No one ever said that creating beautiful pictures is easy...
Sure, it comes more naturally to others, but no matter who you are, there's a lot of things that need to go just right if you're going to maximize the visual impact of the photos you create.
Talent is certainly a part of that.
So is photography knowledge and know-how.
Another part of giving yourself the best chance at creating the best image is having accessories that make it easier for you to do so.
That's where this list comes in.
If you want better pictures in your portfolio, consider investing in some (or all!) of these accessories.
Holdfast MoneyMaker
It's not called the MoneyMaker for nothing...
The Holdfast MoneyMaker is purpose built to make the process of getting "the shot" much easier.
Let's face it - carrying your camera around with a single shoulder strap is nothing if not uncomfortable. Add in a second camera body, and you've got the makings of your expensive gear clanking around against your body.
Not so with the MoneyMaker.
Just take a look at the photo above, and you can immediately see how this thing is a godsend for photographers.
It keeps your cameras - up to three of them depending on the arrangement of the system - close to your body where they are protected. No more worry about your camera banging against your side as you walk. No more worry about it hitting something as you walk by, either.
The MoneyMaker holds your gear safely and securely with anchored metal D-rings and safety straps, right next to your body so that you can move with purpose and without worry. The cameras hang right at your fingertips, in an arrangement that's not just safe for your gear but also convenient for you to bring your camera to your eye and then quickly switch to another camera body.
That means you don't have to bend down and into your camera bag to switch out bodies or lenses because you'll already have them right there on your MoneyMaker camera harness. And since the MoneyMaker is a complete system, you can add camera pouches and even a camera bag to the harness, giving you unparalleled access to a wide variety of your gear. Just take a look at the video above to see what I mean.
Plus, the Holdfast MoneyMaker just looks amazing. With various materials available from water buffalo and American bison to python skin and synthetic materials, these harnesses look great and are incredibly durable, so they'll last you for years and years and years.
So, the MoneyMaker looks great, lets you carry more gear, more comfortably, and more securely, while helping you save time and energy at the same time. If that's not the mark of an accessory that makes your life easier, I don't know what is!
Flash Gels
I know flash gels aren't the most exciting thing to add to your kit, but trust me when I say they can make a huge difference in the quality of the photos you take.
I'm sure I don't need to tell you that the light from a flash is harsh and can result in washed out faces and strong shadows that diminish the quality of the shot you take.
But with flash gels - which simply cover the bulb of your flash - you can tailor the lighting to better fit your needs.
That means you can add an interesting color effect to the scene by adding a red, blue, green, yellow, or any other color gel you desire. You can even place multiple gels in front of the flash for more customized coloring.
Additionally, you can use flash gels to match the ambient lighting, giving your flash-based photography a more natural look. Have a look at this concept in action in the video below by Robert Hall Photography:
As another example, if shooting indoors under fluorescent lighting, the ambient light will have a green hue to it. Adding a flash to the scenario - with its bright white light - will look rather odd with the abundance of orange light in the scene.
Once you change your white balance setting to fluorescent, the camera will balance out the green tint with magenta for a more natural look. However, once you add your flash to the scenario, the light it puts out will now appear to be magenta because of the white balance setting.
That's where a flash gel comes in.
By adding a green gel to the flash, the magenta tones are balanced out, resulting in an image with nice, neutral coloring.
Whether you're shooting outdoors under natural lighting or indoors under artificial lighting, flash gels give you more power to light the scene as you wish for a final effect that matches your creative vision. In short, it will make your life as a photographer much easier!
Battery Grip
Once you shoot with a battery grip, you'll never go without one again.
The obvious benefit of a battery grip is that you get twice the battery power for twice as much shooting. In fact, some models allow you to power your camera off of AA batteries, which is a handy feature when you're in a pinch and have no way to charge your camera's traditional batteries. It's hard to argue with that kind of value when talking about making it easier for you to get the shots you need.
But apart from letting you shoot longer, a battery grip can improve the ergonomics of your camera by giving you a chunky handhold for shooting in portrait mode. With a more stable, solid grip, you can create images that are better composed and likely sharper because you'll have a firm hold of your camera.
What's more, battery grips often come with shutter release buttons and dials integrated into the grip, so you can more easily control your camera settings when taking hold of it using the battery grip. See this and other advantages of using a battery grip in the video above by TheSnapChick.
Sometimes you just simply need to shoot in portrait format, and a battery grip allows you to do that with more control and confidence, the result of which is better photos each and every time.
In the end, our ability to create stunning photos is dependent upon a number of factors, including the gear we carry with us. Set yourself up for success by using accessories like those outlined above which make it easier to carry your gear, create the look you want in your photos, and work longer with improved results.