Photographers and photo enthusiasts are some of the best people to shop for. Do you know why? Because there are a ton of things your shutterbug needs and wants to augment their pursuit of the ultimate photograph. And luckily, there are completely useful and thoughtful photography-related gifts available for any budget.
Let’s dive in.
1. Multitool
Eventually, everyone finds themselves in the field battling against a loose tripod, desperately using a penny or dime to tighten a screw (and potentially stripping both in the process). This is where a good multitool comes in; something that every photographer needs but few photographers have.
If you’re looking for a simple, small device, I would recommend the Novoflex Multi-Tool. It comes with five hex keys and three different screwdriver heads. It folds down to about three inches and weighs 2.8 ounces. If you’d like more tools, for double the price you can get the classic Leatherman Sidekick Multi-Tool. While wire cutters, two blades, a wire stripper, saw, and ruler might be overkill for most photo applications, the benefit of the Leatherman is that you can use it for things other than photography. In addition to several kinds of screwdrivers, it also comes with a pair of needle-nose pliers. There’s even a bottle opener for that end-of-the-shoot celebratory beverage.
2. Teleconverters
Unless they are a wide-angle lens junkie, almost every photographer experiences the need to get closer to their subject—usually without getting physically closer. One way to get closer without buying a new lens is with a teleconverter. They have different magnifications and are available in a variety of lens mounts. A warning to the gift-giver: check and double-check compatibility with your photographer's lenses and cameras because teleconverters can get pretty specific.
3. Digital Picture Frame
You could argue that one of the biggest tragedies of the digital age is that while we are producing more images than ever before, most people don’t ever really look at the fruits of their labor. A digital picture frame helps keep your images from languishing away on a forgotten hard drive by displaying hundreds of photos at a time, all in one frame. Some, like this 10-inch Aluratek Slim Digital Photo Frame, even come with built-in speakers, so you can add background music to your slideshow.
Another option, the Aluratek 13.3-inch Digital Photo Frame comes with interchangeable distressed wood frames in mahogany or walnut. It also supports USB hard drive (an extra power adapter is required for this option), USB flash drive, or SD cards (up to 32GB).
If you’re looking to pull out the big guns, consider the Meural 21.5-inch Canvas II Digital Frame. This big boy has an anti-glare screen, optimized for displaying art or photographs. It has a real wood frame and 8GB of internal memory. It also comes with 42 art samples preloaded onto the device and has an additional 100 sample images to choose from. If you’d like to go even further, you can purchase a membership to Meural’s art library containing 30,000 works.
The one caveat I would mention is that digital frame setup tends to be a little tricky. If you’re not buying for a tech-savvy person, you might be better off purchasing one of the more straightforward gifts on this list.
4. Polarizer
The circular polarizing filter remains ultra-relevant in today's digital-photography world simply because it is one of only a few filters whose effects cannot be digitally simulated. The polarizer allows you to darken blue skies, add contrast to clouds, reduce glare, and even see deeper into glare-reflecting water. If you are gifting a polarizing filter, I would recommend three things: 1) get the one that fits the recipient's largest lens. This way he or she can use it on smaller lenses using step-up rings. 2) If they use wide-angle lenses, get a slim filter. And, 3) get a high-quality one. A good polarizer is a life-long photographic partner and, when it comes to filters, price (to a point) indicates quality and performance. The last thing you want to do is give someone an inexpensive filter for an expensive lens.
Step it up a notch (or a lot of notches) with this Singh-Ray 77mm Gold-N-Blue filter. A B&H Photo colleague says that it “does things no conventional polarizer can do” with its variable color features, so I had to test it for myself. It is pretty awesome!
5. Flashlights
Now here is a gift with practicality that extends well past the photo world—the flashlight. Yawn, right? No! Photographers are often geeky tech nerds and cool, powerful, high-tech flashlights are right up many photographers' alleys. They come in all shapes, sizes, and brightness levels. Whether your photographer is into light painting, or just wants to find his or her way to the kitchen when the power goes out, a flashlight or headlamp makes an awesome gift.
If you happen to be shopping for an astrophotographer, you might want to consider getting them a red light LED flashlight. The red light helps them operate their gear without compromising their night-adjusted vision.
6. Lens-Cleaning Stuff
Believe it or not, your favorite photographer probably uses his or her T-shirt to clean their lens. I will not admit publicly to doing this, but I will tell you that it is not the best solution for your expensive optics, and it makes your T-shirt dirty! Stuff a lens cloth, lens tissues, and some cleaning solution in a box and you have got yourself a super-thoughtful photography gift. And send them this link! Oh, by the way, this stuff works on eyeglasses, binoculars, and telescopes too!
Here is a curveball cleaning product you can give, as well: the Delta 1 Camel Hair Brush is infinitely useful as a cleaning tool for all of your gear.
7. Variable Neutral Density Filter
Here is another useful filter for the photographer's camera kit—the variable neutral density filter (VND). Unlike the polarizer, you can simulate this filter's effects in post-processing, but only if you are a Photoshop maestro! The neutral density filter simply darkens the image and allows you to shoot at a slower shutter speed. This permits motion blur during daylight hours, silky smooth waterfalls, and wave-less seas and rivers to flow through your images. The variable part of the VND filter allows you to dial-in the darkness to your liking and give you precise control of how much movement occurs in the frame.
8. Camera Strap
Doesn't everyone like to advertise the camera make and model they are carrying via their camera strap? I could go off on a tangent about providing free marketing for camera manufacturers, and, if you love your camera, there is no shame in promoting the maker—maybe, if you are lucky, they will cut you a check for your hard work as a mobile billboard (it's definitely in the mail)—but let's just say that there are much better options for carrying a camera than the standard branded shoulder strap that comes with your camera. Seriously. Step up your game with a new-and-better camera strap like the BlackRapid Sport Breathe Camera Strap. Folks around B&H Photo are raving about the Peak Design Leash Camera Strap and the Peak Design Cuff Camera Wrist Strap.
Peak Design Leash Camera Strap9. Have a little fun!
Sometimes even the photographer who has all the best gear needs to loosen up and try something new. Perhaps that means getting them some new spy gear, like a covert pen camera or a sneaky coffee mug (a funny, albeit expensive joke gift).
Other options include this reloadable Lomography film camera, pre-loaded with desaturated LomoChrome film. It also comes with three gels that slide over the flash, a fun and easy way for someone to experiment with flash techniques and colored gels.
If you’re hunting for a truly weird gift, perhaps your loved one would appreciate the novelty of a Solarcan Pinhole Camera, which is capable of recording the sun’s path across the sky over the course of many months.
10. Rain Cover
This is a gift that will be unappreciated until it is needed. And then, guess who becomes the hero? You do! Many of today's cameras are weather-proofed and that is a great thing—but it still doesn't help you when you get water drops on your lens or viewfinder. The best way to protect your gear, and keep your optics clean so you can keep shooting, is with a rain cover. They come in all shapes and sizes and some are more rugged than others. Some are glorified plastic bags that you can keep in your camera bag for when the skies open. Others are designed for a lifetime of foul-weather photography.
11. The World's Most Awesome Gift Card
How do I know that the B&H Photo Gift Card is the best gift card in the entire world? I know this because I have put both the standard physical gift card and the electronic version through a thorough hands-on field test. Get one today and, feel free to send me one!
Photographers, tell us, in the Comments section below, what is on your wish list. Those shopping for photographers, feel free to engage us to see if we like your gift ideas, or have suggestions!
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