photo by janiecbros via iStock
What landscape photography accessories are you looking for this year? By accessories, I mean things other than a lens or a camera, so there’s a lot of room for categories of items and landscape photography tips that can assist your landscape photography in some way.
You may be surprised by how little some of the best landscape photography gear costs. Because, let’s face it, it’s easy to just keep dropping money on more and more stuff. So here a few of my choices of accessory equipment that, used properly, could improve your landscapes.
Bubble Level
The horizon line is often very important in landscape photography composition, so keeping it straight can make the difference whether we end up capturing an outstanding image or we end up with files we have to adjust a lot in post.
Almost every post processing program I know has an adjustment for rotating the image, but you also end up losing part of the image as you do that. Leveling it up in camera is a better choice. Some cameras have their own built in bubble level, for others you can either use a tripod head with a level in it or add a bubble level to the camera hot shoe.
Here is an example of a bubble level from Vivitar that works very well for something costing around the same as a foot long submarine sandwich.
Rain Shield
Light doesn't go away when it rains or snows, but it is changed. Take advantage of that different light quality with landscape photography accessories such as all weather bags or rain shields. Either one will let you keep shooting in inclement weather.
A bag style of rain shield that works well for cameras and larger lenses attached is from AquaTech. It is a little higher priced than a simple bag, but it allows shooting in some pretty nasty weather since it’s a wrap around style shield.
Another great idea is a rain canopy that is more like using an umbrella for your camera such as the Camera Canopy Shield. The advantage it has over a bag is that you have full easy access to camera controls, the disadvantage is that it is really best for more moderate showers and not for windy driven rain storms.
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Lens Filter Step Ring
One of the best landscape photography accessories to come out in years is a specialty design multiple size filter adapter step ring system from H&Y Filters called RevoRing. H&Y Filters RevoRing is a variable size lens filter step ring system that allows for using one size high quality filters on multiple size lenses.
For my landscape photography needs, I like an aspect of it that may not be obvious at first glance. In addition to adapting for various sizes, the method used for that also allows it to be used as a quick release for filters. One super quick twist is all it takes to add or remove a filter from a lens when using the RevoRing.
It is also quick and convenient when changing lenses while shooting landscapes. Take off the filter and lens, mount the new lens on camera, and then attach RevoRing and whatever filter is on it to the lens on your camera. It is one of those landscape photography tips that can really improve your workflow.
Wireless Remote Control
A standard statement in landscape photography tips is to use a remote shutter release to trigger the camera shutter. When using a tripod to maximize sharpness, you don’t want to mess up your careful planning by jarring the camera as you're triggering the shutter.
Way back in the days of all mechanical cameras, a simple cable plunger was used as a remote release. Nowadays we have some amazon options for totally wireless remote control of multiple camera functions in addition to triggering the shutter.
CamRanger Mini wireless controller is paired with your wi-fi enabled tablet or smartphone and allows changing almost every normal setting on your camera just like you touching the menu screen or buttons. It also gives you other features such as timelapse photography, HDR, and even remote viewing of what the camera is seeing.
Microfiber Lens Cloth
Keeping your lens clean, filters too, is paramount for successful landscape photography. Some sort of cleaning material needs to be included in your landscape photography gear bag. A lens blower brush is one good idea, especially if you get some large particles on your camera or lens.
A microfiber cleaning cloth is probably my most used of all of my landscape photography accessories. They’re reusable, can be washed, and provide an excellent way to remove smudges, fingerprints, and light oily dirt from your lenses, fileters, and even the camera body.
Use good sense, don’t use it to rub off large particles, a blower brush should be used first if that’s the dirt you have.
Camping Stool
An often overlooked but vital piece of landscape photography gear is a simple camping stool. You’re going to need a place to sit and rest if you’re planning on being outside doing landscapes for a while, the ground, rocks, or a well placed tree stump aren’t the best solution.
Alps Mountaineering Tri-Leg Stool is a good choice to include in our landscape photography accessories. It’s lightweight, folds up compactly for easy transport, and is both strong and comfortable.
Make Good Clothing Choices, Too
photo by m-imagephotography via iStock
Okay, that brings this list of 5 landscape photography accessories you must have up to 7 or 8 now, but I get excited when giving landscape photography tips, so bear with me! You really do need to make sure you’re dressed for the weather and are wearing really good shoes.
Now, take these tips and gear recommendations and adapt them to your own particular style and needs. Send me a line to tell me what works for you, we’d also like to see some of your landscape photography images.
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