A pro photographer’s life is not easy, despite what all the aspiring amateurs might think. There’s always the pressure from the client and the deadlines, not to mention the specific challenges and difficulties of each assignment. Whether it’s an international story for a magazine or a shoot for a local clothing designer, the pro photographer always has to be up to the challenge. Gear plays a crucial part in this equation. It is said that a good photographer can improvise and work with less tools, but believe me, that’s the last thing you want to be forced to do. No matter how good you are, not having the gear you need on hand will cripple your abilities. Pros know this and that’s why most of them have a list of items they never leave for an assignment without. Here are three of them.
1. Wolverine Colossal 18200 mAh Dual Charging USB Charger
I think you will agree that no matter how awesome your camera, smartphone or tablet is, it pretty much turns into a useless brick once it runs out of power and shuts down. That’s a nightmare for any professional working in the field far from a power outlet.
There are plenty of portable chargers to choose from out there, but most will only last about 3-4 charges. The Colossal is a bit different. It’s has an impressive 18200 mAh capacity that will keep your devices running for days. The twin USB ports allow let you charge two devices simultaneously, the LCD is easy to read and the built quality is really good. At just $49.99 you just can’t find a better deal.
2. B+W 77mm Circular Polarizer
You only know how important it is to have a circular polarizer with all the time when you’re caught without it. The popularity of optical filters has dramatically decreased with apps like Lightroom and Photoshop becoming so good and easy to use. Yet there are some filters you just can’t work without. The polarizer is one of them. It’s generally used to darken skies and add a bit of saturation, but more importantly it’s the number one tool to battle reflections. Post processing is not going to help you shoot through a window, a polarizer will. It’s a long term investment that will improve your workflow and expand your shooting capabilities.
3.Vanguard VEO AM-264TR Monopod
Stability is essential for a number of reasons. It might be the need for a longer exposure or you might have to shoot some video (a lot of pros are learning this trade too). It’s understandable that carrying a tripod with you all the time is not only uncomfortable, but it’s very impractical, not to mention potentially damaging to your health. A quality monopod is what we recommend and the Vanguard AM-264TR is one of our top picks. It’s perfect for shooting stills as well as video and it can be a valuable walking stick for photographers who venture into the wild. The rubber handles make it easy to grip in all weather conditions and its overall light weight makes it ideal to strap to your bag and go shooting.