When it comes down to it, whether you just picked up your first camera this morning or you've been at this photography thing for decades, we all have one thing in common...

We're all trying to get better.

The great thing about photography is that it's incredibly accessible - anyone can get started in photography at any time.

But the process of perfecting photography skills - or at least getting as close to perfect as possible - is one that is time-intensive.

Having said that, there are a few things you can do right now, today, which will have an immediate, positive impact on the photos you take, regardless of whether you're a newbie or a seasoned veteran.

Get Arsenal

What if I told you that there's an upcoming photography gadget that simplifies the process of taking a photo?

And by "simplify," I mean revolutionize the way photos are taken.

It's called Arsenal, and it's the world's first AI photography assistant.

Here's how it works...

With one tap of your finger in the Arsenal smartphone app, Arsenal finds the ideal settings to take a photo for the present situation.

That means that it takes care of all the "behind the scenes" stuff so you can focus on fulfilling your creative vision by focusing your attention on improved composition, framing, and so forth.

It's able to do that by intelligently searching thousands of images in its database. Once it has a baseline of suggested settings, Arsenal fine-tunes the settings by analyzing 18 separate factors, from dynamic range to diffraction to the motion of the subject.

In other words, using state-of-the-art machine learning, Arsenal helps you take better photos, no matter the shooting conditions.

Heck, Arsenal even allows you to tackle photo-stacking in-camera in just a few seconds - a process that up to this point was a laborious one done in post-processing. That gives you the ability to get deep depth of field, images that are in focus from front to back, and long exposures without having to buy a filter.

Not bad, right?

But here's the best part...

Arsenal doesn't just do it all for you. It helps you learn.

Once you take a photo with arsenal, you can review the settings it used to get the shot to help you better understand things like exposure, white balance, and the like.

And when you develop the skills to control your camera's settings manually, Arsenal lets you do that too - wirelessly right from your phone.

Add in live preview on your mobile device, easy sharing of your photos to social media, and quick time-lapse video creation, and you've got the makings for an incredibly powerful photography device.

I know, it almost sounds too good to be true. But just look at the featured image at the beginning of this article as proof that Arsenal knows what it's doing.

If you need more convincing of the power of Arsenal, just check out the video above and see this thing in action!

Learn more about Arsenal and support its Kickstarter campaign.

Challenge Yourself

Another great way to expand your photography skills and take better photos is to simply challenge yourself to try new things.

This could be something as simple as changing the eye level of your shots like the photographer above is doing.

It could also mean getting out of your comfort zone...

It's one thing to get comfortable taking a certain kind of photos, like landscapes.

But it's another thing entirely to be able to take all kinds of different photos, from landscapes to portraits to macro.

Now, I'm not saying that you need to pursue every type of photography and become a Jedi master at all of them. Rather, pushing your boundaries to other areas of photography will help you develop the most critical skills needed to get better photos.

For example, if you primarily shoot landscapes, taking on portraiture will help you more fully develop your understanding of aperture and depth of field.

Shooting moving subjects like athletes or passing cars will similarly give you experience working with shutter speed and how to freeze or blur motion.

By putting yourself in challenging situations, you can use the knowledge and skills you acquire and apply them to the types of photos you most enjoy taking.

Using the landscape photography example, you can more knowledgeably use aperture to perfect the depth of field in your shots by virtue of your portrait work. Similarly, you can use what you learned practicing shutter speed in sports photography to create beautiful motion effects in your landscapes.

The point is that if you want to create better photos, you can't get comfortable. Challenge yourself to learn and be more creative, and your photos will be the better for it.

Use a Prime Lens

A prime lens is a great learning tool, especially if you're new or relatively new to photography.

Where the kit lens that came with your camera is some type of a zoom, a prime lens has a fixed focal length, like 24mm, 50mm, 85mm, and so on.

That means that you have to physically move around your subject - getting nearer and farther away - to get the shot you wish.

Not only will this get you out of your comfort zone and challenge you as I noted in the previous section, but it will also help you think more purposefully about how you want to frame the shot.

For more advanced photographers, a prime lens is advantageous because it will usually produce sharper images than a zoom lens. Notice how sharp the flowers are in the shot below. This is due in part to the sharpness of the 50mm prime lens that was used to take the photo.

What's more, by shooting at the same focal length for each shot, your images have a consistent look and feel. That's helpful if you're putting together a portfolio or taking a series of photos.

Regardless of your level of experience in photography, having a good prime lens (or two) is a great investment.

And speaking of investments, here's a bonus tip: don't spend your money on accumulating a ton of gear.

Instead, focus on getting the gear that will help you advance your skills - a camera body, a couple of lenses, a solid tripod, and, of course, Arsenal.

Do that and follow the tips outlined above, and you'll be well on your way to creating images that have a ton of impact!

If you ask me, we're living in the golden age of photography.

I say that because of the sheer number of incredible photography gadgets that come out each year.

Sure, some gadgets are all show and no tell.

In other words, many of them are just flash-in-the-pan gizmos that don't really offer much in the way of actually helping you improve your images.

But other photography gadgets are truly groundbreaking.

Let's have a look at four of the most exciting photography accessories for 2017.

Arsenal

At the top of the "amazing photography gadget list" has to be Arsenal.

This little piece of hardware sits atop your camera quite innocently, but don't let its small stature fool you.

This is one amazing piece of hardware for photographers of all skill levels...

Arsenal is the world's first AI photography assistant.

That means that its sole purpose is to help you create the types of photos (and timelapses!) you dream about.

Arsenal is controlled via smartphone, so there's no more hunching over to see the camera controls on the LCD.

Instead, with one touch of your smartphone screen, Arsenal will determine the best settings to take a photo - in any shooting conditions.

No matter if it's bright or dark, inside or outside, a portrait or a landscape, or something in between, Arsenal will take care of the camera settings for you to get a pleasing image.

That means two things...

First, you don't have to get flustered trying to remember how to manually adjust things like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Arsenal does it for you.

And second, because you don't have to worry about the technical aspects of photography, you can focus more on the artistic aspects, like composition and framing.

Think of it like having a teammate to help you take better photos.

In a word, this thing is mind-blowing.

Using artificial intelligence, Arsenal searches thousands of images in its database to determine the baseline settings for your shot.

From there, it analyzes 18 essential photography settings to fine-tune the image.

Better still, Arsenal handles HDR, long exposure photography, and timelapse videos, too.

But hey, don't just take my word for it. As of this writing, the Arsenal Kickstarter campaign has exceeded its goal by $540,000. Not bad, eh?

Learn more about Arsenal.

Pictar

For all you iPhone photography enthusiasts out there, Pictar is an interesting gadget to consider adding to your kit.

As you can see in the image above, Pictar is a grip for your iPhone - and much more.

Not only does Pictar add an ergonomic grip to your phone for easier and more stable holding when shooting, but it also gives you the ability to add DSLR-like capabilities to your phone.

That includes a multi-state shutter release, a zoom ring, and a dedicated exposure compensation wheel.

Better still, Pictar has a "smart wheel" that has a variety of beginner and advanced photography modes from which to choose.

That includes special portrait and landscape modes, video mode, shutter priority mode, and even full manual mode.

There's even an integrated tripod socket and a cold-shoe mount for even more creative photography opportunities with your phone.

Learn more about Pictar.

Relio

As we all know, photography is all about light, and Relio is a light unlike anything you've ever seen.

The tiny little box sitting atop the tripod in the image above offers studio-quality beam shape and color.

There are no artifacts, no unevenness of colors - just pure, beautiful light you can use for any array of photos.

Equally as impressive is that this thing is completely portable.

It's powered via USB, so you can use it with virtually any device from your DSLR to your TV.

It has a standard 1/4-20 tripod thread mount as well, so you can easily mount Relio to aim light just how you want.

In other words, it's small, versatile, and with an all-aluminum construction, it's durable too.

Learn more about Relio.

DJI Spark Mini Drone

If you thought that the only way to make photography easier was to get land-based gadgets, you were wrong...

DJI makes some pretty incredible drones, and their Spark Mini Drone is no exception.

For starters, the drone launches from the palm of your hand after recognizing your face via FaceAware technology.

Once Spark is in the air, you use hand gestures of all things to command it to take photos. That means no more clunky remotes - just use your hands!

For more complex photo or video pursuits, the Spark has a companion smartphone app with intelligent flight modes that allow you to create gorgeous results with just a few taps of your phone screen.

For videophiles, you can use the DJI Go 4 app to edit videos on the fly and share them to social media immediately.

The best part is that Spark isn't just about taking photos and videos. It's about taking good photos and videos.

It has a 2-axis mechanical gimbal that reduces shake to get you sharper results.

Spark also has a powerful lens that produces sharp, vivid images with little distortion or color aberration. And with a f/2.6 maximum aperture, you can use it to shoot even in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.

Add to that 16 minutes of flight time and the ability to create panoramic images and shallow depth of field, you have a gadget that's fully capable of helping you get jaw-dropping aerial shots.

Learn more about the DJI Spark Mini Drone.

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I get asked all the time what beginner photographers need to maximize their success when they take photos.

That's sort of a loaded question, though, given that there seems to be a virtually endless supply of photography accessories, gadgets, and gizmos available today.

That being said, a lot of the accessories on the market aren't what I would call absolute necessities...

Assuming that you already have a camera and a lens, I've got three must-have accessories that will complete your kit and enable you to pursue photography as a more prepared photographer.

Arsenal

Part of the difficulty of learning photography is that there's just so much to learn.

I know when I was just starting out, I was constantly overwhelmed trying to remember what each mode on my camera did or how to get the exposure settings just right or how to calculate hyperfocal distance.

In other words, it took me a long, long time to master the basic and advanced knowledge I needed to advance my photography.

But we live in a day and age in which we can use technology to help advance our understanding of photography, thereby speeding up the learning process all the while taking better photos.

That endeavor is made possible by Arsenal, the world's first AI photography assistant. Meet Arsenal in the video below:

Arsenal uses artificial intelligence to determine the best settings for a photo in any situation.

It does this by searching thousands upon thousands of images in the Arsenal database to get a set of suggested camera settings. From there, Arsenal analyzes 18 different factors to get the best shot.

So, where other gadgets help with camera settings and others help with image stabilization and others help with determining depth of field, Arsenal does it all - and more.

In addition to helping you nail the settings for a still photo, Arsenal allows you to stack photos in-camera. That means that if you want a photo that's got a deep depth of field, Arsenal will lead the way, taking several exposures and blending them together for a final shot that's in focus from front to back.

What's more, Arsenal allows you to tackle long exposure photography, all without buying expensive filters. You can even take time-lapse videos, too.

But Arsenal isn't just a gadget that does everything on your behalf. Instead, you can use it to learn more about photography.

For example, you can inspect the settings that are used to get each shot so you can develop a clearer idea of what settings to use in what situations.

Furthermore, you can control your camera's settings wirelessly from the Arsenal smartphone app. That means you can control things like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, and see how your adjustments impact the final images in real-time with the live preview on your smartphone.

Think of Arsenal as the ultimate photography device that teaches you how to be a better photographer. What's not to like about that?

A Tripod

When it comes to improving the sharpness of your photos, there's really no better accessory to use than a tripod.

Think about it - mounted to a stable tripod, your camera has the secure base it needs to render tack-sharp photos.

This isn't to say that it's impossible to get sharp photos without a tripod, but having your camera out of your hand and on a tripod will certainly help.

Not only does a tripod help prevent camera shake and enable you to use longer exposure times in low-light shooting situations, but it also forces you to slow down a little bit when you take photos.

Even just the few extra seconds it takes you to set up the tripod is enough to help you think a little more purposefully about how you want to approach the shot. That's true whether you're photographing people, animals, landscapes, or something in between.

After all, a little patience and concentration will go a long way in improving your photos.

Additionally, a tripod enables you to explore new areas of photography that would otherwise be impossible.

Long exposures, time-lapse videos, astrophotography, panoramas...you name it, a tripod makes it easier to take higher-quality shots, particularly when you use Arsenal and a tripod together!

For beginners, a solid, yet lightweight tripod like the Sirui T-1005X is a good choice because it's a full sized tripod that folds down to an impossibly small size, which is great for traveling, landscape photography, or even quick shots of the kids playing sports.

What's more, it's worth looking for a tripod that allows you to take on low-angle photography, so look for one with a center column that can be inverted to get extra low to the ground.

You also want to keep an eye out for multi-position leg angles. That's a helpful feature so you can still get your camera nice and level even if the terrain isn't.

Essentially, when looking for a tripod, you want something robust yet lightweight, feature-packed yet not too expensive. You'd be surprised just how much your photos might improve once you start using a tripod!

A Camera Bag

Of course, you need something to carry your gear around, and making sure that your bag is specifically designed for carrying camera gear is an absolute must.

I see far too many beginning photographers use any old bag or backpack for transporting their gear, and it makes me cringe.

It's just not a safe, secure way to carry delicate camera gear. Trust me, I should know because I did the very same thing when I started out!

You don't want your gear jostling around in a big pile in your bag. Instead, you want it nice and snug in a camera bag where there's bumpers to separate each component and padded walls to prevent damage from bumps along the way.

Something like the Vanguard Havana 33 Messenger Bag shown above and below is a great beginner bag because it's well-built, versatile, and inexpensive to boot.

Inside, you'll find room for a DSLR with lens attached, additional space for another lens, a flash, and various other camera accessories, including a 13-inch laptop. Plus, you see those padded dividers and walls I mentioned above...

There's also dedicated pockets for things like camera cleaning supplies, money, car keys, and so forth. The interior is also lightly colored so it's easier to find what you're looking for. Those are must-have interior features if you ask me.

Outside, the bag has a padded shoulder strap for comfortable carrying, two water bottle pockets for long days out shooting, and an integrated rain cover to keep your gear dry.

Something else to think about is getting a transformable bag so you can use it as an everyday messenger bag too. It also doesn't hurt to have a bag that doesn't look like a camera bag, that way you can keep would-be thieves at bay.

When it comes down to it, there's a lot to consider in a camera bag - functionality, comfort, and aesthetics among them. But whatever type of camera bag you choose, just be sure that it is big enough for your current needs and has room to accommodate your growth as a photographer for years to come.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to take better photos means dedicating yourself to actually taking photos and equipping yourself with gear that makes better photos more likely.

As you learned earlier, Arsenal is certainly a photographer's tool that can help you take control of your creative vision to create some stunning photos and videos.

Add to that a solid tripod, and you've got what you need to create tack-sharp images each time you go out to shoot.

Of course, a camera bag isn't going to help you take a better photo per se, but it will sure help prevent your gear from getting damaged. After all, if your gear is broken, you won't be taking any photos at all!

I know, I know...

At the time of writing, it's just barely September, so what am I doing outlining gifts for the holiday season?

Hey, someone has to get the ball rolling, so it might as well be me!

Besides, photographers can be a fickle bunch, so you might need a little extra time to decide exactly what it is you'll be gifting come December.

Here's a few top ideas for photographers that are priced under $250...

Vanguard Alta Sky 66 Backpack

Photographers typically have a lot of gear to carry, so a great gift idea is the gift of an awesome camera backpack!

The Vanguard Alta Sky 66 is full of features that photographers will appreciate.

Not only can it hold a ton of gear - a super telephoto lens, a pro DSLR body, a tripod, and a tablet - but it also has tons of dedicated pockets, organizers, and connectors for carrying all the essentials.

The ergonomic Air System back, harness, and waist belt helps keep all that weight evenly distributed for a "never tire" carrying experience that will allow your favorite photographer to shoot all day long.

And when they're out shooting, they'll enjoy the safety of double security buckles, the full rear opening and top access for easily finding gear, and the bright yellow interior that makes it easy to find what you need.

Add to that an integrated tripod carrying system, a rain cover, and water bottle pockets, and you have the makings of the ultimate camera backpack for the adventurous photographer in your life!

Learn more about the Vanguard Alta Sky 66 Backpack.

Sew Trendy Fashion & Accessories Angela Gown

Belly Beautiful by Karen Marie

No matter if you’re looking for a gift for your favorite photographer or you have a special lady in your life that’s expecting, the Angela gown by Sew Trendy is a wonderful gift idea.

The gown is extra long, with a chiffon fabric skirt that cascades from the knee, giving it an elegant look. The sweetheart top and slim fit construction means that the volume on the bottom of the dress is paired beautifully with a form-fitting upper design.

The off-the-shoulder droop sleeves add a bit of sexiness, though other sleeve options are available to suit different tastes. As you can see in the image above, it’s a gorgeous gown for expecting moms (and it’s available as a non-maternity dress, too!). It’s also an ideal gift idea for the photographer in your life that needs to build a wardrobe for portrait shoots!

Learn more about the Sew Trendy Angela Gown.

Sirui T-025X Tripod

If you have a friend or family member that enjoys photography, a great holiday gift is a top-notch tripod that offers their camera a lot of support, but doesn’t take up a bunch of room in their camera bag, either.

The Sirui T-025X is a great example of an ultra-compact tripod - it’s just 12.2 inches long when folded - that has a ton of features that photographers demand.

The removable center column allows the tripod to be used on a tabletop, and also enables photographers to get in close for low-angle shots and macro photography. What’s more, it’s got automatic leg angle locking mechanisms and three leg angle positions for fast and easy setup, even on uneven terrain.

This tripod is made of ultra lightweight 8-layer carbon fiber, so it’s strong but isn’t bulky. The tripod comes with a C-10S ball head, a quick release plate, a bottom hook for adding a weight bag for improved balance, and more!

And at just $199.99, this tripod represents excellent value!

Learn more about the Sirui T-025X Tripod.

Holdfast MoneyMaker Multi-Camera Strap

Made with pride in Oklahoma, the Holdfast MoneyMaker is the ultimate gift for photographers that live their life on the go.

The MoneyMaker is crafted from fine materials like Bridle Leather, which is durable, supple, and looks great.

The MoneyMaker system keeps your favorite photographer's cameras right at his or her sides where they can be reached easily and are out of the way.

The anchored stainless steel D-rings and safety straps mean that the MoneyMaker keeps expensive gear safe as well.

It's comfortable to wear, too - the leather materials, in particular, "learn" the contours of your body over time, resulting in a supreme fit that takes the pain out of carrying two or even three cameras.

And aside from all its practical and functional features, the MoneyMaker simply looks like a million bucks!

Learn more about the Holdfast MoneyMaker Bridle Leather Multi-Camera Strap.

Arsenal Intelligent Camera Assistant

If you've got someone to shop for that's into photography and cutting-edge gadgetry, the Arsenal AI Photography Assistant is the perfect gift.

Essentially, Arsenal uses artificial intelligence to figure out what camera settings are ideal for any situation.

It does so by searching thousands and thousands of images in the Arsenal database and developing suggested settings based on 18 crucial factors that have a role in how an image looks.

That means that Arsenal can help you determine everything from exposure settings to dealing with diffraction to focus stacking and so much more.

You can even take on long exposure photography and time-lapse videos, too.

In other words, this is the dream photography gadget for just about any photographer!

Learn more about Arsenal Intelligent Camera Assistant.

MPB - GoPro HERO 4 Silver

GoPro is synonymous with capturing breathtaking photos and videos of extreme adventures. That makes it the perfect gift idea for the adrenaline junkies on your holiday list.

The HERO4 Silver was made with action and adventure in mind. Not only is it incredibly lightweight - making it highly portable - but it’s also especially designed to record sharp, detailed HD video.

You can attach the HERO4 Silver to just about anything, too, making it one of the most versatile action cameras out there. Better still, you can get incredible deals on pre-owned HERO 4 Silvers and stretch your holiday budget further in the process!

Learn more about the GoPro HERO4 Silver from MPB.

nPhoto Creative 100% Collection DreamBook

What better way to say Happy Holidays than by offering your special someone a gorgeous, custom-made photo book?

The nPhoto DreamBook features ultra high-resolution 4K images, high-quality binding, and gorgeously vivid colors printed on genuine Canon paper using Canon’s DreamLab 5000 printer. You even get to choose among glossy, lustre, and satin papers to customize the look of the album even further.

With a handmade canvas wrap hardcover, up to 40 layflat spreads to show off your images, availability in four sizes that range from 8x8 to 18x12, and a price tag that starts at less than $250, the nPhoto DreamBook is a highly customizable gift that any fan of photography is sure to love!

Learn more about the nPhoto Creative 100% Collection DreamBook.

nPhoto Exclusive Collection Photo Album

The photos that your loved ones hold dear deserve to be showcased in an album that suits their specific tastes and preferences. As a result, a highly customizable photo album is a prime gift idea for the upcoming holiday season.

The nPhoto Exclusive Collection Photo Album gives you all sorts of customization options. You can choose amongst a number of beautiful covers that give the album a custom look. Opt for a cut-out window to reveal a favorite photo and select a laminate or acrylic finish to show off that image. With 10-80 pages, these albums can accommodate a wide-ranging number of images as well.

The Exclusive Collection Photo Album with layflat panoramic spreads further offers details like laser-etched designs, metal corners, and different options for the cover window cutout, too.

With both Fujicolor Crystal Archive Digital Paper and Fujicolor Crystal Archive Digital Pearl papers available, you can rest assured that the photos in the album will be sharp, crisp and full of color, and that those features will last a very, very long time.

Help your loved ones enjoy their photos this holiday by giving the gift of a high-quality photo album. With more than 50 combinations of features and pricing that starts at $175, it’s the perfect holiday gift idea!

Learn more about the nPhoto Exclusive Collection Photo Album.

Artbeat Studios HD Metal Print

Looking for a gift with a ton of visual appeal without it having a huge impact on your bank account? Look no further than an HD Metal Print from Artbeat Studios!

The great thing about an HD metal print is that it can be put just about anywhere in a home or office and immediately draw the attention of anyone that sees it. That’s due to the high-quality materials that Artbeat Studios uses to craft their prints.

For example, you can choose between a glossy or matte finish, where a glossy treatment adds depth to the image and creates a lot of drama and a matte finish eliminates glare and offers a more subtle viewing experience.

What’s more, you can choose from natural or black wood wall mounts, or if you prefer, silver or black aluminum wall mounts to further customize how the print looks. The mounts can be recessed from the edge of the print to give it the appearance that it’s floating on the wall, or you can opt to have the mount flush with the edges of the print to give it a little more depth and heft.

No matter how you choose to customize the print, it’ll be well worth the money!

Learn more about Artbeat Studios HD Metal Prints.

Syrp Super Dark Variable ND Filter

As far as variable neutral density filters go, this holiday season, Syrp’s Super Dark Variable ND is the best buy around.

That’s because it has a range of 5-10 stops of exposure so that you can adapt it to your particular shooting needs. Adaptability is further seen in its range of sizes - the small size suits 52, 58, and 67mm lenses and the large suits 72, 77, and 82mm - and the fact that the filter has threads on it for stacking purposes.

The Super Dark is made of high-quality Japanese glass, meaning you get precise, clear, color-neutral results that make your long exposures and time-lapse videos look exceptionally good.

Add in a lens cloth and a genuine leather carrying case, and you’ve got one heck of a filter setup!

Learn more about the Syrp Super Dark Variable ND Filter.

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