it might make them warmer and more stylish.
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Airplane travel isn’t much fun for most people these days, and it is especially un-fun for photographers. Checking luggage? The TSA (and who knows else) almost certainly go through it. So most of us prefer to keep gear in our carry-on luggage. But with carry-on size and weight requirements becoming more and more strict, photographers need a pretty specifically sized bag that is as light as possible in order to get everything on board.
Think Tank’s Airport Advantage rolling camera bag was designed with exactly this in mind. At 12.7 x 19.5 x 7.3 in (32.3 x 49.5 x 18.5 cm) it is designed to meet both US and international carry-on size requirements, and its light 5.9 lb (2.7 kg) weight allows you to pack gear in while staying under weight limits. Depending on layout, the Airport Advantage fits up to 2 gripped DSLRs with 3-4 lenses, and offers a dedicated sleeve for laptops up to 15 in.
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Does the photographer in your life need to slow down a little? Do they ramble on too often about megapixels, high ISO noise and autofocus points? Could they stand to be entranced by the magic of a slowly appearing instant photo? Then you need to get them the Lomography Lomo’Instant Automat. Using Fuji Instax Mini film, the Lomo’Instant Automat aims to be the most advanced automatic instant camera ever. That said, there are only two exposure modes, automatic and bulb, and two flash modes, on and off.
All the Lomo favorites are here: four-icon zone focusing, color gels, multiple exposures, and add-on accessory lenses. The photos are creamy, dreamy and maybe not all that sharp, but that’s kind of the fun of it. As Lomo says, ‘Don’t think, just shoot: live fearlessly in the now, be your own inspiration, and create your own universe.’
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The Ricoh Theta SC doesn’t quite offer everything its Theta S predecessor does. But it comes with a cheaper price tag and all of the essential features, and it’s a great way to try out 360-degree capture without much of a commitment. The Theta SC uses twin spherical lenses with 14MP sensors to capture 360 degree images and video that can be viewed on devices like the Samsung Gear VR, or shared to social media from Ricoh’s Theta S app.
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If you’ve done any photography equipment research as part of your holiday shopping, you could be forgiven for thinking that the world revolves around DSLRs, mirrorless cameras and a few select compacts. Where are the high-quality-yet-pocketable, large-sensor fixed-lens cameras? Panasonic’s reply is the newly released Lumix DMC-LX10 (also known as the LX15 in some markets).
With a 1”-type 20.1 MP sensor, a Leica 3x DC Vario-Summilux 8.8-26.4mm (24-72mm equiv.) F1.4-2.8 lens and a shirt-pocket size, the LX10 continues Panasonic’s long history of high-end compact cameras. A 180-degree upward tilting touchscreen, 4K video capability and five-axis image stabilization round out the feature set. Packed in a suitcase for a trip around the world or a purse for a trip to the beach, the LX10 should be an excellent companion.
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Every photographer needs a sleek, functional shoulder bag that isn’t too bulky and doesn’t scream ‘steal me.’ It’s a market segment that has seen many options over the years. But for the 2016 holiday season, it would be foolish to not take a look at the Tenba Cooper 13 DSLR-sized messenger. Designed to hold a DSLR with 2-3 lenses, the Cooper 13 DSLR’s peach-wax cotton canvas exterior and full grain leather trim checks boxes in the style department. The quick access top zipper, expanding external side pockets, 13″ laptop sleeve and silent opening velcro will probably be the features that photographers are most impressed with in use. The Cooper bags are personal favorites at DPR and we highly recommend them.
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Are you constantly made to watch shaky, nausea-inducing video footage taken by a budding videographer using a smartphone? Let’s face it, smartphones are ergonomic disasters as far as videos are concerned and any shift in grip or slight jostle causes the footage to jump like there was an earthquake.
Enter the DJI Osmo Mobile, a 3-axis gimbal that steadies out even the shakiest footage. Designed to hold phones from the compact iPhone SE to large phablets such as the Google Pixel XL, the Osmo Mobile is simple enough that even children figure out how to use it in minutes. For those who want more control, DJI’s Go app allows changes to shutter speed, ISO and white balance from the phone and the Osmo Mobile’s handle offers physical controls for controlling shooting modes and operation. Throw in a three hour battery life and that’s a lot of steady footage.
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No digital photographer is ever going to turn down more storage space. What if that storage space also happened to be battery powered, 802.11ac (5 ghz) Wi-Fi enabled and also include an SD 3.0 card reader? I suspect most photographers would flip at the chance to get their hands on that device.
The WD 2TB My Passport Wireless Pro portable external hard drive is meant to be a compact on-the-go wireless NAS (network attached storage) device for downloading full memory cards in the field and accessing them via wi-fi or USB 3.0 when back at your computer. Its 6400 mAh battery gives up to 10 hours of power (depending on use) and can even be used to charge USB connected devices such as smartphones and action cameras.
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Who wants to carry 5 lb (2.2 kg) of backpack when they’re already carrying 20 lb (9 kg) of gear? Nobody, that’s who. So if you know a photographer who carries a lot of gear on their back, give them the lightweight Tamrac Nagano 12L backpack this year. At a featherweight 2.2 lb (1.0 kg) the Nagano weighs a fraction of similar packs and still holds a DSLR 3-4 lenses and accessories. There’s room for an 11 in tablet or computer or a hydration bladder if liquid is more important than computing. Dual, stretch pockets accommodate a water bottle on one side, and a compact tripod on the other.
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There’s no denying that Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom are the photo editing gold standard. The reason they haven’t been replaced by something new is because they remain the best option for most photographers. Yes, great photos can be made, edited and shared without Photoshop or Lightroom. But if the photographer on your list doesn’t have these two programs, you probably can’t go wrong giving them the gift of 12 months of access to Adobe Photoshop CC and Lightroom CC. They will be able to install the programs on up to two computers and multiple mobile devices. They, and their photos, will thank you.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Shopping for photographers is hard. In fact, shopping in general is hard. We’d like to help everyone involved out a little bit, whether you’re shopping for a photographer or taking a break from the stress of holiday shopping to #treatyoself. Our first round of gift suggestions make for great stocking stuffers that won’t put a strain on your budget.
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One of the fastest and easiest ways to polish your video work is to improve the sound quality. While phones may be able to put a 4K video camera in your pocket, their microphones are made for voice calls, not Hollywood. Since carrying an external audio recorder around for mobile videos is somewhat impractical, allow me to suggest the Rode VideoMic Me.
The VideoMic Me is a compact and lightweight directional microphone that connects right to a smartphone’s headphone socket (sorry, iPhone 7/7 Plus users). The mic’s directional pattern will keep ambient noise at a minimum and make your subject’s audio easier to hear. There is a passthrough 1/8 in (3.5 mm) headphone jack on the back that allows audio monitoring while recording (app dependent). It even comes with a tiny ‘dead cat’ windscreen for shooting in adverse weather.
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When hiking or engaging in other fast-paced activities, photographers are often stuck with their camera stabilized, but inaccessible in a pack, or having it accessible, but bouncing and swaying around on a camera strap. BlackRapid’s Sport Breathe strap is designed specifically to help avoid that problem.
Available in right or left hand versions (so make sure you get the correct one), the Breathe’s ergonomic, moisture-wicking pad is designed to be slung over the photographer’s shoulder with the camera hanging upside down on their opposite hip for quick and easy access. A second strap crosses under the user’s armpit and further stabilizes the camera when needed.
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Not every camera bag needs to be able to carry as much gear as a pack mule. Many photographers enjoy shooting with one camera body and a couple small fast primes, or just own a small mirrorless kit for travel. Either way, a small tough bag is a handy accessory to have around.
While bag designs come and go, the Domke F-5XB quietly keeps on doing its job. Perfectly sized for a small body and a lens or two, the F-5XB can be carried with its ‘gripper’ shoulder strap or attached to a belt as a waist-pack. The Ruggedwear fabric sheds water much better than the old canvas Domke bags, and like your favorite pair of jeans, it will look even better as it ages.
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Living in the Northwest, I’m quite familiar with rain. I’m also quite familiar with the hassles involved with trying to keep camera gear dry while out in that rain. Waterproof camera bags either have giant stiff zippers or slow and frustrating roll-top closures. Neither lends itself to giving you easy access to your gear.
Miggo’s Agua bags are designed to protect a camera in the harshest downpour, but still keep it accessible for when the clouds part and that double rainbow appears. With a clever split open design, double layer impact and moisture protection, and an IPX3 water resistance certification, the Aqua 45 keeps the elements at bay.
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A circular polarizer is something that many beginner photographers do not understand and thus, do not bother with. I see far more photographers out and about with $ 2000 lenses than I do using the humble polarizing filter. Perhaps they would change their tune if they saw just what a difference a polarizer can make for colors, glare and reflections.
High-end polarizers can be very expensive, particularly for 77mm F2.8 zoom lenses. While you can certainly find higher quality filters than the Amazon Basics Circular Polarizer, at $ 16 you won’t find a better value for the money. Every photographer should give one of these a try and see what a polarizer can do for their photography.
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As photographers, we go through a tremendous amount of work to create our images. We huddle freezing in the mud waiting for the perfect mountaintop sunrise, we spend hours adjusting every studio light just-so and we even risk getting soaked at a children’s birthday party water balloon fight. Why then, would a photographer take a chance that their hard-won image would end up with incorrect colors by the time it makes it to the printer or social network posting?
Color calibration isn’t the most glamorous aspect of photography (though, come to think of it, neither is waiting in the freezing mud). But if photographers want their photos to accurately reflect the colors they captured, they need to make sure that their monitor is displaying them correctly. Give the photographer in your life the gift of accurate color with the Datacolor Spyder5Express.
The Spyder5Express’s simple 4 step process takes just minutes to to calibrate a monitor with its 7-detector optical engine. Seeing the before and after examples right there on their own monitor will make any photographer wonder why they waited so long to calibrate.
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Not everyone needs a shoulder/neck strap for their camera. Sure, they leave a photographer’s hands free. But they can be bulky, snag on things, and dangle into the shot from time to time. Sometimes all one needs is something to make sure the camera can’t be dropped off a cliff.
The Peak Design Cuff strap is simple, lightweight and foolproof. Installed or removed in seconds with Peak Design’s clever anchor attachments, the Cuff takes up a tiny corner of a camera bag and yet can save thousands of dollars of camera gear. It can even be worn as a bracelet to keep it at hand in between uses.
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Cameras these days can capture exceptionally high video quality. Everything from DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, GoPros and even phones offer 1080p and even 4K resolution. However, almost none of them are designed ergonomically for filming. They can be difficult to keep level over the course of a long shot and impossible to hold steady while moving.
If you have a budding Steven Spielberg in your life, take a look at the Cam Caddie Scorpion Jr. camera stabilizing handle. It can hold cameras up to 2kg/4.5lbs, has a comfortable foam grip and an adjustable accessory shoe for mics, small monitors and LED lights. With a little luck, you’ll never be forced to watch shaky drifting video footage again.
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Despite living in an age of Instagram, Flickr and Pinterest, most folks still get a little thrill when they get a printed photo. My children think a printed photo is such a novelty that it MUST be a special thing and fight over who gets to keep it. Inkjet printers can provide amazing quality, but ink is expensive, the prints are damaged by moisture and the print jets can clog without regular use. Digital printing is inexpensive and quick at photo labs, but if there isn’t a lab nearby, slow mail order may be the only option.
The Canon Selphy CP1200 offers an excellent middle ground. At the price of an inexpensive inkjet, the CP1200 is a printer that can output 4 x 6 prints in at little as 47 seconds. Because the dye sublimation process is water resistant, just like a photo lab print, the prints will be protected from both liquid and little sticky hands. Media for the CP100 includes both the paper and dye ribbon. At $ 28 for 108 sheets, prints come out to $ 0.26 each.
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Looking for a stocking stuffer? These PhotoMemo Photographer’s Memo Books are designed for a photographer’s note taking needs. Each two-page spread is designed as a ‘roll journal,’ which has space to record shooting data, camera/lens choice, film type, and more. It also offers ample area for free notes, sketches, lists, and anything else.
The books measure 13.9 x 9.5 cm/5.5 x 3.75 in and has 22 2-page spreads (48 pages in all). The cover paper is 100lb Neenah Environment Desert Storm paper, and the pages are 60lb Finch Opaque Smooth archival quality paper. Okay, so it’s a little more useful for film shooters, but for those who enjoy the retro feel, like to record shooting info, or heck, still shoot film, the PhotoMemo is a clever little memo book.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)