Film has made a resurgence in the last few years, as young people have taken to the “old ways” as a quaint method of capturing photos.

But for those of us that have a few years of life under our belt, we learned how to take photos with film and slides. Many of us were also lucky enough to learn how to process film in a darkroom.

It used to be that breathing life into old negatives and slides was a laborious process that resulted in images that weren’t all that great in the quality department. Just give this article from our friends over at Handlepod a read to discover just how hard it used to be - and how easy it has become - to see what I mean. And, after you read that article, have a look at a few tools of the trade that make the processes of negative-to-print and slide-to-print fast and easy:

Epson Perfection V600

The Epson V600 Color Photo, Image, Film, Negative & Document Scanner has 6400 x 9600 dpi, so you can easily enlarge prints. But that’s not the best feature of this top-of-the-line best-selling scanner. It can also scan slides, negatives, and medium-format panoramic film. No matter what form your old images take, you can convert them to digital in no time! Restore faded color with the touch of a single button or import your newly digitized photos into your post-processing software of choice to make more thorough restorations. It’s that easy.

Wolverine SNAP20

If you want to digitize your old photos but have a smaller budget, the Wolverine Snap20 Digital Image Converter gets high marks for its quick work of slides and images. In just five seconds, your old images will be in digital form, ready for you to make improvements as you see fit. You don’t even need a computer or any kind of software - the Wolverine Snap20 is a completely standalone device.

ClearClick

For those who are extremely budget conscious but have tons of old 35mm negatives or slides to convert, the ClearClick Film to USB Converter is a fast, simple solution. ClearClick allows you to save the scanned images directly to a memory card so that you can scan your old photos independently of a computer. Then, when you’re ready to tackle sorting and post-processing, just pop the memory card in a reader and off you go!

With that, you have a good place to start with regard to digitizing your old photos. No more excuses! Bring old memories into the modern world with one of these easy photo scanning solutions.

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Let’s face it - photographers have tons of gear. Even if you’re just headed out for the afternoon to take a few casual photos, you’ve still got a laundry list of items that you will definitely need. In addition to that, there’s an even longer list of items that you may or may not need for that particular shoot.

It’s a lot to keep track of, so to be sure you’re as prepared as can be for your next photo shoot, consider this list of 12 essentials you simply can’t leave at home.

Small Tripod

There are times when you need a full-sized tripod to get the job done. But there are plenty of other times when a small tripod is more than sufficient. Though there are tons of miniature tripods out there, one of our favorites is HandlePod.

The beauty of HandlePod is that you can use it in a variety of ways. Shoot hands-free by attaching it to a fencepost or another stationary object using the built-in elastic cord. Hold HandlePod in your hand and use it as a stabilizing grip for low-light photos or even for shooting video. Of course, you can also use HandlePod as a stabilizer by pressing the handle up against a flat object for a fast and easy way to keep your camera from shaking while you shoot. You can even use it to stabilize your smartphone. It’s simply that versatile! Learn more about HandlePod by visiting their website.

Collapsible Reflector

If you take portraits, a collapsible reflector will be one of your top tools. Many reflectors come in a 5-in-1 kit with various colors that give you different types and intensities of light, including gold and silver. Even better, you can use a black reflector to add shadowing or a white reflector to diffuse light, all of which fold up into a tidy package that’s easy to carry.

Blower

No matter where you go, no matter what you’re photographing, your lens and camera will get dusty. All that dust needs to be removed somehow, and a blower is the best way to do that. Just a few puffs from a blower can get a good portion of the dust off your lens glass and camera sensor. And the more dust you can get rid of, the less likely it is to show up in your images (or negatively impact the functioning of your gear). As a result, a blower is a must-have accessory for any photography outing!

Cleaning Cloth

As important as it is to get rid of dust, it’s equally important to ensure your lens glass is absolutely clean. Fingerprints and smudges can render otherwise gorgeous photos useless, so having a lens cloth or two with you will help you do some housekeeping with your lenses as you’re out shooting. Don’t forget the lens cleaning solution either!

External Flash

Some photographers think that an external flash is only good for portraits. That’s simply not the case! In addition to portraits, you can use an external flash for macro photography, street photography, and even wildlife photography and landscapes. Use it as your primary light source, use it to supplement existing ambient light, or use it in conjunction with natural lighting as a good source for fill light. Whatever the case, having a good, powerful external flash can pay dividends.

Remote

There will be times when you need to set up your camera and have the ability to trigger the shutter from a distance. Whether you’re taking a self-portrait, capturing a landscape, or something in between, a remote ensures that you don’t bump the camera in the process of pressing the shutter. The result? Sharper photos! Some remotes are simple and just fire the shutter. Others let you create time-lapse videos or fire the shutter in stages. Whatever type of remote you choose, it is sure to become one of the most-often used accessories you have.

Focusing Screen

If you have difficulty keeping your horizons level, a focusing screen can help you resolve that issue. All you do is install it inside your camera, and voila! You’ve got gridlines to help you compose horizontal and vertical aspect photos. What’s more, the focusing screen doesn’t interfere with your ability to see autofocus points, nor does it diminish the quality of your images. It can help you keep your camera straight when shooting video too.

Extra Batteries

If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll only be gone an hour” and decided not to take extra batteries, only to have your camera power down in the midst of shooting, you know the pain (and embarrassment) of not having extra juice with you. You don’t want to miss any opportunities for amazing photos, but you’re guaranteed to do so if you don’t have the power your camera needs to work. Add one or two extra batteries to your bag just to be sure. After all, you might intend to shoot for an hour and find many hours later that you’re still out there.

Lens Hood

Lens hoods are a must-have accessory because they perform two major functions. First, on rainy or snowy days, they can protect your lens, keeping the glass dry so you don’t have water droplets appearing in your photos. Second, on sunny days, they cut down on sun flare and reduce contrast. Beyond that, if your camera slips out of your hand and lands lens first, a camera hood might just mean the difference between a lens that survives and one that has a broken front element.

Memory Card Wallet

Memory cards might be big on storage space, but their small size makes them easy to get lost or damaged. A memory card wallet solves that problem by keeping all your cards safe, clean, and secure in one space. Keep the memory wallet tucked in your camera bag, and quickly swap cards so you’re sure you don’t miss any of the action.

Hand Strap

Carrying your camera with it dangling around your neck isn’t just uncomfortable, but it could also damage your camera by inadvertently hitting it on something. And, sometimes, you just need to have the ability to move quickly, and using a hand strap allows you to do just that. Whether you’re working your way down the sideline at your kid’s football game or wandering the streets of your city photographing architecture, carrying your camera with it secured to your hand is super comfortable and makes it easy to bring your camera to the shooting position too.

Rain Cover

Even if you live in an area that only gets occasional moisture, a rain cover is a very sound investment. The last thing you want is for your time to shoot be cut short because you’re unprepared for a little shower. Even a little bit of drizzle or spray from a waterfall can be incredibly damaging to your camera. Give it the protection it needs to serve you for years to come with a rain cover. It will even help protect against snow and dust!

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Have camera, will travel, right?

Even if you don't fly off to exotic locations with your photography gear in tow, there's a few items that will make your task of documenting your journey much, much easier.

From lenses to filters to travel tripods and everything in between, there's quite a bit of gear that's essential to get the shots you want.

It would be just about impossible to list off all the necessities you need (let alone all the cool gadgets that would be just plain fun to have).

However, what I can do is offer up a few suggestions for gear that will come in handy on your travels.

A Prime Lens

If you ask me, lenses today are better than ever, and regardless of the kind of camera system you have, there's better selection, too.

But for my money, there's no better travel photography lens than a short prime like a 24mm, 35mm, or 50mm.

Prime lenses offer plenty of benefits that will help you get better photos on your travels.

For starters, they're small and light, allowing you to carry them around for longer periods of time without getting as fatigued.

Many prime lenses also have very large maximum apertures, many of which are wider than f/2, so you can operate in low-light conditions and still get quality photos.

See why the 40mm pancake lens is a favorite travel lens of Monique Pantel in the video below:

Since they have fewer internal elements, prime lenses also produce images that are gorgeously sharp - something that's tougher to do with a zoom lens.

But perhaps best of all, without the benefit of a zoom, a prime lens forces you to think about each composition. You have to move around, look for interesting ways to frame the subject, and basically just work harder at your craft.

That's a great way to get a good shot and to improve your photography skills too.

Get some deeper insights into the value of shooting with a prime lens in this detailed guide.

A Good Filter Kit

A great way to enhance the quality of your photos even further is to outfit your prime lens with a filter.

Better still, take along a complete travel photography filter kit like the Elia Locardi Signature Edition by Formatt-Hitech, and you'll be outfitted for all kinds of travel photography situations.

Tackle long exposures with a 4-stop or a 10-stop neutral density filter that allows you to create gorgeous, movement-filled images like the one above.

Whether you want to blur water, show off lights of passing cars, or highlight the movement of the clouds across the sky, these filters fit the bill.

The Elia Locardi Signature Edition also comes with a soft-edge graduated neutral density filter. That means when you're shooting landscapes, you can more easily tame the dynamic range between the bright sky and the darker landscape.

That means you can spend less time processing your landscape shots to get control over the dynamic range and more time actually outside taking photos as you travel!

This incredible filter kit comes with other goodies too...

If you opt for the 100mm version (shown above), you also get Formatt-Hitech's amazing Firecrest 100mm filter holder, three step rings, a rotating adaptor ring, and a Firecrest 82mm ultraslim polarizing filter, which helps minimize glare and gives the sky a nice boost of contrast.

In other words, it's the complete filter kit you need for all sorts of photography exploits on your travels.

Travel Tripod

There are occasions when you travel when it's simply not practical to have a full-sized tripod.

What's more, you might not want to carry a full-sized tripod (even a travel one) around with you all day long.

But you still need something to stabilize your camera to ensure you get the sharpest images possible.

Enter HandlePod...

You can use HandlePod in a bunch of different ways to get better photos.

Use it as a grip for your camera so you can shoot still photos and videos with greater stability.

Place it on a table or another flat surface and use it as a quadpod too.

Heck, you can even just press it against a tree or another vertical surface to stabilize your camera for the shot.

It even comes with an integrated elastic cord, so you can lash it to a stationary object and get a few great group photos or selfies.

In other words, it's not just a handy tripod, but it's a multifunctional tool that will help you get better shots in more ways than one.

Making the Most of Your Travels

Travel photography isn't just fun because of the incredible variety of subjects you get to photograph.

It's fun because of all the gorgeous sights you get to see and the people you get to meet along the way.

There's a lot more photography accessories that will improve your ability to get better shots on your travels.

However, with a better lens, a good set of filters, and a sturdy little tripod, you'll be in a position to take better photos virtually immediately.

Now all that's left is to plan your trip and book your flight!

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Any active photographic expedition can be exhausting. Events shooters, wedding photographers and sports photographers can really feel the effects of a shoot when it's done. For those of us shooting landscapes and wildlife, the hike in can be pretty brutal. Adding 40 or so pounds in camera gear only makes the job more tiring. Here are a few tips for shedding some pounds in your pack or bag.

Leave the laptop at home or in the room.

I know some readers will cringe at this one, if not for the fact that they can't break the chain to the device, then because it's hard to leave something valuable unattended. If you're not at home, most hotels will have safes or other secure storage options included with your room charges or for a small fee. Not only will you eliminate a few pounds, you'll be protecting your computer from the potential damage that might be caused by packing it around. Let go for a little while and carry a few spare memory cards so you don't have to worry about downloading.

Use a tripod alternative.

Yes, I know, those mini tripods often just don't do the trick, and beanbags, etc. can be just as heavy as a full-size tripod. If you're packing around a big telephoto zoom or prime, you're going to need solid stabilization and that three-legged monster is hard to beat. It isn't the only choice, though, especially if you're not carrying really heavy glass. Check out this article for a good discussion on alternatives.

Use a zoom when a zoom will do.

We all know that prime lenses are the first choice when it comes to image quality. On the other hand, unless you're birding or imaging planets, you might be able to sacrifice a little bit of sharpness in exchange for a big difference in weight. Street and travel photography, event shooting and many other genres will let you get by with a little big of softness if your image tells a quality story. You can also do some sharpening in post processing. Find a good walkaround zoom to cover the range you'll be most likely to use and leave the primes at home when you're going to be really active or packing your gear a long way.

Redistribute the weight

Sometimes reducing fatigue is simply a matter of weight distribution. There are a great number of good camera holsters, harnesses and other ingenious rigs engineered for placing the weight on the strongest areas of your body. There's a good chance that by using more than one carrying point, you can haul the same amount of equipment without feeling so much strain.

These are far from the only ideas you can consider for making the task of lugging your gear around easier. They are, however, quick solutions that should help you feel a little relief with just a little bit of effort.

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DSLR cameras and even smartphones are more capable of producing cinema-quality video than ever – so much so that videography is becoming a great niche for many photographers. If you're exploring the possibilities of creating video with your smartphone or digital camera, you'll find that it's very much like photography in one respect: You'll need to do more than just record things to make your movies interesting. We're going to offer a few tips for that in this article.

Add high-quality audio.

Your phone has a built-in microphone and chances are your DSLR does, too, so capturing audio along with your movies doesn't require anything extra. Unfortunately, most of these built-ins fall short when it comes to quality. Straining to hear the sound track for your video isn't going to keep your audience riveted.

Unidirectional (aka directional) microphones are available at a reasonable cost for both smartphones and digital cameras. These help eliminate unwanted background noise and boost the audio in the direction of the subject. You'll appreciate the difference in sound quality and so will your viewers. Click the image above for a good example for your smartphone. DSLR users, check out this one.

If you're interested in recording all the sounds around you, for instance the bird songs and such in an outdoor video, you'll want to go with an omnidirectional microphone. Take a look at these examples: DSLR mic or smartphone mic.

Interact with your subjects.

In the right situation, you can make your video more interesting by speaking with or otherwise interacting with the subject you're recording. Interviews, of course, are a good example, but that's generally more a matter of necessity. How about things like playing with your new baby or tossing a ball for your pet? I'm sure you can think of your own scenarios.

Having a hand free to do that is an obvious advantage. I suggest taking a look at HandlePod for a great and inexpensive way to free up one hand while keeping the camera or phone stable with the other. In fact, you should check out their blog article on the subject.

Try a different point of view.

Like still images, videos shot from an eye-level point of view can be boring. Get into the habit of exploring all the angles before you start recording. You can add a new sense of dynamics simply by finding the right vantage point to put your viewers in the scene for sports videos. A video or time-lapse sequence of a beautiful woodland scene might be even more exciting from a low (or high) perspective. Always be conscious of the possibilities and try to avoid the mundane view.

Go widescreen.

The aspect ratio of your video can make a tremendous difference. Widescreen movies were created to immerse viewers in the experience and that's one of the reasons that high-end recording devices have the 16:9 option available.

If your phone or camera gives you this option, select it when you're going to shoot video. The difference when it's played back on a wide-screen television or computer monitor will be amazing.

Have fun!

The simple tactics above will make an immediate difference in the way viewers connect with your videos. It's also important to remember that the bet way to help your viewers enjoy the experience is to enjoy it yourself. Creativity is all about passion, so record what reflects yours!

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There are times when even the best photographers get caught “with our pants down” or more specifically, unprepared when that great shot comes along. The prime example of this situation is probably stumbling on a golden opportunity for a low-light or long-exposure shot while you don't have your tripod. There are those times and places where the camera bag is easy enough to take with you, but the tripod isn't. Then again, sometimes we just get lazy. (Admit it, you've done it.)

So, when those times come around, why not be ready for them with something you can carry in your camera bag? There are a few “emergency” solutions that just might save you from kicking yourself all the way home. Here are some of my favorites.

1. Handlepod

This is – pardon the upcoming pun – hands down, the best tripod alternative I've found. It's lightweight, versatile and small enough to carry in your camera bag, extremely versatile and very, very stable. Unlike your tripod, it doesn't require a lot of setup, so it's actually faster. What's more, it's extremely affordable. Take a look at this article for more information on how Handlepod can be used.

2. A monopod with feet

When collapsed, a monopod with a tripod base can be carried in your pack or even just toted around by its wrist strap. It isn't quite as portable as Handlepod, but it will get the job done, and of course you can extend it for a taller support when you need it. Here's a good choice.

3. SteadyWeb

Here's an unusual one that uses you as a stabilizing device. It probably won't work for any really long exposures, but if you just want to make sure you're as steady as possible when hand-holding the camera, clip this to your belt loop and carry it along. When you need it, just screw the stud into your tripod mount socket, press the lock button and pull it tight. Find out more here.

4. A piece of string

For a cheaper take on the concept above, here's a little DIY gizmo you can carry anywhere, even in your pocket. You probably already have what you need to put this together. Like the one above, it's not a perfect solution, but it will help you steady down at lower ISO and shutter speeds, in the wind, etc. Watch the video below to see a one-and-a-half-minute tutorial on how to build one that's quick and easy to use.

5. A bean bag or two

One of the simplest and most versatile devices, especially when you're dealing with longer lenses, is a bean bag. You can prop just about anything on it and prop almost anything on it and it's easy to carry anywhere. Here's one that will even drop over your car window when you're really feeling lazy!

So, there's the list. Now you have no excuse for not being prepared. You're welcome. Get out there and shoot.

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^{Photo by Fabrizio Verrecchia on Unsplash}

Action cameras such as the GoPro series are very useful for photography and videography. They allow imaging or filming in locations and situations that would put a serious strain on regular digital cameras. The top GoPro accessories give us even more options for these amazing tools.

One of the best examples of the action cam is the GoPro HERO 8 rugged waterproof digital still and video camera. This is one of the most advanced action cams currently available.

GoPro HERO 8 

The GoPro HERO 8 is the latest in the popular line of GoPro cameras. It has a 12MP sensor and can record in 4K video in a range of aspect ratios from TV to cinematic. Time lapse, HDR, zoom, and RAW image files are a few of the extra and improved features over previous models.

The GoPro HERO 8 is well protected against falls, impact, rough use, and is also waterproof down to 33 feet. Image stabilization helps smooth out video and allows low light capture of still and video. There is even a smartphone app for controlling the camera.

As amazing as this camera is, there are some unique gopro accessories that enable you to take full advantage of the camera’s features and capabilities. With action cameras, the camera is merely the centerpiece, part of an entire system designed for action photography and videography.

Top GoPro Accessories

The top accessories for GoPro cameras include mounts, stabilizers, lights, video monitors, microphones, straps, and cases. Let’s take a look at 6 great unique GoPro accessories.

OctoPad Camera Mount

Tripods and monopods are great for a lot of cameras and situations, but the OctoPad adds usefulness for action cams and versatility in placement.

How is the OctoPad different? The OctoPad does not use tripod feet or a suction cup to provide a stable base for the camera. It has a weighted foot that can be placed on virtually any surface to hold up the camera. There is also a clip grommet and a cable tuck that adds to the versatility of this unique camera mount.

The foot, or base, of the OctoPad is very wide compared to small cameras, and is made with non-slip material on the bottom. It can be placed on smooth or rough surfaces and will stay in place on 45 degree angle perches. These features make it one of the top GoPro accessories for video.

To attach the camera, you use a ball and socket head or an extension with some sort of head on top. Multi-angle arms are another option that will add a whole lot of versatility to this camera mount. Primarily it provides excellent stability for video or still pictures.

HandlePod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount

Different from a base support like the OctoPad is the HandlePod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount. This is a combination handle and mount that is best used for hand held video. 

If you’re not mounting your GoPro on a bracket, or a mount, or strapping or bolting it to something, they’re kind of small and hard to hold steady. This mount is similar in shape and orientation to a gimbal, but it’s not a gimbal.

What it excels at is giving you a big handle to hold on to so you can steady your hand held video. You can also attach other items such as a light to this grip/handle/mount. Really, videography is the application most likely to benefit from this. Since many people use their action cams for video, this is a great choice for top GoPro accessories. 

Outside of hand holding, you can also put this to use as a small stand. It is stable enough for anything not moving. If what you’re filming from is moving, attach it to a pole or rail with the strapping cord. 

Learn More:

• Cheap Photo Accessories That are Just as Good as Expensive Ones
• Innovative Camera Accessories You Need in Your Bag

LitraTorch 2.0

Whenever you find yourself asking if you need light for your video, you probably need more light. Though the GoPro series of action cams has excellent low light performance, adding an external light source will increase the performance as regards image quality and color rendition in many conditions.

The LitraTorch 2.0 is a small but very bright battery powered LED compact video light. It can also be used for still imaging, but it was designed with videography in mind, making it among the best GoPro accessories for video. 

Small enough to fit on the HandlePod listed above, it can sit right next to the GoPro HERO 8 action cam on the bracket. It is a cube 1 ½ inches per side and weighs only 3 ¼ ounces. 

Other amazing features of this tiny video light are it is charged by means of a USB cord, battery life is up to 4 hours of continuous light output, and it is waterproof down to 60 feet. 

Being waterproof opens up some great opportunities for GoPro videography and still imaging. Underwater, lighting is crucial for amazing results. Relying on surface sunlight only, just a few feet down is all you can shoot with good color rendition. Adding a waterproof video light will all those beautiful colors pop out at viewers of your videos.

SImply making use of the LitraTorch 2.0 above water, you get a good punch for your accessories budget’s dollars. The 16 LED lights provide daylight balanced light with a CRI rating of 90. (The higher the CRI rating, the truer the color rendition of the light is.)

GoPro Media Mod for Hero8

What is a media mod? The GoPro Media Mod is a wrap around modification for the HERO 8 that adds extra capability for video recording. The most important capability is the extended range shotgun microphone.  

In practice, it goes on the GoPro like an ever ready case or as a second skin. This second skin adds a little extra bulk, several mounting points, and the microphone. It cannot go underwater with the camera, though. 

GoPro Smart Remote

When you have your GoPro mounted on a helmet, wrist strap, or some other part of your activewear or gear, you need a way to operate it easily. The GoPro Smart Remote is how you do that.

This remote is wireless and allows control of most camera functions. It has an LCD display of what you’re operating, too. Additionally, the remote is waterproof down to 33 feet just like the camera itself. 

Waterproof Housing

Wait a minute? Isn’t the GoPro already waterproof? Yes it most certainly, but only to 33 feet. That’s more than enough for recreational diving, but some commercial needs or sporting excursions may require deeper operation. The GoPro Protective Housing adds extra capability for down to almost 200 feet.  

Some kit purchase options include this protective housing. If you’re looking into your first GoPro HERO purchase, you might consider these kits as they make this camera uniquely special. 

Unique GoPro Accessories

Other fine accessories for GoPros include filters, stabilization gimbals, and a wide variety of straps for mounting to almost anything. The GoPro HERO 8 is a fantastic action camera. With the addition of some top GoPro accessories, you can extend the capabilities to be able to accomplish many fun and exciting things. 

Learn More:

• Top 10 GoPro Accessories for Video Creators
• Awesome Camera Accessories for On-the-Go Photographers

 

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How often do you use that “B” setting on your camera? For many photographers, going there goes hand in hand with stepping out of the comfort zone. In my opinion, that's one good reason to do it, because most creative breakthroughs tend to happen outside of your comfort zone. The other reason I like to set my shutter speed to Bulb is that there are some really awesome things that can be done simply with long exposures. If you're not using it, here's a little bit of inspiration.

Lighting Shots

Contrary to what some inexperienced photographers believe, you don't need a sophisticated sensor or trigger to photograph lightning strikes. What you do need is a tripod, or better yet, a tripod alternative. I also prefer using a remote shutter release, but you can get by with using your camera's delay if your setup is good and solid. Oh, and it should go without saying that electrical storms are dangerous, so you'll need a little common sense.

The procedure is simple. Use a normal or wide angle lens. (Your 18mm-55mm kit lens will do just fine.) Mount your camera solidly and set your aperture to f/11 and shutter to “B”. Set your focus to infinity and take a test shot to confirm focus. Aim in the general direction of the active storm cell and take a series of exposures, opening the shutter for about 4 seconds at a time. Make adjustments as necessary.

Light Trails

There are dozens of ways to photograph light trails. The most common is probably cars on highways, city streets and bridges. You can also consider ships coming into harbors at night and planes landing and taking off. Once again, be sensible about your personal safety.

The required equipment and starting settings will be roughly the same as above. You may need to adjust exposure times according to how much light is in the scene from other sources (street lights, buildings, etc.). There's a lot of room for experimentation here.

Moving Water

This one is a favorite of many landscape photographers and an awful lot of fun. Those dreamlike effects caused by shooting moving water at slow shutter speeds are very unpredictable and often pleasantly surprising. You will, however, need to add a Neutral Density (ND) filter to get these shots, because you'll be shooting in daylight. The more dense the filter, the longer your exposures can be.

Exposure settings will vary according to the conditions, your filter and the results you want, but the settings we used above are a reasonable starting place. Because the filter is very dark, you'll want to stabilize your camera, lock your focus in, then carefully mount the filter before you take the shot. Try starting your exposures at about 1 second with a medium density filter, and extend the time with darker filters. The longer the exposure, the more vague the water will become.

These are far from the only things you can do with your shutter in Bulb mode. Light painting, deliberate camera vibration, fireworks – possibilities abound. You've got to go there to get them done, though, so get out there and try the “B”.

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Let's have a good ol' fireside chat, just you and I...

I'm going to be very candid with you on a few items that I just absolutely love and think you would benefit from having in your camera bag.

This list of five photography gadgets is based on my experience using every single one of these things...

That means I've put in the time and effort to get to know these products firsthand, so you've got a reliable resource to depend on when outfitting yourself with new gear.

I want to reiterate - I'm genuinely excited about each and every one of these products. This isn't just lip-service!

These things have changed the way I approach photography, and I want you to have the same kind of experience by using gadgets that make it easier to take better photos and manage your photography business.

HandlePod

Let's start off with the small device pictured above.

It's plastic, kind of funny looking, has a number of knobs on it, and pivots at one corner. It's called Handlepod.

What's so special about this thing?

I'll tell you...

You see, I can be lazy at times, to the point where I just don't want to carry much more than my camera with me.

On those days, I'm talking about taking my Sony A6300 and one lens.

This means no tripod.

The problem is, if the lighting gets too dark, getting a sharp still shot is nearly impossible without cranking up the ISO to 1,000,000.

OK, this camera's ISO goes nowhere near there...however, you get the point. 

ANYWAY...

This HandlePod gadget is perfect for such occasions. It fits in my pocket and does the job of my tripod when I'm traveling light.

Technically, it does more than what my tripod can do...

You can use it as a freestanding mini quadpod, as a handheld stabilizing device, or even attach it to a tree, a fence post, or another stationary object for hands-free use.

In short, it's not only lightweight, easy to carry, and versatile, but it's also quite inexpensive too. I love this thing for that very reason!

3D Flex Flash WYNG

The 3D Flex Flash WYNG is simply light modifier awesomeness. I'm not even sure that's a word, but that's just how stinking cool this thing is.

Personally, I don't do a whole lot of flash work. But when I do, I want the best product.

I also want something that doesn't take up a ton of space in my bag because I'm one of "those people" that stuffs his bag full of gear, and often have way too much gear for what I'm doing (let alone to fit in my bag).

That's one of the things I like most about WYNG - when it's not in use, it's incredibly compact.

I can place this thing pretty much anywhere in my bag because it's 3D printed from a single piece of durable, flexible plastic. See it in action in the video below:

In fact, you can crumple the thing up and put it in your pocket, and when you're ready to use it, it reshapes itself as though it was never smashed and folded.

There's also no other parts - no straps or velcro or buckles. You simply slide it on your flash, and you're ready to go.

Did I mention it's crazy affordable too?

In the world of big and bulky light modifiers that are overpriced, this 3D Flex Flash WYNG is nothing short of genius!

Alpine Labs Pulse

Speaking of tiny gadgets that pack a big punch...

Do you see that little guy sitting on top of the camera in the photo above?

That's Pulse by Alpine Labs. Cute, huh?

But trust me when I say this thing might look nondescript, but man is it a game-changer.

Pulse is basically a camera remote, only better in every single conceivable way...

For starters, you control Pulse via a smartphone app. That means you can set up your gear, then have a seat (or a nap!) up to 100 feet away thanks to Bluetooth connectivity.

And I don't just mean you can fire the shutter from the app...

Nope, Pulse is much more powerful.

You can adjust exposure settings like aperture and ISO. You can get real-time image previews of the photos you take. You can check the exposure levels of those photos by scoping out a histogram - all on your phone. See what I mean in the video above...

But you get the picture here. This thing is beyond rad.

BUT, that's just part of the story.

Pulse doesn't just let you take still photos. It's also a control center for creating breathtaking time-lapse videos...real-time videos...long exposure photos.

Yep, it's that versatile!

All in a package that can easily fit in a side pocket of your camera bag (or you can stuff it in your pocket with your WYNG)!

Grip & Shoot

I think it's probably the understatement of the century to say that smartphones have become legitimate photography and videography tools.

I mean, not to toot my own horn, but I've gotten some pretty impressive photos and videos on my iPhone. I'm sure you have too!

One of the things that has enabled me to improve my results with my smartphone camera is the gadget shown above.

The Grip & Shoot is the ideal tool for taking photos and videos.

It enables wireless control over your phone, so you can easily do what needs to be done while maintaining a solid grip with just one hand.

Grip & Shoot even has integrated buttons (three of them!) that allow you to zoom in, zoom out, and fire the shutter. You can also start and stop video recording, all from the Grip & Shoot's handle.

That means no more photos with your fingers protruding into the shot because your hand will be far away from the lens, comfortably holding onto the Grip & Shoot. In fact, with Bluetooth 4.0, Grip & Shoot lets you control your phone from up to 100 feet away.

Better still, Grip & Shoot has an open API, so if you have some programming know-how, you can make the Grip & Shoot's buttons do whatever you please.

That's not a bad deal if you ask me!

Iris Works

Ok, so this last one isn't a gadget you can carry in your camera bag, but it's an innovative product that I think you'll agree is something that is extremely useful.

It's called Iris Works, and it's just about the best studio management software around today.

After getting in there and playing with the program's features, I came away totally blown away by just how much Iris Works has packed into one package.

Seriously...

I'm not the most organized person in the world, but Iris Works has helped me overcome that problem.

It has a to-do list function, so I know what needs to be done. It has a calendar so I can quickly see the projects I've got coming up too.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg...

Iris Works does things that will just blow your mind.

Want to know what the weather will be like for your shoot tomorrow? Iris Works can tell you...

Need to send out client invoices in a timely fashion? Iris Works fits the bill (pun intended!).

Do you have contracts to create and send out or payments that need to be collected from clients? Iris Works does that too.

It'll even let you scope out locations and send your clients directions to the shoot - all without leaving the Iris Works interface.

When I say that this thing is the ideal personal assistant for a photographer, I mean it!

At the end of the day, these gadgets have opened up a whole new world for me as a photographer - one that results in better photos and better organization.

That's an awesome feeling, but so too is getting these gadgets without breaking the bank.

But, as I've experienced, each of these products is worth its weight in gold - and more, if you ask me!

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^{photo byjacoblund via iStock}

So, you’re thinking about vlogging and you’re wondering if you really need to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on your equipment.  

No. You don’t. You just need the basics. But, you’ll want to make sure your vlogging gear will still last you a long time. 

Here’s a list of everything a vlogger can’t live without. 

Camera: GoPro

^{Photo by Arindam Raha from Pexels}

You’re definitely not going to get very far as a vlogger without the most basic of vlogging gear: a good camera. 

I think the most important thing when purchasing a camera is to remember that it’s 2020 and most cameras are going to be more than enough for your new vlog. Don’t overspend here and not be able to purchase the other vlogging gear essentials.

While you can use just about any DSLR or mirrorless camera out there, I’d recommend purchasing a GoPro because GoPros are definitely the easiest vlogging camera for traveling and shooting outside of a studio. 

They’re rugged, easily portable, and packed with features that make them a well-rounded camera. Besides, you can get a GoPro Hero 8 Black for $400, which is a great price for all the functionalities you get: 

• 12MP sensor
• 4K video at 60p or 1080p video at 240p
• 8x Slo-Mo video
• HyperSmooth 2.0
• TimeWarp 2.0
• Live Streaming
• LiveBurst
• SuperPhoto + HDR

You may not be planning to shoot anywhere other than your house, but if the need arises, you’ll have wished you went with a GoPro!

Quick Tip: You’ll want to invest in a quality external microphone to go with your GoPro. I’ve used the RODE VideoMicro and loved its sound quality and compact size. It’s a perfect addition to a GoPro because it’s rugged and portable, just like the GoPro! And at just $59, it’s budget-friendly too!

 

Recommended Videography Books:

• How to Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck: Advice to Make Any Amateur Look Like a Pro
• The DSLR Filmmaker's Handbook: Real-World Production Techniques

 

Light: LitraPro 

You’ll want to use natural lighting for your vlog as often as possible, but sometimes it’s not. In these times, you’ll want a natural-looking light to ensure your face doesn’t have any awkward shadows. 

I use the LitraPro because it is 100% dimmable, has adjustable color temperature, can run for up to 10 hours on one charge and is waterproof up to 90 feet. 

You can use it in your studio, on that epic surfing trip you’ve been planning, or on your trip to Machu Picchu and points in between.

It’s hard to find a light that is this bright, this rugged, and this portable. You can purchase a Litra Torch LitraPro on Adorama for $220. 

Learn More:

• 2019 Top Cameras for Vlogging
• Introduction to Drone Photography

Tripod: Octopad

 

People who write about vlogging best practices will always recommend getting a tripod, but I’ve found something just a little bit better. 

The Octopad does everything a tripod can’t through its patent-pending technology. It doesn’t slip or slide, it doesn’t cave under weight and it never loses suction - because it doesn’t use suction!

It’s weighted bottom keeps your GoPro, LitraPro, microphone, and other vlogging accessories perfectly stable, even on uneven surfaces. Heck, I often use my GoPro and Octopad as a dashcam setup - I set the Octopad on the dash, hit record on the GoPro, and we’re off.  

As soon as you buy this, you’ll have wished you had it in your camera bag over the years because it makes taking video and photos so much easier.  

The Octopad is available for only $27 on Adorama. 

Handheld Mount: HandlePod

Finally, before getting started in vlogging you’ll need a handheld mount. 

I chose the HandlePod because it works with GoPros, and you can use it in a variety of ways.

I typically use it as a handheld mount, but you can also use it as a tabletop mount or even mount it to a stable object, like a tree or a fencepost. 

Plus, it comes with a lifetime warranty and weighs just 4 oz so you can take it everywhere. 

This camera stabilizer is available for less than $30 on Adorama.  

Pro Vlogging Tips

^{photo by NoSystem images via iStock} 

Now that you’ve got all the equipment you might need, you’ll need some information about getting started in vlogging. 

The first thing you’ll need to do is establish the “why” behind your vlog. Are you getting started in vlogging to educate your audience? Do you want to entertain them? Are you just looking to make some extra cash to take your family on vacation every year?

Once you have your “why,” other parts of your vlog will come more easily, like your story outlines, your purpose, and your filming dates. 

Next, you’ll need to get really good at editing, like Matti Haapoja.

Most people stop watching videos within the first two minutes, so you need to prove to your audience that your material is worth sticking around for. That means editing the crap out of your vlogs.  

Anything that isn’t 100% necessary to fulfill the purpose of the vlog needs to get cut. As a beginner vlogger, you should be aiming for videos that are no longer than 5 minutes. 

Finally, you should be doing a ton of market research. Watch other vlogs, both those who you consider your competitors and those who aren’t. Figure out what you love about watching vlogs and then try and emulate that. 

Learn More:

• Landscape Photography Myths Debunked
• Nikon Z6 Review

 

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^{photo byelenaleonova via iStock}

The holidays are coming in hot, and for many of us, finding gifts for the photographers in our lives is a tough task. 

Photographers can be a finicky bunch. We’re loyal to certain brands. Many of us already have an ocean of photography gear, too.

So what do you buy the photographer on your list with a budget of $50?

We’ve curated a list of top options that will hopefully make your holiday shopping a little easier.

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: H&Y 37-49mm RevoRing

One of the most innovative photography gadgets of 2020 is also one of the most inexpensive!

A couple of months ago, H&Y unveiled RevoRing, which is a variable step ring. This is so innovative because it eliminates the need to carry a bunch of individual step rings to make filters and filter systems work with different lenses.

Instead, the photographer on your list can have this one variable step ring in their camera bag and use it to adapt their filters to a variety of lenses.

This particular RevoRing is 37-49mm in range, giving your favorite photographer lots of leeway in terms of which filters they use with which lenses.

It’s dead simple to use too - just twist the RevoRing, attach it to the lens, and it’s ready to rock!

There simply aren’t that many truly innovative photography gifts for under $25, but RevoRing certainly fits the bill.

If you want to surprise your loved one with a gift that is unique, functional, and will legitimately help them improve their photography workflow, look no further than RevoRing!

Learn more about the H&Y RevoRing

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: CanvasHQ Print 

One of my favorite gifts to give (and to get, while we're at it) is a big, beautiful print.

Personally, I like canvas because of the texture the canvas gives to the print. Besides, a canvas print is something that will continue to give joy to the person that receives it for years and years to come!

Now, I know what you're thinking...canvas is so old-school.

But if you order your canvases from the right printers, you can get something that is beautiful, well-made and looks modern, even if the substrate is perhaps a bit old-school.

I have tons of canvases in my home, the vast majority of which are fromCanvasHQ.

These are some of the best canvas prints I've ever purchased. The sharpness of detail, the color accuracy, and the overall build quality of these prints is next-level good.

Part of the reason for this is the materials CanvasHQ uses. We’re talking archival-grade canvas, commercial-grade inks that are water and UV resistant, and kiln-dried pine frames to keep everything straight and true.

But CanvasHQ isn't just tops in the quality department...

They have excellent customer service that makes you feel heard and as though you're the only customer they have to worry about at that moment.

These guys are committed to getting it right, so if something doesn’t go as planned, you won’t be hung out to dry.

If you have questions, they’ll answer them. If you have a problem, they’ll fix it. If you need assistance with uploading your photo or even picking the best finishes for your canvas, they’ve got your back. 

In the video above, you can see how one of my CanvasHQ prints stacks up against similar prints from other printing companies. I think you'll see why I'm so loyal to CanvasHQ!

Start shopping for your favorite photographer today on CanvasHQ.

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: GoPro Light Mod for Hero 8 Black

The GoPro Hero 8 Black is an awesome camera for still photography and videos. It’s functionalities and flexibility are undeniable, and with a wide array of add-ons, mods, and accessories, you can extend the usefulness of this camera even further.

If your favorite photographer has a GoPro Hero 8 Black, a great holiday gift idea is the GoPro Light Mod.

This little guy connects easily to the Hero 8 Black via the Media Mod (sold separately) or it can be attached to multiple GoPro mounts and other accessories for off-camera lighting.

 

It has four levels of brightness up to 200 lumens so you can easily highlight the subject with crisp light.

As you’d expect, the light is built to tough GoPro standards and is waterproof up to 33 feet. The built-in rechargeable battery offers up to six hours of runtime, so whether the photographer in your life is shooting stills, videos, is working underwater or above, they’ll have reliable, clean light to help them achieve their creative vision! 

Learn more about the GoPro Light Mod for Hero 8 Black

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Artbeat Studios 11x14 HD Metal Print

Nothing says happy holidays like a gorgeous metal print, especially when the person you’re buying for is a photographer! So why not surprise the photographer on your list with an incredible HD metal print from Artbeat Studios?! 

Metal is a gorgeous substrate for all manner and type of photos. The crisp, clean detail and modern look is just what the doctor ordered for highlighting a beautiful image.

Artbeat Studios’ HD metal prints are so impressive in part because the image is heat infused directly into the metal. The result is unsurpassed resolution and color vibrancy.

What’s more, Artbeat Studios uses Chromaluxe® brand aluminum sheets. This brand of aluminum has a 3x better permanence than Kodak Silver Halide Prints and resists fading for more than 65 years. So not only is an HD metal print a great gift for this holiday season, but it’s a gift that will keep on giving for decades!

You can customize the look of the print by choosing different finishes, surfaces, and mounts. Additionally, you can choose from two different hanging systems and two different mounts. The result is a breathtaking and custom print that your favorite photographer is sure to love!

Learn more about Artbeat Studios’ HD Metal Prints

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Octopus.Camera OctoPad

If you’re rushing around trying to find that perfect gift for your favorite photographer, you might consider the Octopus.Camera OctoPad as an excellent choice.

The OctoPad offers what many other stabilization devices don’t - it doesn’t collapse under the weight of gear it’s supporting and it doesn’t slide around, even if it’s placed on a smooth or an uneven surface thanks to its weighted non-slip mat design.

The OctoPad has a built-in male 1/4-20 inch threaded bolt for attaching accessories and a high-capacity removable ball head that also has an adjustable 1/4-20 inch threaded male bolt.

That means that not only is the OctoPad well-equipped to stay in place, but it can also support a wide range of gear, from a GoPro to a smartphone to a light or microphone.

There’s even a built-in cable strap to keep cables from getting in your way and a clip grommet for attaching a lanyard to easily carry the OctoPad.

What photographers want in a gift is something that’s versatile and functional, and the OctoPad is definitely both. Best of all, it’s well below the $50 threshold, so you can give an awesome gift without busting your budget!

Learn more about the Octopus.Camera OctoPad

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Ikan Stratus 15mm Static Lens Support

If the photographer on your list has a bunch of accessories for their camera, an Ikan Stratus Cage is all but a must.

And to make the Stratus cage even more functional, you can give the gift of a 15mm static lens support this holiday season.

The support attaches to the non-rotating part of a lens and helps support its weight.

With 7/8-inches of vertical leeway, this gadget can support a lens in a number of positions.

It's easy to use, too - one of the 15mm rod mounts is open and angled, so it can be slid onto the rods from above or from the front.

And at $34.99, it's a bargain gift as well!

Learn more about the Ikan Stratus 15mm Static Lens Support

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Holdfast Camera Leash Leather Wrist Strap

Not every photographer wants or needs a neck strap or camera harness, so why not give them the gift of a tough, useful, and gorgeous leather wrist strap? 

The Camera Leash by Holdfast is impeccably made and comes in a variety of materials, including bridle leather, water buffalo leather, American bison leather, and python skin. There are also several colors available to suit your favorite photographer’s specific tastes.

This strap is multi-functional, too.

Use it to carry your keys and attach them to a belt loop. Secure a water bottle to your backpack. Use two of them together to carry a third camera on the Holdfast MoneyMaker harness. There’s few products under $50 with that much functionality!

Plus, these things look absolutely incredible with fine details that scream, “I’m handcrafted!”

It’s a photography gift that your favorite photographer is sure to love. 

Learn more about the Holdfast Camera Leash

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: HandlePod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount 

Does the photographer on your shopping list like to go out and adventure with their GoPro or other action cam?

I have the ideal gift idea for them - the HandlePod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount.

This ingenious gadget is a comfortable grip for shooting handheld video as well as a handy tabletop stand (or a stand for any horizontal surface for that matter).

Furthermore, it has an integrated elastic cord so you can lash it to stationary objects (i.e., a lamp post) for super steady hands-free recording.

The mount has 360-degree movement so you can capture smooth video and easily position it for the ideal still image as well.

When used as a tabletop stand or lashed to a vertical surface, its four rubber feet keep it in place for anti-slip performance.

Perhaps best of all, it weighs just 4 ounces and fits in your pocket, so your favorite photographer can always have a stabilizing mount with them for their GoPro activities.

Learn more about the HandlePod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Snaptiles

If you’re in need of a killer photography gift, look no further than Snaptiles. Snaptiles are a patented Magnetic Photo Tile that is 8”x8”x1” and super lightweight.

This innovative system uses a single wall mount with a built-in level to anchor a central print to the wall. Then you can snap together the other tiles onto the first! The wall mount uses four adhesive strips that don’t damage the wall, yet offer all the support that’s needed to display up to 12 tiles. Just make sure you press down firmly for 10 seconds. You can also push in the 4 included thumb tacks for additional support, then mount up to 30 tiles on the first tile! Not a bad tradeoff for 4 little pin holes in your wall.

The process is simple: just attach the wall mount to the wall, mount the anchor tile to it, and then begin to create an array of mixed tiles by adding additional Snaptiles.

Each tile connects with strong magnets, so there’s no worry of the tiles sagging or slipping.

Best of all, though, this system enables you to swap images out as you get new photo tiles, rearrange them in the display, and create different shapes with an array of images.

It really couldn’t be any easier!

The images are printed on a premium SBS Acid Free archival paperboard to give you long-lasting durability. On top of that, the UV protective lamination on the tiles has a beautifully soft touch.

I just ordered 25 of these photo tiles for my son’s room. He loves art and he loves building, and I think he will love putting his Snaptiles together (with my help of course!) on his bedroom wall.

This isn’t just a great last-minute gift, but it’s also a fun project you can share with whomever you give them to. It’s a win-win!

Learn more about Snaptiles

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: HDRsoft Photomatix Essentials

Ask any photographer, and they’ll probably tell you that the toughest part of photography to master is exposure.

All too often, you get photos that have highlights that are too bright or shadows that are much too dark. 

But by using the power of HDR photography - high dynamic range - photographers can combine multiple exposures into a single shot, thereby getting a well-exposed image throughout.

Photomatix Essentials by HDRsoft makes that process super easy with dozens of HDR settings and presets for getting the perfect HDR photo.

HDRsoft has even incorporated multiple HDR styles to give photographers further control over how their HDR images look. Truly, creating eye-catching photos has never been easier! 

PLUS...HDRsoft is giving Photomatix Essentials away at the moment as part of their Quarantine Giveaway. You can’t get cheaper than free!

Learn more about HDRsoft Photomatix Essentials 

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Amazon Gift Card

Totally stumped regarding gift ideas for photographers on your list?

Why not go the easy route and get them an Amazon gift card?

Though a gift card isn't exactly the sexiest gift, when the photographer in your family sees that you have given them carte blanche to get what they want, they'll be stoked!

With an Amazon gift card, they can put the card amount towards whatever they want - a new lens, a second camera body, lighting gear, a laptop - you name it!

As far as flexibility goes, there's nothing better to give a photographer than a gift card.

Learn more about Amazon gift cards

 

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Be honest...how many boxes of negatives and slides do you have in your house? If you’re like me, you’ve got dozens of them with thousands of negatives and slides that haven’t seen the light of day in decades.

It’s a shame, really, because even though they aren’t easily viewable in their current forms, negatives and slides are still a record of days long past, a personal history of your family, friends, and favorite locations that might no longer be with you. For these reasons, as time goes by, resurrecting old negatives and slides becomes even more important.

Our friends over at Handlepod have a great article on this subject, highlighting the value that negatives and slides still have today, and exploring the ways in which you can digitize negatives and prints. From there, you can make adjustments in Photoshop or Lightroom, create prints, or share the digitized files with family and friends via social media or other means.

Handlepod recommends the Epson v600 flatbed scanner to handle your negative and slide scanning needs, and we agree that it’s a great choice that’s highly effective yet affordable. In the video below, Matt Day shows us how the v600 tackles the all-important task of bringing old memories back to life.

If you want further details on the subject, head over to Handlepod’s blog to learn more!

Amazon Recommendations

• Epson Perfection V600 Color Photo, Image, Film, Negative & Document Scanner
• Matin Archival Negative Clear Sheets Sleeves for 35mm Films
• Adorama Archival Plastic Storage Binder Box with 3 'O'-Rings

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If you're the kind of person that keeps up with trends or even spends any time on the good, old Internet, you've noticed a lot of people posting videos of their rants, opinions, poetry and even a wide variety of oddball humor, shot while sitting in their cars. Why that particular location has become such a popular venue is anyone's guess, but there are an awful lot of individuals building a huge following with these “driver's seat statements”.

If you've got something to say and want to tell the world, have a particular talent for lip-syncing popular songs or just want to put your mug out there to see how people react, you might be thinking that these now-famous personalities are using sophisticated equipment to record these clips. In most cases, you'd probably be surprised at the actual simplicity of the setup. In fact, there's a good chance that most of the videos you've enjoyed – or endured – were recorded on a smartphone, often mounted with a device like HandlePod.

Obviously, the trick is to have a good way to mount the phone or camcorder you'll be using to a convenient spot in your vehicle. As you've probably noticed from the point of view in many videos, the frontal view is very popular and the angle is usually a little higher than eye-level, which pretty much tells you that a visor or the rear-view mirror is a common choice. If you opt for that location, my best advice would be PLEASE, DON'T RECORD AND DRIVE.

I've seen some videos shot with dash mounted cameras and in some cases, even police officers apparently reversing their dash cams temporarily to get the message out. Again, these are reasonable choices, but probably not a good idea while driving.

There are a few spots that might be a little safer, for example the passenger side headrest, which will let you get yourself in profile while you're traveling, provided you're not constantly looking over at the camera. One more option I've seen a few times is mounting the camera so that it sees your reflection in the rear view mirror. If you want to look cool in a clandestine, “super spy” sort of way, maybe that's the look you want to go for. Whatever position you choose, just be sure it's not blocking your vision or distracting you if you're planning to drive.

The other popular in-car video trend (and my preference) is time-lapse video taken through the windshield and this, too, can be created with many smart phones as well as with a simple mounting setup. The only precaution here is to make sure the rig doesn't block your view, because that can earn you a citation in many states, not to mention more serious consequences.

Check out this blog post for some practical ways to mount your device for your 5 minutes of fame!

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Have you ever wished you could record something you were doing, but needed both of your hands to get that something done? You're not the only one. With action cameras like GoPro available, that isn't awfully hard to do, but what if you could just use the smart phone you already have?

These days, almost everyone's carrying a smartphone and the latest models record video with exceptional quality. With that capability available, why not just use the device you've always got with you anyway? Maybe because you don't really want to duct tape it to your forehead?

Well, we're happy to report that there's a solution that's not nearly as drastic and it won't cost you nearly as much as you might think, either. Thanks to one of the newest innovations around, you can easily, comfortably and securely strap your phone to your chest, at the perfect height to record what's directly in front of you and it will move right along with you.

For example, let's say you want to record the maiden flight of that awesome drone you just bought. Both of your hands are going to be busy with the transmitter, but if you've got that phone mounted as we just described, you can record all the action yourself and still control the flight. Here's an article that shows you how, using exactly that scenario.

Handlepod is the unique new tripod alternative that makes this possible and it does much more, too. When you need to stabilize your phone, compact camera, camcorder or DSLR but don't have a tripod on hand, this device gives you a surprising number of options, from hand-held to secured to almost any object with the included elastic cord. You can use the contoured grip and solid rubber-tipped feet to hold it against a support with your hand, too.

One of Handlepod's most outstanding features is its portability. It's small and lightweight enough to carry in your camera bag, car console or anywhere you might want to have it for those times when you don't have the tripod. Heck, you might even find you like it more than the tripod! Visit the website today to get all the details!

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If there's one thing that I've learned the hard way during my years in photography, it's that the term “must have” is thrown around an awful lot. The list of things I must have is really pretty short. I'm going to share the top 3 of maybe 10 items that I actually apply that label to.

Now, some of the must-haves have been on my list for many years and some have only recently been added because they've proven to be invaluable in the first few times I've used them. I also want to say right up front that some of the items are going to seem very obvious to some readers. In those cases, please take the time to read my reasons and I hope you'll see why I insist on listing them. Ready? Here we go!

HandlePod

If you haven't heard of this yet, you will. This gizmo is at the top of the list because I will never, ever be without it. You see, there are times when I don't want to be bothered with lugging around a tripod, for various reasons. There have also been countless times I've wished I'd brought one along.

With this, the most recent addition to my list, I no longer have to worry. The HandlePod will fit in a pocket, although I find there's more than enough room in any of my camera bags. Because of its unique configuration, I can use it to stabilize my camera or camcorder in just about any situation. It can be tied to a support using the included elastic cord, balanced on its 4 rubber feet, held against a support by hand or hand-held, depending on what's available. It's as steady as a tripod in almost any situation and always there, ready to use for that sunset, moon shot or action shot, no matter when or where. Get the details and I know you're going to want one, too.

A Complete Lens Cleaning Kit

You guessed it; this is one of those items that should be obvious. Here's the thing: you need more than just a lens pen or some cleaning fluid and tissues. Lens cleaning isn't always the same and you need to be prepared to do it according to the situation.

For example, I live in a coastal area. If you've ever had camera gear on the coast, then you know that every time you take off your lens cap, you can expect to end up with a salty, gritty film on your lens. To remove that film you need to first eliminate grit with a blower brush, then use a good solution and a microfiber cloth. If you simply grab your lens pen at the beach, I guarantee you'll create micro-scratches in your lens coatings.

You need to have everything pictured above available to clean your lenses. Fortunately, you can get it all in this kit.

Rain Covers

Here's one that should be obvious, but I'm always surprised at the number of photographers out there without simple rain jackets for their equipment. I can tell you firsthand that “weather sealed” doesn't always mean “weatherproof”. Whether you're shooting with a cheap kit or a pro DSLR with high-end glass, risking its demise because of a sudden downpour or sandstorm is, in a word, foolish. That's especially true when just a few bucks' worth of protection can make all the difference. Check out this universal 2-pack and don't go out without one again.

BONUS GADGET: Alpine Labs Pulse

This item literally came in after I sent this article to publishing and I “stopped the presses” to check it out, after which I simply had to add it to the list!

Wireless remotes are a dime a dozen, and there are plenty of great ones out there. What Alpine Labs realized, however is that you're already carrying a very capable, sophisticated device that can control your camera and do much more, if only your camera was equipped to communicate with it.

Thanks to their latest brain child, Pulse, that can be a reality and you're going to love how it enables remote control like nothing else. Take a look at this list of capabilities:

• Control aperture, shutter, ISO
• Take photos
• Record video
• Preview image thumbnails
• Basic timelapse
• Advanced timelapse (exposure/interval ramping)
• Long Exposure
• Self-Timer
• Control multiple cameras
• HDR bracketing
• Auto-troubleshooting
• Firmware upgradeable

Try to find an over-the-counter remote that gives you all of this, and then consider the fact that you don't have to carry another hand-held device – just the receiver that mounts on your DSLR's hot shoe with its own USB connection. Need a little more incentive? It's got a battery life of 24 hours and you can charge it via USB. Wireless image previews. Bluetooth connectivity. More than 60 compatible cameras. Android and iOS support. I could go on and on, but you really should just go check it out for yourself. Here's the website.

So that's it. It's not an extensive or expensive list, but if you're out there without any of these gadgets, you can't blame me for saying “I told you so.”

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^{photo bywundervisuals via iStock}

Your new GoPro HERO 8 is an extremely versatile action camera for still imaging and video. Shooting video is a new practice for many new action cam users, here are some tips for shooting video with GoPro cameras. 

Some of the GoPro video tips cover the different camera modes, other tips for shooting video will list some helpful GoPro HERO 8 accessories and a few methods and techniques that I have found useful for anyone shooting video for the first time. 

GoPro Video Modes

^{photo byDavid Arment via iStock}

A lot of vital extra instruction and GoPro video tips can be found on the GoPro community pages. This is a fantastic resource for beginners and experienced users alike, I wish more camera manufacturers had something like this. 

A few of the video modes of the GoPro HERO 8 are Quick Capture, Timelapse, and Video Presets. 

Quick Capture is the simplest mode there is. One press of the shutter button will power up the camera and start recording with whatever settings you last used. No lost footage of swiftly appearing video subjects, just pick up the camera and shoot. 

^{photo byRene Jansen via iStock}

Timelapse is a whole lot of fun for me. This allows you to capture a short video of things that may take a while to unfold. Some beautiful videos I’ve seen from others are of nature trails, sunrises and sunsets, and ocean views.  

The 4 preset video modes for the GoPro are Standard, which records 1080p at 60 fps with the lens in Wide. Activity, 2.7K at 60 fps with SuperView lens, an ultra wide view. Cinematic, the highest quality mode with 4K at 30 fps and the Linear lens. Finally Slo-Mo, 1080p at 240 fps which captures motion 8 times slower.

Even though there is  mode labeled Standard, I find myself using Activity and Cinematic most often. Activity because it gives the GoPro look and ultra wide SuperView lens. Cinematic because it provides the absolute best quality video available. 

 

Recommended Videography Reading:

• How to Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck: Advice to Make Any Amateur Look Like a Pro
• The DSLR Filmmaker's Handbook: Real-World Production Techniques

 

Keep It Steady 

^{photo by swissmediavision via iStock} 

Let me be perfectly honest here. Even though the GoPro HERO 8 is an action cam, and is designed to be used in motion, shaky camera footage will take me right out of viewing a video, even my own videos.

You can capture motion smoothly, without that shakiness in so many videos. Camera mounts are the key. Here are two I found useful.

OctoPad Camera and Accessory Mount

One of the most useful and inexpensive camera accessories for shooting video with GoPro I have is the OctoPad Camera and Accessory Mount. It is a weighted semi rigid pad with a non-slip bottom and an accessory mount on top. I usually use mine with a small ball and socket head, an articulated arm is another idea.

The mount simply sits where you place it. No suction cups, no clamps, no extending legs. It stays put on surfaces of many types and at angles of up to 45 degrees. You can use it to hold the camera, a microphone, or video lighting. 

Learn More:

• Getting The Most From Your 360 Degree Camera
• Top GoPro Accessories For Travelling 

HandlePod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount

Sometimes shooting video, you just have to hold the camera in your hands. The HandlePod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount can be used in a variety of ways but I like it as a hand grip.

The GoPro cameras and other action cams are small and kind of oddly shaped compared to our regular cameras such as a DSLR or mirrorless camera. This makes them a little difficult to hold in our hands.

One of the configurations for the HandlePod is similar to a pistol grip, so this puts the camera and us in a very comfortable position to hand hold. 

Light It Up

A primary consideration for any video production, regardless of camera, is exposure and lighting. For a good looking GoPro video, you will do the same as you would for another video you shoot. Sometimes that will mean adding a video light. 

Since the GoPro is portable and versatile, you want a lamp with similar characteristics. Litra makes a portable, battery powered, rugged LED video light that fits those requirements. The Litra Torch 2.0 is also very small and lightweight, another plus for pairing with your GoPro HERO 8 accessories.

Other GoPro Video Tips

^{photo by lzf via iStock} 

Shooting video with a GoPro action cam will open up your creative thoughts. That will result in videos that viewers will enjoy. They will want to see more from you, so you might want to think about creating your own YouTube channel. 

Basic video production methods and ideas will work with your GoPro camera. You will want to compose your videos in a way that is viewable. Since shooting video with GoPro cameras already gives you awesome features such as SuperView, use that to your advantage.

The Cinematic mode is super high quality. Use it as your prime footage or add it to your video from other cameras as B-Roll footage. You can even shoot your B-Roll at the same time you're filming A-Roll. 

A tried and true method that really makes for good videos whether or not you’re adding in B-Roll is storyboarding. A storyboard is an outline, more or less, of what you’re going to shoot and in what order you will be shooting video. 

^{photo by smolaw11 via iStock} 

In your storyboard, plan out all your shots, close ups, establishing shots, A-Roll and B-Roll, so that when it’s time to start actually shooting video, you can do so efficiently. This will also save you time when it’s time for editing.

Keep Your GoPro Ready All The Time

^{photo by DaveLongMedia via iStock} 

A great feature of the GoPro cameras and the GoPro HERO 8 accessories is that they are small and simple. They can be ready to shoot in a moment, and that video is very high quality. 

Keep your GoPro and the accessories charged up, with media ready to record, and you will be shooting video that others will want to see again and again. 

Learn More: 

• Tricks For Shooting B-Roll Solo
• Portable Lighting Tips

 

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^{Photo by AleksandarNakic via iStock}

One of the best features of a GoPro is its portability and its functionality as a still camera and video camera is off the charts.

But if you want to extract every ounce of potential out of your GoPro, you need to add a few accessories to your GoPro kit.

This list offers a look at some of the best GoPro accessories you can get your hands on in 2019.

Best GoPro Accessories - Spare Batteries

When you're out adventuring and filming for hours on end, the batteries in your GoPro drain rather quickly.

Thus the need for a spare battery...

Actually, pick up a couple of spare batteries so you're never without juice!

Learn more about the GoPro Rechargeable Battery

Best GoPro Accessories -  HandlePod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount

The great thing about the HandlePod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount is that you can use it in a variety of ways, depending on what the situation calls for.

It's a fantastic grip for shooting handheld video, but it also deploys as a stand to act like a mini tripod (as shown above). It even comes with an elastic cord for lashing it to objects like trees or fenceposts.

So whether you're indoors or out, stationary or on the move, the HandlePod can help you get steady and stable video with your GoPro.

Learn more about the HandlePod 3-Axis Action Camera Mount

Best GoPro Accessories - Litra Torch LitraPro

One of the keys to making great videos is having great lighting, and when it comes to that, look no further than the Litra Torch LitraPro.

This little guy has 60 LEDs that put out 1200 lumens of light. Not only that, but the light is bi-color and adjustable from 3000 to 6000 Kelvin.

It's only 2.75 x 2 x 1.2 inches and weighs just 6 ounces, too, so it's a perfect accessory for a GoPro!

Learn more about the Litra Torch LitraPro

Best GoPro Accessories - RODE VideoMicro

Alongside great lighting, you need great audio to really make your GoPro videos shine.

There's no better accessory to do that than the RODE VideoMicro.

This tiny shotgun mic is compact and lightweight, yet the quality of the audio it records is clear and crisp. Often, when you're out shooting, there's a ton of peripheral noise, but with this little gadget's directional mic, you'll get the focused audio you want from your primary subject.

Learn more about the RODE VideoMicro

Top GoPro Accessories - GoPro Adventure Kit

This kit has everything you need for taking your GoPro on land, in the air, or on the water.

There's a floating handgrip, a head strap, and a quick clip for attaching it to a hat.

What more could you want from an action cam accessory?!

Learn more about the GoPro Adventure Kit

Best GoPro Accessories - GoPro Suction Cup Mount

 

Having a suction cup allows you to place your GoPro on all sorts of surfaces, like your car or boat.

This thing is industrial-strength, too, with the ability to remain mounted at speeds up to 150 mph.

The adjustable arm allows for compact mounting and the quick release base means you can easily remove it, too.

Learn more about the GoPro Suction Cup Mount

Best GoPro Accessories - GoPro Floating Hand Grip

If you plan to spend any time in the water with your GoPro, a floating hand grip like the one shown above is a must-have.

Not only does it give you a solid grip on your GoPro, but its quick-release base makes switching between mounts super easy and fast, too.

The bright orange end of the handle makes for spotting it on the surface of the water an easy task as well.

Learn more about the GoPro Floating Hand Grip

Best GoPro Accessories - GoPro Pro 3.5mm Microphone Adapter

A downer about the GoPro is that you have to have one of these adapters if you want to use an external mic.

And as I mentioned earlier, you need an external mic to get good audio.

So, this is a must-have accessory not because it's especially cool, but you really can't create videos with epic sound without one!

Learn more about the GoPro Pro 3.5mm Microphone Adapter

BEST GOPRO ACCESSORIES - GOPRO DUAL BATTERY CHARGER

Having a spare battery isn't good enough. Instead, you need a quick charger so you can keep your batteries charged up and ready to rock.

This unit allows you to charge two batteries at once, and gives you charging options via a USB port or a GoPro Supercharger

Learn more about the GoPro Dual Battery Charger

Best GoPro Accessories - Ulanzi V2 Vlog Protective Housing Case

This case is a must for having a microphone with your GoPro.

Not only does this case have a cold-shoe mount for the mic, but it also has a spot to hold the 3.5mm microphone adapter nicely tucked directly beneath the GoPro.

This rig is compatible with GoPro HERO 7, 6, and 5, and you can mount the case in a number of different ways, from your bike helmet to a chest belt to a monopod or selfie stick.

It's lightweight, portable, and fits the GoPro like a glove, so you don't have to worry about a clunky case getting in the way of your fun.

Learn more about the Ulanzi V2 Vlog Protective Housing Case

Best GoPro Accessories - Samsung 128GB EVO UHS-I MicroSDXC Memory Card

A fast memory card is a must for shooting GoPro videos, and the Samsung 128GB EVO UHS-I certainly doesn't disappoint.

It's got plenty of storage, that's for sure, and with lightning-fast read/write speeds of up to 100MB/s, you won't have to sit around and wait for it to do its thing.

In fact, it'll transfer a 3GB video to your computer in 38 seconds. Nice!

This card is also waterproof, temperature resistant, X-ray proof, and has a 10-year warranty. Not bad, right?

Learn more about the Samsung 128GB EVO UHS-I MicroSDXC Memory Card

Best GoPro Accessories - GoPro Chesty Mount

When you're hiking, biking, or otherwise need your hands free, a GoPro chesty mount is the way to get awesome footage.

This mount is made of lightweight and breathable fabric, so it won't bog you down or make you sweat as you adventure around.

There's a quick-release buckle for easy on and off, and with an adjustable strap, it can accommodate just about any body type.

Learn more about the GoPro Chesty Mount

Best Accessories for GoPro - GoPro Fetch

 

For those of you that adventure with your dog, a GoPro Fetch is certainly one of the best accessories money can buy.

With options to mount on your dog's back or chest, you can get footage from a dog's point of view that adds unique flair to your videos.

It's comfortable, won't inhibit Fido's ability to move, and is machine washable.

Learn more about the GoPro Fetch

Best GoPro Accessories - GoPro Smart Remote

Though a variety of GoPros can be controlled with your phone, your phone isn't exactly built for the rough-and-tumble adventure lifestyle.

Instead, if you want a remote that's wearable, rugged, and waterproof, pick up the GoPro Smart Remote.

Heck, this thing will control up to 50 GoPros at once from up to 180 meters away, so you can make some truly incredible videos!

Learn more about the GoPro Smart Remote

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If you've had a DSLR for any amount of time, you've likely realized a few things.

First, there's a lot to learn about how to use your camera.

Second, there's a ton of accessories out there that you can purchase to expand your camera's capabilities in an effort to capture better photos.

In both regards, things can get a little overwhelming...

But man, is it exciting!

On the one hand, learning how to use your DSLR to its fullest extent is awesome because the result of your hard work is (hopefully) images that are wall-worthy.

But like most artists, photographers are usually in pursuit of a better photo, no matter how great their last one was.

That's where all the accessories come in.

I wouldn't say that I have Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS), but I do enjoy the hunt for the next gadget or doo-dad that I can try with my DSLR.

In that spirit, I've compiled a list of a few items that I certainly enjoy, and I think you'll enjoy too.

Alpine Labs Spark

If you're looking for a do-it-all camera remote, Spark by Alpine Labs is it.

Spark is that tiny gadget on top of the camera in the image above. But don't let its small stature fool you - this is one powerful remote!

Use it as a wired trigger, an infrared remote, or as a wireless trigger using the Spark smartphone app.

That means you can take long exposures, selfies and group photos, and even real-time and time-lapse videos, all with the same remote.

If the 30-foot infrared range isn't enough, simply switch to using the smartphone app, and you can control Spark from up to 100 feet away using Bluetooth connectivity.

Even better, if your phone runs out of juice, you can use Spark on its own to program time-lapse intervals!

Learn more about Spark.

Sirui W-2204 Waterproof Carbon Fiber Tripod

Obviously, a tripod is an essential component of your DSLR swag bag.

Like a lot of other camera gear, you certainly get what you pay for when you buy a tripod.

I'll admit, I gave some cheap tripods a try, and as you can imagine, I went through them one after the other because they always broke.

Then I got my hands on the Sirui W-2204 tripod, and I haven't bought another one since.

Not only is this thing waterproof (which is great for my long exposure adventures at the beach) but it's built like a tank.

But that high-quality construction doesn't mean that the tripod is heavy. You get something that's durable and lightweight (and easy to setup and take down, too).

It's also versatile - remove one of the legs, attach it to the center column, and you have yourself a monopod. It can even hold up to 40 pounds - more than enough for my DSLR and a big lens.

Learn more about the Sirui W-2204.

HandlePod

As much as you need a full-sized tripod, sometimes you'll encounter a situation in which you can't use a full-sized tripod, or you might simply want to travel lean and mean and leave your tripod at home.

That's where HandlePod comes in.

This versatile accessory gives you all sorts of options for supporting your DSLR.

You can mount your camera to it and use it as a tabletop quadpod.

You can also hold HandlePod in your hand with your DSLR attached and use it as a handle for taking stills and videos that have reduced camera shake. Press it against a solid object like a tree trunk, and you can get more stable photos as well.

And the best part?

As seen in the image above, you can also lash HandlePod to a stationary object, allowing you to take group photos or selfies without worry that your camera will tip over or fall off.

It's small too - small enough to fit in your pocket - so it is certainly easy to carry around.

Learn more about HandlePod.

4V Design Piuma QR Camera Strap

I find a lot of my colleagues invest a ton of money in their cameras, lenses, and other accessories, but then still carry their camera around on the cheap, uncomfortable strap that came with the camera.

Not me.

The Piuma QR camera strap is incredibly soft, amazingly comfortable, and light as a feather.

The strap has a unique shape that allows you to comfortably carry your DSLR over the shoulder, around your neck, or across your chest. And if you're a tall person (like me) or short, with dual length adjustments, the strap will fit you like a glove.

Better still, the Piuma QR strap has a quick release camera attachment so you can quickly and easily remove it from your camera. That comes in handy when you mount your camera on a tripod and don't want your strap flapping around in the wind.

Add to that a memory foam pad, high grip technology that keeps it from slipping on your shoulder or neck, and stunning aesthetics, this is the camera strap you need for your DSLR.

Learn more about the 4V Design Piuma QR Camera Strap.

Formatt-Hitech Colby Brown Signature Edition Landscape Photography Filter Kit

If you're a landscape photographer, a solid set of filters is as much of a must-have as a good lens.

There's plenty of obstacles landscape photographers face, from uneven exposure from the sky to the landscape, not being able to use long shutter speeds in the daytime, and sunset photos that just aren't quite right from an exposure perspective.

The Colby Brown Signature Edition Landscape Photography Filter Kit helps you address all those problems...

The included Firecrest 6-Stop ND filter allows you to take long exposures even during the daytime.

The Firecrest ND soft edge grad filter brings the dynamic range of landscapes into a more acceptable region by darkening bright skies and leaving the landscape unfiltered.

The ND reverse grad helps you perfect sunrise and sunset photos by evening out the exposure with the darkest filtration in the middle of the filter, right where the rising or setting sun would be.

The kit comes with all the hardware you need too, including a Firecrest 100mm filter holder, step rings, and an 82mm rotating adapter ring. That makes this an all-in-one filter kit for DSLR shooters.

Learn more about the Colby Brown Signature Edition Landscape Photography Filter Kit.

Vanguard Alta Sky 51D Backpack

Of course, you need something to carry your DSLR, and Vanguard camera bags are among the best.

Pictured above is the Vanguard Alta Sky 51D, a camera backpack that's purpose-built for the DSLR shooter on the go.

Not only can you carry your gear in comfort with an ergonomic Air System back, but the Alta Sky 51D also gives you plenty of support with a harness and waistbelt that helps spread the load out across your chest and hips.

There are multiple entry-points into the bag as well, so you can grab your gear from the back, side, or top - whatever is easiest at the moment.

You don't have to dig around looking for your gear either. As you can see above, the interior compartment is beautifully organized, and with that bright yellow interior, you won't be lacking for an ability to see what's inside, either.

Carry one or two DSLRs with the lenses attached, a few lenses, memory cards, batteries, a camera remote...you get the picture. It's a bag that can fulfill all your carrying needs!

Learn more about the Vanguard Alta Sky 51D.

Yongnuo YN560 IV Wireless Speedlight

As DSLR accessories go, you can't get much more bang for your buck than this flash.

It's smart to be leery of off-brand accessories because the chances are good that they just won't be up to snuff and you'll be replacing them sooner rather than later.

However, that's simply not the case with the Yongnuo YN560.

This is the latest in a long line of Yongnuo flashes that have a solid reputation for build and performance.

For about $70.00, you get performance from the flash that's similar to name-brand flashes that cost three or four times as much.

It supports wireless master functions and can perform as a wireless slave as well. It's even got a multiple trigger synchronous mode so you can fire multiple flashes at the same time.

If you're on a budget - heck, even if you aren't - this flash will serve you well without breaking the bank.

Learn more about the Yongnuo YN560 IV.

Lexar Professional 2000x 64GB SDXC UHS-II/U3 Memory Card

When it comes to memory cards, you want something with plenty of storage space, but you also want something that has a fast read/write speed.

The Lexar Professional 2000x 64GB memory card certainly fits the bill on both fronts...

With a read transfer speed up to 2000x - or 300MB per second - you'll be able to transfer your images in record time.

It comes with an SD UHS-II reader as well, so high-speed file transfers from the card to your computer can be done quickly.

You'll have plenty of space for your stills, HD videos, and 4K videos too with 65GB of space.

It even comes with image rescue software should something go awry.

That's a lot of features packed into a tiny package!

Learn more about the Lexar Professional 2000x 64GB SDXC Memory Card.

WD 1TB My Passport External Hard Drive

Part of your image storage and organization should include an external hard drive, and it's tough to beat the WD 1TB My Passport.

It's certainly got the space, and with a 4-inch form factor, it doesn't take up much room either.

That means if you use your DSLR at home or on the road, you have a huge amount of storage space right at your fingertips.

The hard drive has password protection and hardware encryption to keep your images safe, and with a WD backup option, you can back up your images to Dropbox for even more security.

Transferring files is easy and fast too, with USB 3.0 connectivity.

You get peace of mind with a 3-year limited warranty as well!

Learn more about the WD 1TB My Passport.

Delkin Devices SensorScope DSLR Camera Sensor Cleaning System

There's no point in buying all the accessories above if you don't keep your DSLR's sensor nice and clean to produce the best possible images.

What makes Delkin Devices' kit so good is that it comes with a scope that allows you to get a good view inside your camera for easier cleaning.

With three different sizes of swabs, you have flexibility in terms of what you use to clean the sensor. There's even a Sensor Pen that has a retractable cleaning brush and a dry cleaning element.

The kit also includes a tiny vacuum with a static-free brush tip to get big chunks of debris and suction it away.

In other words, this kit has everything you need to do some sensor housecleaning in a quick, efficient, and safe manner.

Learn more about the Delkin Devices SensorScope Cleaning System.

Bonus Item: Lightbox Photography Cards

A list of the best items for your DSLR wouldn't be complete without a tool that brings something to the table that other accessories can't: inspiration.

I know I get in a rut sometimes, and when my creative juices need a boost, the first place I turn to is Lightbox Photography Cards.

This set of 52 cards by award-winning photographer Paul Michael Kane has a photography idea for every week of the year.

Not only does that help give you idea after idea for your photos, but it also encourages you to grab your DSLR and get out there to shoot.

Just pick a card, read the challenge, grab the necessary gear, and you're all set to explore creative photography like never before.

These challenges are easy, straightforward, and fun, too!

Learn more about Lightbox Photography Cards.

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When it comes to photography accessories, there's nothing as valuable as a tripod.

Sure, filters are great, but at the end of the day, you can emulate most of their effects in post-processing.

Camera remotes are nice too, but by and large, you can get away with your camera's self-timers.

Speedlights and reflectors can be beneficial as well, but if you shoot in the morning and evening hours, you can capitalize on beautiful Golden Hour lighting.

What's difficult to do, though, is find a good substitute for a tripod.

You can set your camera on the hood of your car, but that might risk your camera falling off or scratching the paint.

You can rest your camera on a bean bag as well, but that's not as versatile a solution as a tripod.

With that in mind, here's my picks for the best tripods of the year.

Best Tripod Alternative - HandlePod

Though HandlePod isn't technically a tripod, it still serves the same purpose.

In fact, it might be even more versatile than a tripod given that you can use it in a myriad of ways.

For starters, you can set it up as a tabletop quadpod, with its four rubber feet serving to give it a sturdy, stable base for your camera to take tack-sharp photos.

You can also fold the handle down 90-degrees, press its four feet against something strong like a wall, and you've got another means of steadying your camera.

Fold the handle down to 180-degrees, and you've got an ideal setup for taking photos and videos with a stabilizing handle that helps you get cleaner shots.

But my favorite feature of HandlePod is the fact that you can use it hands-free.

With the integrated elastic cord, you can lash HandlePod to a sturdy object - like the post in the images above - and give your camera the support it needs.

Likewise, being able to lash it to virtually any object means you can take photos from interesting perspectives to increase the visual appeal of your images.

Better still, HandlePod is a tiny thing, and when folded up, it can easily be transported in your pocket. That makes it an ideal gadget for traveling.

With three-axis rotation for easy camera positioning, a slotted camera mount to accommodate various sizes of cameras, and a great price, it's hard to go wrong with HandlePod!

Learn More:

• Get the Specs and Pricing on HandlePod
• 12 Things Photographers Shouldn't Leave at Home

Best Small Tripod

By "small," I refer to a tripod that's easily portable and can support a load up to nine pounds.

In that range, the Vanguard VEO 2 204AB is one of the best you can buy.

That's because this tripod is lightweight - it's made of aircraft-grade aluminum and magnesium - coming in at under three pounds.

It's got 4-section legs that give it versatility with regard to height, yet because they're 20mm wide, they give your camera plenty of support to get a sharp photo.

Better still, you can quickly and easily set up this tripod thanks to a cutting-edge center column that allows you to snap your fingers and twist each leg to lock it in place.

The VEO 2 204AB has another trick up its sleeve, too.

It gives you three different angles to position the legs, that way you can keep the tripod level even if the ground underneath it is not.

It's angled rubber feet help give it strong footing as well.

This tripod even comes with a ball head and a bag to carry it in, making it an even better value.

If you want a feature-packed, full-sized tripod that won't break the bank, give this one a long, hard look!

Learn More:

• Get the Specs and Pricing on the Vanguard VEO 2 204AB Tripod
• Camera Gear Recommendations for Budget-Minded Buyers

Best Mid-Range Tripod

If you need a tripod with a larger load capacity, you might look for something like the Sirui ET-2004 Tripod Kit, which can support up to 26.5 pounds of gear.

But don't think that the big load capacity means this is an unwieldy tripod - it still only weighs 3.5 pounds.

What's more, it has flip-lock legs for quick setup and breakdown. Each leg has an automatic leg angle locking mechanism too.

The legs also fold up to 180-degrees for a compact form factor when carrying the tripod.

To assist you in getting better shots, the Sirui ET-2004 Kit has a center column that can be inverted so you can get interesting low-angle shots.

Each foot has a retractable metal spike as well, giving it the ultimate in stability on uneven terrain when shooting outdoors. There's even a built-in level to ensure your horizons are nice and straight.

This tripod kit comes with a Sirui E-20 Ball Head, which has separate adjustment knobs to pan the head and for locking it down.

In other words, this tripod is an ideal companion for landscape and nature photographers that want a solid tripod with excellent features, but again, without spending a ton of money.

Learn More:

• Get the Specs and Pricing on the Sirui ET-2004 Tripod Kit
• A Beginner's Guide to Buying Your First Tripod

Best High-End Tripods

There are a couple of excellent options if you need a tripod with the ultimate in features and flexibility...

The first is the Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263CT shown above.

As you can see, it has a Multi-Angle Center Column that gives you limitless possibilities for the shooting angle.

That's further helped by 3-section legs that have 4 positioning angles that range from 20-degrees to 80-degrees.

It's also easy to set up and rock solid with a twist-lock system for each leg.

Since it's made of carbon fiber, the Alta Pro 2+ 263CT is lightweight, easy to transport, and can still support up to 15.5 pounds of gear.

What's more, the hexagonal center column means that even when you need a little extra height, the center column won't wobble or waver, giving you the sturdy support you need to get the sharpest photos.

Add in an integrated bubble level, a canopy suspension loop to add counterbalance weights, angled rubber feet for extra stability, and the Alta Link system that allows you to connect reflectors, arms, and other accessories with ease, and you've got a recipe for one heck of a tripod system!

Learn More:

• Get the Specs and Pricing on the Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263CT
• 5 Things You Need to Know About Tripods Before You Buy One

Another great option for a top-end tripod is the Sirui W-2204 Tripod shown above.

This rig isn't just lightweight and durable thanks to its carbon fiber construction, but it's also waterproof. That means no gunk or grime getting into the tripod's legs!

Speaking of the legs, each one has four sections with easy-to-use adjustable twist locks that allow for quick setup for fast shots.

This tripod also has a removable leg that can be attached directly to the center column for use as a monopod, too.

There's other handy features you'd expect from a high-end tripod as well...

There's a built-in bubble level, three leg angle positions for accommodating uneven terrain, and slip-resistant rubber feet with stainless steel spikes for added stability.

The legs fold up to 180-degrees for easier carrying, and the split center column allows you to switch from a standard-height column to a short one quickly and easily.

It even comes with a center column hook for adding weight to act as ballast, a custom padded carrying case, and a monopod kit.

Learn More: 

• Get the Specs and Pricing on the Sirui W-2204 Tripod
• 9 Items Any Photographer Would Want in Their Camera Bag

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I know what you're thinking...

Photography is an expensive endeavor, and there's no way that there's fun, exciting gifts for photographers under $50.

But you're wrong!

I found a TON of photography gifts that meet the $50 requirement and are the kind of gifts you'd be proud to give the photographer on your holiday list this year.

Here's ten of the best options...

Vanguard ALTA Action 80 Tripod Bag

The great thing about the ALTA Action 80 Tripod Bag is that it’s an ideal gift for a photographer that’s already bought into the Vanguard system of tripods.

This bag is designed to fit Vanguard’s highly-regarded ALTA Pro tripod and head combinations and offers photographers easy access with an extra wide top opening. The interior of the bag is both padded and brightly colored, so the tripod is both secure and easy to see.

The ALTA Action 80 can be carried over the shoulder or as a two-way sling across the chest. It’s got a bottom grip for easy maneuvering when loading and unloading from the car as well.

Combined with a waterproof material on the bottom to keep the inside dry, and the ALTA LINK connector that allows for adding the bag to other ALTA backpacks, and you have the makings of a versatile, useful, and affordable gift this holiday season!

Learn more about the Vanguard ALTA Action 80 Tripod Bag.

Bumblejax Acrylic Photo Blocks

I think it’s safe to say that you’ve probably got someone on your holiday shopping list that is a fan of photography. I think it’s even more likely that you need to buy a gift for someone that uses their phone to take photos.

Now you have the perfect gift for one such person with a Bumblejax Acrylic Photo Block.

These one-inch-thick blocks are ideal for creating artwork that can either stand on its own or hang on the wall using aluminum hanging rails, as seen below.

And with a diamond-polished finish that gives the printed image a vibrant, colorful, three-dimensional look, it’s a gift that’s sure to wow.

That’s because the see-through acrylic edges allow more light to refract within the acrylic, creating more illumination on the image for a truly stunning visual effect.

What’s more, Bumblejax face-mounts the image onto the acrylic, using high-grade lustre or metallic paper that offers a superior result with a wider color gamut than other types of printing.

And Bumblejax can even create these stunning acrylic photo blocks using pictures taken with an iPhone. Specifically, their panoramic acrylic photo block (shown in the video above) is the perfect way to display images captured with the iPhone’s panoramic feature.

That means that once you give your loved one the gift of a photo block, they can hop on their phone, upload their favorite image, and get an awesome gift (or you can do it ahead of time - either way!).

With 7x7 and 8x6 blocks starting at under $50 with the coupon code PTBJAX20, these are a great buy. No wonder Bumblejax has over 2,000 rave reviews!

Learn more about the Bumblejax Acrylic Photo Blocks.

Sew Trendy Evelyn Floral Crown

Lori Dorman Photography

A wonderful gift for the holidays that has a ton of visual appeal but won’t set you back a lot of money is the Evelyn Floral Crown pictured above.

These crowns are the perfect complement to any wardrobe, whether your loved one is getting married, having her photo made, hosting a party, or just about any other special occasion.

The crown has a gorgeous rose perfectly placed on the crown and is surrounded by intricate florals that are beautifully arranged on a grapevine. The crown pictured above is in ivory with pink accents, but the crown can be ordered in a wide variety of other colors, including yellow, lavender, pink, red, aqua, coral, and many more.

The types of flowers that are used might vary slightly depending on their seasonal availability, but you can rest assured that no matter what types of flowers that are used, the Evelyn Floral Crown will be something that makes her heart sing this holiday season!

Learn more about the Sew Trendy Evelyn Floral Crown.

Vixen Nature Eye Telescope

Just about everyone has a child on their holiday shopping list…

Don’t settle for the same old toys this year. For a unique, memorable, and educational gift idea, you might consider the Vixen Nature Eye Telescope from MrStarGuy.

The compact, lightweight design of the Vixen Nature Eye means it can be easily transported and taken on outdoor adventures without having mom or dad lug around a ton of heavy gear. But don’t confuse its compact, lightweight design for something shabby - the Nature Eye is durable and built to stand the test of time.

It’s easy to setup, too. The telescope images are right side up for easy viewing. The tabletop tripod is both sturdy and sets up in a matter of seconds.

This little telescope comes with all the needed accessories, too - the aforementioned tripod, a 10mm eyepiece, a 2x Barlow Lens, a peep sight for finding objects, and a 45-degree Click Stop Diagonal that keeps objects in view.

All that for just $39.95!

Learn more about the MrStarGuy Vixen Nature Eye Telescope.

CanvasHQ 8x10 Canvas Print

An 8x10 canvas print is just the right size for showcasing a photo and giving it as a gift for the holidays.

Whether you print a family portrait, a landscape, or something in between, Canvas is a gorgeous medium that brings your images to life while giving them a bit of texture for a more interesting viewing experience.

The CanvasHQ 8x10 print comes in a 1.5-inch thickness, meaning it will display beautifully on your loved one’s wall with a bit of depth that separates the image from the surrounding wall surface.

Something else that makes a canvas of this size stand out is vibrant, beautiful colors. Since CanvasHQ uses six colors and an optimizer, you can be sure that the colors in the image stay true to form and display as they should on the canvas surface.

Why get your loved one just another gift this year? Give them the gift of a beautiful piece of art that’s personalized and custom!

Learn more about CanvasHQ 8x10 Prints.

4V Design LAZO Wrist Strap

Give the gift of form and function this holiday season with a LAZO wrist strap from 4V Design.

As you can see in the image above, this thing is gorgeously designed and handcrafted with accents made of scented Vegetable Tanned Tuscany Leather with hand-painted edges.

That means it's a gift that has a custom look but without breaking the bank!

But it's not just a pretty accessory - it's functional, too.

It's got a camera connection made of high-strength polyamide military-standard webbing and can be tightened on the wrist for maximum safety.

The LAZO has an adjustable length to accommodate all sizes of wrists and a soft cotton 20mm webbing for a comfortable carrying experience.

Ideal for carrying everything from a small mirrorless camera to a medium format rig, the LAZO hand strap is certainly one of the best photography gifts under $50!

Learn more about the 4V Design LAZO Hand Strap.

Handlepod

One of the best gifts I ever got was the gift of mobility and versatility I get each time I use my Handlepod.

Not only is Handlepod small enough to fit in my pocket, but it allows to me to work fast and light, without having to lug my full-size tripod around.

But don't think that because it's such a small device that it doesn't pack a punch...

As you can see in the image above, this thing is incredibly easy to use - just extend the base, wrap the cord around a sturdy object, and it's ready for your camera.

It will also sit on a flat surface and act like a tabletop tripod, or you can press the handle against a solid surface for added stability.

If you're in a situation in which you need to handhold your camera, just fold the handle out for improved stability for stills and video.

In other words, if you want to give your favorite photographer a gift that gives them incredible versatility and helps improve the quality of their images, look no further than HandlePod!

Learn more about Handlepod.

band.it

If you've ever heard a photographer complain about how hard it is to find the zoom and focus collars on their camera's lens, you can help them solve that problem this Christmas by giving them band.it.

This awesome gadget is a soft, ridged elastomer band that stretches over any interchangeable camera lens.

The band gives photographers a touch-based guide so they know exactly where the focus and zoom rings are as they frame up a shot.

On top of that, band.it has extruded ridges that offer improved grip on the lens while also allowing for more precise adjustments to zoom and focus.

Additionally, band.it eliminates lens creep when the lens is pointed up or down.

As if that's not good enough, band.it helps protect the zoom and focus rings on a lens. And since those can cost hundreds of dollars to repair, using band.it to protect them is a sound investment.

So, this holiday season, give the gift of improved functionality and protection for your favorite photographer's lens. Give the gift of band.it for zoom and focus rings for less than $50!

Learn more about band.it.

Artbeat Studios 9x12 HD Metal Print

For a gift that wows when it's opened, give the gift of an HD Metal Print this holiday season from Artbeat Studios.

A 9x12 print is a perfect size for hanging on the wall when there isn't a ton of space, but a high-impact print is wanted.

And you don't get much more high impact than HD Metal!

These prints have breathtaking color because Artbeat Studios takes care to color check the images on color calibrated monitors.

These prints are also heat infused into a specially coated aluminum sheet for incredible durability. In fact, these HD Metal Prints are resistant to UV rays, scratches, and water.

You can even customize the look of the print by choosing different surfaces, finishes, mounting styles, and so on.

In other words, this is one heck of a gift for less than $50!

Learn more about Artbeat Studios 9x12 HD Metal Prints.

Peak Design Leash

One thing that any photographer will appreciate for Christmas is a better camera strap.

And when it comes to cutting-edge straps, it's hard to beat those put out by Peak Design.

Their Leash strap is ultra-portable, with configurations that allow it to be used as a sling, a neck strap, a safety tether, and more.

Its length is easily adjusted with dual aluminum and Hypalon quick-adjusters - even with just one finger!

The Peak Design Leash is also quick-connecting, so your favorite photographer won't have to worry about missing a shot because they're trying to get their camera strap squared away.

It can be disconnected just as easily, too, using Peak Design's Anchor Link System. Once it's detached, it can be stored easily in a camera bag or even in the photographer's pocket.

In other words, this strap is well-designed, highly functional, and at way less than $50, it's also a bargain!

Learn more about the Peak Design Leash.

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^{photo byevgenyatamanenko via iStock}

Sure, it’s only August, but before you know it, it’ll be December 24th, and you’ll have zero gifts for your favorite photographer.

Why not get a head start this year and scope out a few items that photographers will love?

This list runs the gamut of photography gadgets and accessories, all of which are under the $50 threshold. 

See what you can find to impress the photographer on your holiday shopping list!

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: CanvasHQ Print

If you’re like me, sometimes finding the perfect gift for certain loved ones is a long, drawn-out process that causes tons of stress, and often you still don’t get something that totally blows them away.

I think a lot of photographers fall into this category. We have specific likes, and many of us already have most of what we want or need gear-wise, and what we don’t have is usually too expensive to put on a Christmas wish-list anyway.

But for all those hard-to-shop-for photographers on your 2019 holiday shopping list, I have the perfect solution - a canvas print.

Think about it… 

A canvas print is a gift that keeps on giving.

Not only can you immortalize one of your favorite images from your favorite photographer, but you also give them a means to showcase their work in a format that’s drop-dead gorgeous.

I have tons of canvases in my home, the vast majority of which are from CanvasHQ.

Now, I know what you’re thinking - canvas is old school.

Sure, maybe it is, but I’m telling you that these canvas prints from CanvasHQ are mind-bogglingly beautiful. In fact, they go head-to-head with any metal or acrylic print I have in my home.

The attention to detail is just amazing, and the materials they use are top-of-the-line. We’re talking archival-grade canvas, commercial-grade inks that are water and UV resistant, and kiln-dried pine frames to keep everything straight and true.

I love the personality that the canvas texture gives my images. That’s true whether it’s a portrait of my son or a landscape photo.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the customer service you get with CanvasHQ.

These guys are committed to getting it right, so if something doesn’t go as planned, you won’t be hung out to dry.

If you have questions, they’ll answer them. If you have a problem, they’ll fix it. If you need assistance with uploading your photo or even picking the best finishes for your canvas, they’ve got your back.

In the video above, I explain why I highly recommend a CanvasHQ canvas print as the ideal gift for the photographer on your holiday shopping list.

Start shopping for your favorite photographer today on CanvasHQ!

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Holdfast Camera Leash Leather Wrist Strap

Not every photographer wants or needs a neck strap or camera harness, so why not give them the gift of a tough, useful, and gorgeous leather wrist strap? 

The Camera Leash by Holdfast is impeccably made and comes in a variety of materials, including bridle leather, water buffalo leather, American bison leather, and python skin. There are also several colors available to suit your favorite photographer’s specific tastes.

This strap is multi-functional, too.

Use it to carry your keys and attach them to a belt loop. Secure a water bottle to your backpack. Use two of them together to carry a third camera on the Holdfast MoneyMaker harness. There’s few products under $50 with that much functionality!

Plus, these things look absolutely incredible with fine details that scream, “I’m handcrafted!”

It’s a photography gift that your favorite photographer is sure to love. 

Learn more about the Holdfast Camera Leash

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Excire Search

Give a gift this year that will make your favorite photographer’s life much, much easier by giving them Excire Search. 

This software for Lightroom Classic CC has an AI-powered search engine that supercharges one’s ability to search Lightroom catalogs for photos.

In fact, it allows photographers to search for images by keyword (i.e., “dog,” or one of the other 124 keywords available) or by example, (i.e., by selecting a sample reference image of a boat from Excire’s library so it will find boat photos in the Lightroom catalog).

Additionally, Excire recognizes faces, so photographers can search for images of one, two, or multiple faces, for women or men, children or adults, and so forth.

In other words, Excire Search is the ultimate way to organize and search Lightroom catalogs. That means less time searching for the desired photos and more time actually editing them or taking new photos. What photographer wouldn’t like that?!

Learn more about Excire Search

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Kenko Nyumon Slim Circular Polarizing Filter

If the photographer on your list primarily takes landscape photos, an ideal gift for them is a high-quality circular polarizing filter.

The great thing about polarizing filters is that they can impact a photograph in many ways:

• They reduce glare off of water and other non-metallic surfaces like wet rocks or plants
• They minimize atmospheric haze so far-off features of the landscape appear more clear and crisp
• They boost the contrast of the sky with a deeper blue atmosphere and whiter clouds

But not all polarizing filters are made alike…

Kenko Nyumon filters are the #1 selling polarizer in Japan because they are crafted of precision optical glass. That means you get optimum performance and control without busting your budget.

Additionally, this filter has a slim mounting ring to prevent vignetting and it has a multi-layer coating that repels dust, water, and fingerprints. What’s not to like about that?! 

Learn more about the Kenko Nyumon Circular Polarizing Filter

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: HandlePod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount 

Does the photographer on your shopping list like to go out and adventure with their GoPro or other action cam?

I have the ideal gift idea for them - the HandlePod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount.

This ingenious gadget is a comfortable grip for shooting handheld video as well as a handy tabletop stand (or a stand for any horizontal surface for that matter).

Furthermore, it has an integrated elastic cord so you can lash it to stationary objects (i.e., a lamp post) for super steady hands-free recording.

The mount has 360-degree movement so you can capture smooth video and easily position it for the ideal still image as well.

When used as a tabletop stand or lashed to a vertical surface, its four rubber feet keep it in place for anti-slip performance.

Perhaps best of all, it weighs just 4 ounces and fits in your pocket, so your favorite photographer can always have a stabilizing mount with them for their GoPro activities.

Learn more about the HandlePod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Kenko Puro UV MC Protector Filter

 

One of the biggest threats to a photographer’s lens is scratches. Add to that dust, smudges, and environmental contaminants, and you have a bevy of things that can negatively impact the front glass element of a lens.

That’s where the Kenko Puro UV MC Protector comes in…

Offered in sizes that range from 37 to 82mm, this UV Protection filter is made of precision optical glass.

That means that not only does it shield the lens glass from damage, but it does so without negatively impacting the lens’s performance or sharpness.

Better still, the Asahi optical glass has a 16-layer multi-coating that repels dust, water, and smudges while increasing light transmission into the lens.

These filters are easy to clean and have a slim mounting ring so they won’t cause vignetting on wide-angle lenses either!

Learn more about the Kenko Puro UV MC Protector Filter

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Aputure AmaranAL-M9 Pocket-Sized Light

As the name suggests, this little light is perfectly pocket-sized so the photographer on your list can always have clean, daylight-balanced light for photos and videos.

It has nine high-efficiency SMD bulbs that are capable of 900 lux of light, which is more than enough to act as a close-up fill light. It has 9-step adjustable brightness to tailor the intensity of the light to the specific shot too.

From portraits to macro to video work, this little light offers excellent versatility with a TLCI rating of 95+.

And with an ultra-thin design and a weight of just 4.9 ounces, this light can go anywhere!

Learn more about the Aputure Amaran AL-M9 Pocket-Sized Light

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Kizoa Online Movie and Video Maker

Since videography is becoming more and more popular with photographers, why not enable your favorite photographer to create high production value movies? 

They can do that with Kizoa, an online movie and video maker that makes creating beautiful videos a simple task.

In fact, Kizoa has a vast library of ready-to-use templates so the process of creating a movie is made quick and easy.

What’s more, it offers a library of music, special effects, transitions, texts, and more. It literally takes just minutes to create a video that looks like it took weeks to put together!

Once you’re done with the video, you can quickly and easily share it on Facebook or YouTube, send it to friends and family via email, burn it to a DVD, or download it as a video file in multiple formats including MP4, AVI, MOV, MPEG2, and even GIF.

Learn more about Kizoa

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: HDRsoft Photomatix Essentials

Ask any photographer, and they’ll probably tell you that the toughest part of photography to master is exposure.

All too often, you get photos that have highlights that are too bright or shadows that are much too dark. 

But by using the power of HDR photography - high dynamic range - photographers can combine multiple exposures into a single shot, thereby getting a well-exposed image throughout.

Photomatix Essentials by HDRsoft makes that process super easy with dozens of HDR settings and presets for getting the perfect HDR photo.

HDRsoft has even incorporated multiple HDR styles to give photographers further control over how their HDR images look. Truly, creating eye-catching photos has never been easier! 

Learn more about HDRsoft Photomatix Essentials 

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Ikan Stratus 15mm Static Lens Support

If the photographer on your list has a bunch of accessories for their camera, an Ikan Stratus Cage is all but a must.

And to make the Stratus cage even more functional, you can give the gift of a 15mm static lens support this holiday season.

The support attaches to the non-rotating part of a lens and helps support its weight.

With 7/8-inches of vertical leeway, this gadget can support a lens in a number of positions.

It's easy to use, too - one of the 15mm rod mounts is open and angled, so it can be slid onto the rods from above or from the front.

And at $34.99, it's a bargain gift as well!

Learn more about the Ikan Stratus 15mm Static Lens Support

 

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I just picked up a GoPro HERO 7 Black not that long ago, and after taking it on a recent trip to Death Valley, I'm all in on the action camera thing.

I had so much fun shooting video with this thing - particularly the TimeWarp feature.

Anyway, in the weeks since I got my new GoPro, I've been testing out some accessories for it and wanted to share my thoughts on the to p10 GoPro accessories I've been able to get my hands on thus far.

Let's get started!

Table of Contents

• Top GoPro Accessories: RODE VideoMicro
• Top GoPro Accessories: RODE WS9 Windshield
• Top GoPro Accessories: Ulanzi V2 Vlog Protective Housing Case
• Top GoPro Accessories: GoPro Pro 3.5mm Microphone Adapter
• Top GoPro Accessories: Andycine Mini Hot-Shoe Stand
• Top GoPro Accessories: LitraTorch LitraPro
• Top GoPro Accessories: Joby GorillaPod 3K
• Top GoPro Accessories: HandlePod 3-Axis Action Camera Mount
• Top GoPro Accessories: GoPro Dual Battery Charger
• Top GoPro Accessories: Samsung 128GB EVO UHS-I MicroSDXC Memory Card
• Top GoPro Accessories (Honorable Mention): Wiral LITE Cable Cam

Top GoPro Accessories: RODE VideoMicro ($59.00)

This tiny shotgun microphone is perfect for a GoPro.

It's compact and lightweight, but audio quality isn't sacrificed. In fact, it has a high-quality cardioid condenser mic capsule so you can get clear, crisp audio.

And since it's a directional mic, it minimizes sounds from the periphery so your video has focused audio from the subject.

Add to that a thermoplastic suspension structure for minimizing vibrations as you adventure around with your GoPro, and you have the ideal audio companion for the best adventura camera on the market!

Learn more about the RODE VideoMicro

Top GoPro Accessories: RODE WS9 Windshield ($25.00)

There's no point in investing in a better microphone if all it picks up is the sound of the wind rushing by...

The WS9 is inexpensive, but packs a solid punch for ensuring you get the best quality audio.

With an open-cell foam enclosure covered with synthetic fur, this sucker does its job to perfection. After all, that's why it's one of my picks for the best GoPro accessories on the market today.

Learn more about the RODE WS9 Windshield

Top GoPro Accessories: Ulanzi V2 Vlog Protective Housing Case ($15.95)

This case is a must for having a microphone with your GoPro.

Not only does this case have a cold-shoe mount for the mic, but it also has a spot to hold the 3.5mm microphone adapter nicely tucked directly beneath the GoPro.

This rig is compatible with GoPro HERO 7, 6, and 5, and you can mount the case in a number of different ways, from your bike helmet to a chest belt to a monopod or selfie stick.

It's lightweight, portable, and fits the GoPro like a glove, so you don't have to worry about a clunky case getting in the way of your fun.

Learn more about the Ulanzi V2 Vlog Protective Housing Case

Top GoPro Accessories: GoPro Pro 3.5mm Microphone Adapter ($49.99)

In order to use an external mic with a GoPro, you need one of these things.

Personally, I find it really annoying that you need to shell out $50 bucks for one of these when it would have been better for GoPro just to include the 3.5mm mic port to start with!

But..good luck finding one of these for $50, as they have been out of stock for some time. I had to buy mine from someone on eBay for $106. Yikes!

Learn more about the GoPro Pro 3.5mm Microphone Adapter

Top GoPro Accessories: Andycine Mini Hot-Shoe Stand ($36.99)

If you have hot-shoe accessories you want to add to your GoPro, this little stand is a must-have.

Use it to mount a mic, LED lights, flash, or camera monitor to your GoPro...you name it!

It offers a 176-degree viewing angle with a base that rotates 360-degrees for optimal functionality.

Making adjustments is simple with 3 M3 knots and an Allen key to get things just how you want them.

Additionally, since the GoPro has such a wide-angle of view, you need to get your microphone or other accessories out of the way.

This rig puts more distance between your accessories and the GoPro to get them out of frame. 

Learn more about the Andycine Mini Hot-Shoe Stand

Top GoPro Accessories: Litra Torch LitraPro ($220.00)

Yes, the Litra Torch LitraPro is one of the more expensive GoPro accessories on this list, but it is also far and away one of the best GoPro accessories you can get your hands on...

That's because the GoPro has never been good in low-light situations. If you'll be filming without much light, you absolutely must have a light like this.

Just get a load of these specs:

• 60 LEDs
• 1200 lumens of output
• Bi-color with adjustable color temperature
• 70-degree beam angle
• 95 CRI
• Size: 2.75 x 2 x 1.2 inches
• Weight: 6 ounces

So, yeah, the LitraPro is a powerhouse despite being so small. But, hey, that small size is precisely what makes it an ideal companion for a GoPro.

This thing puts out so much light, and the fact that it's adjustable from 3000K to 6000K should not be overlooked.

I did a full review on this rig a few weeks ago. Check it out here to see why this is the best light money can buy!

Learn more about the Litra Torch LitraPro

Top GoPro Accessories: HandlePod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount ($29.95)

You might have never heard of the HandlePod 3-Axis Action Camera Mount, but I have to tell you it's one of my favorite GoPro Accessories for a couple of reasons.

For starters, it's like a Swiss Army Knife for action cameras. With its 3-axis configuration, I can use it as a grip, as a stand, and even mount it to things like a bicycle or a tree. I can hold onto it in from of me for vlogging, set it atop my desk (as shown above)...you name it!

Secondly, it's inexpensive - about $20.00 less than my beloved GorillaPod.

So, not only is the HandlePod more versatile, it's also far less expensive. What's not to like about that?!

Learn more about the HandlePod 3-Axis Action Camera Mount

Top GoPro Accessories: Joby GorillaPod 3k ($49.88)

Another must-have GoPro accessory is the Joby GorillaPod 3K.

This multi-use tripod can support just about any device that weighs less than 6.6 pounds, so if you have a light, microphone, or other accessory, or if you want to use it to support the GoPro itself, this mini tripod is up to the task.

It comes with a Ball Head 3K with a separate pan joint so you can position the camera or accessory just how you need or like. You can also use the GorillaPod 3K as a grip or wrap its legs around sturdy objects for hands-free filming.

Learn more about the Joby GorillaPod 3K

Top GoPro Accessories: GoPro Dual Battery Charger ($49.00)

Not only does this charger enable quick charging of two GoPro batteries, but it also comes with a spare battery in the first place!

You can charge the batteries via a USB port or for up to 45 percent faster charging, you can add a GoPro Supercharger to the equation.

GoPro batteries can drain fast, so having a backup that's fully charged and a means of recharging the batteries quickly is an absolute must.

Learn more about the GoPro Dual Battery Charger

Top GoPro Accessories: Samsung 128GB EVO UHS-I MicroSDXC Memory Card ($23.99)

A fast memory card is a must for shooting GoPro videos, and the Samsung 128GB EVO UHS-I certainly doesn't disappoint.

It's got plenty of storage, that's for sure, and with lightning-fast read/write speeds of up to 100MB/s, you won't have to sit around and wait for it to do its thing.

In fact, it'll transfer a 3GB video to your computer in 38 seconds. Nice!

This card is also waterproof, temperature resistant, X-ray proof, and has a 10-year warranty. Not bad, right?

Learn more about the Samsung 128GB EVO UHS-I MicroSDXC Memory Card

Top GoPro Accessories Honorable Mention: Wiral LITE Cable Cam ($399.00)

I just got this thing, so I haven't had a chance to fully test it.

However, in the little time I've had to play around with it, I can tell it's going to be a rockstar GoPro accessory for me.

It's billed as the world's first easy-to-use cable cam system, and so far, I wholeheartedly agree that it's easy to use.

It's just a simple rope system that takes about three minutes to set up, but it gets your viewers close to the action with smooth, long video sequences that you'd expect from a much bigger and pricier unit.

Check out the video above to see what I mean - this thing is totally awesome!

Learn more about the Wiral LITE Cable Cam

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^{Photo by lucas Favre on Unsplash}

Editor's Note: This article was written before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Obviously, travel right now is difficult, if not impossible. Let these suggestions for GoPro gear be advice for future travels. In the meantime, stay healthy and safe.

As someone who purchased the very first GoPro ages ago, the amount of GoPro accessories currently available on the market is shocking.  

And as someone who travels frequently, all of my GoPro accessories for traveling are lifesavers. They ensure my more expensive photography gear isn’t stolen, while ensuring I also put out the same quality content my followers expect.

Here are my top GoPro accessories for 2020. 

Camera: GoPro HERO 8 Black

There’s no point in purchasing GoPro accessories if you don’t already have a GoPro... 

I need to upgrade my GoPro every couple of years to ensure my footage is as crisp as possible, and honestly, I feel like the GoPro HERO 8 is the most improved GoPro to date.

First of all, it features 4K video, which is extremely impressive for something this small.

Second, the inclusion of digital lenses allows you to vary your looks, from narrow to SuperView and points in between.

Third, Hypersmooth is now updated with a 2.0 version that does a better job of stabilizing your footage, even if you’re recording as you ride down a bumpy mountain biking trail.

Additionally, its low-light capabilities are nearly unprecedented. Of course, you get the same go-anywhere, do-anything ruggedness you expect.

Plus, it’s only $350, which is also unheard of in the photography gear industry. 

 

Recommended Photography Reading

• National Geographic Photo Basics: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Great Photography
• Photography: The Definitive Visual History
• Read This if You Want to Take Great Photographs

 

Light: LitraPro

When shopping for GoPro accessories, especially if you’re planning on taking them traveling, the most important thing is portability. Is this accessory going to weigh you down? 

With the LitraPro, this isn’t an issue. First, the LitraPro only weighs 6oz, which is the equivalent of a hockey puck. It’s really, really tiny. 

However, that doesn’t mean it can’t perform. The LitraPro lasts for up to 10 hours on a single charge, is 100% dimmable, and features 1,200 lumens. That’s enough to easily light a space of up to 10 feet.

 

It’s 2.8 x 2 x 1.2 inches, is drop resistant and waterproof up to 90 feet, and can mount directly to your GoPro. 

Plus, I’ve used my LitraPro for everything from underwater photography to light painting to portraits and everything in between. It’s extremely versatile! 

You can pick up yours for $220. 

Tripod: Octopad

While the Octopad isn’t technically a tripod, it does work better than any tripod I’ve ever bought for under $30. 

The Octopad, like the rest of our GoPro accessories, is incredibly lightweight at 1.6 lbs and small at 6.5” across. 

You can use the Octopad as a mount for your GoPro or your lighting or your microphone because it doesn’t buckle under weight or slip on uneven surfaces due to its anti-slip technology. 

When looking for travel photography accessories, you’re also looking for accessories that are cheap because the chances of getting your photography gear stolen or lost during travel is much higher. 

In this case, you’ll be happy to know that the Octopad is just $27, so if someone absconds with it, you can replace it on the cheap.

Learn More:

• Octopad: Why You Need One
• 2019 Top Cameras for Vlogging

Handheld Mount: HandlePod

While shopping for GoPro accessories, make sure you purchase a mount to keep your videography stable.

I use the HandlePod for its $35 price tag, its portability (it fits in your pocket at just 4oz!), and its lifetime warranty.

 

My favorite thing about the HandlePod is that it functions just like a more expensive handheld mount. It rotates 360 degrees, it doesn’t slip in your hand, and it's big enough to have a comfortable grip without being unwieldy.  

Plus, it can be used as a tabletop tripod when need be, and it can be lashed to things like trees or fence posts when you’re out filming and you need to work hands-free.

GoPro Floating Grip

I’m not frequently shooting in water, but when I am, I always wish I had the necessary GoPro accessories to make that shoot as easy as possible.

The GoPro floating grip allows me to shoot in water for the low price of $30, while maintaining stability in the choppiest of waters. 

It comes with a wrist strap, so you’re always sure you’re never going to lose your GoPro, and neon coloring just in case you do. 

Extra Batteries

 

There’s no point in purchasing GoPro accessories if your actual GoPro runs out of steam.

For just $20, make sure you purchase extra GoPro batteries. 

Battery Charger

Just in case you forgot to purchase your extra GoPro batteries, the GoPro Dual Battery Charger charges up to 2 GoPro batteries at once to ensure you’re always ready to shoot.  

It’s only $50 and comes with a 1 year warranty. What’s not to love? 

Learn More:

• 9 GoPro MAX Tips You Need to Know
• Tricks for Shooting B-Roll Solo

 

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^{Photo by lzf via iStock}

Can you believe it's been 15 years since the first GoPro went on the market?

Crazy, right?

In the decade-and-a-half since, GoPros have become the most recognized action camera in the world. Their durability, functionality, battery life, and other features have made leaps and bounds over the years to make GoPros fully-featured video and still cameras.

What's also changed a lot is the accessories you can buy for GoPros. It used to be a selection of suction cup mounts and harnesses. That's no longer the case.

So, I thought I'd take a look at some of the unusual GoPro accessories on the market that make GoPros even more functional.

Table of Contents

• Hazard 4® Cyclone™
• Octopus.Camera OctoPad
• Handlepod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount
• LitraTorch 2.0
• GOWORX GoKnuckles
• Wiral Lite Cable Cam System

Hazard 4^® Cyclone™

As much as GoPros have improved over the years, there is no denying the tiny, ultra reflective screen. That glare in the sun makes it annoying to compose your shots, and can cause significant eye strain too. Throw in blowing water, sand, or snow, and you have a situation in which it's virtually impossible to see what you're framing up.

But now there's a real solution to this issue - the Hazard 4® Cyclone™ optical viewfinder.

Not only does this patent-pending device block out the bright sun so you can actually see the GoPro's screen, but it magnifies that small screen to give you a better look at the details.

Additionally, the Cyclone™ protects the GoPro screen from the elements, avoiding scratches and other damage that makes the screen even more difficult to see.

Speaking of the elements, it’s waterproof in rain or snow, and durable for a go-anywhere addition to your GoPro.

Hazard 4® took care to design this device in a way that it is easy to mount to your action cam. It takes just seconds to mount it to your GoPro's bottom screw, enabling you to quickly review the scene and get your shots without missing any action.

What makes the Cyclone™ unusual is that it isn't just a viewfinder.

Instead, you can tilt it downward and use it as a handle, which keeps your fingers out of the frame so you can get clean, unobstructed shots. And with an inexpensive add-on, you can head mount the Cyclone™ for occasions when you need your hands free.

It collapses down for transport. Heck, this thing can even be used as a mini tripod if need be!

With a diopter focus for getting a crystal-clear view, a tether loop for keeping this gadget close-by, and a high-vis, self-closing cap to protect the lens, the Cyclone™ just doesn't quit with innovative and unusual features that greatly increase the functionality of your GoPro.

Learn more about the Hazard 4® Cyclone™

Octopus.Camera OctoPad

One of the most interesting and unusual GoPro accessories I got my hands on this year is this little fella, the Octopus.Camera OctoPad.

What I've found is that this gadget is a much better alternative than more traditional suction cup mounts for my GoPro.

That's because it has a weighted anti-slip mat to help keep it in place, even when the going gets rough.

In fact, I mount my GoPro to my OctoPad and put it on my dashboard to use as a dashcam, and it stays in plays - even when I go offroad.

Aside from its ability to stay put, OctoPad doesn't wither under the weight of my GoPro like some mini tripods have done in years past.

And with a 1/4-20 threaded male bolt, the OctoPad enables me to add accessories for recording videos, like my LitraTorch 2.0 (discussed below).

But the OctoPad isn't just for using with a GoPro. You can use it as a light stand, a microphone stand, a stand for your smartphone, and even as a support device for a compact camera.

OctoPad is easy to use and easy to transport, too. It takes up next to no space in my camera bag, and it has a built-in grommet for carrying it with a lanyard.

There's even a cable strap to keep your camera cables and accessory cables out of your shots. Nice!

OctoPad is durable, functional, and has tons of uses. It's also budget-friendly! If that isn't a great combination of features for a GoPro accessory, I don't know what is.

Learn more about the Octopus.Camera OctoPad

HandlePod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount

The great thing about the HandlePod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount is that you can use it in a variety of ways, depending on what the situation calls for.

It's a fantastic grip for shooting handheld video, but it also deploys as a stand to act like a mini tripod (as shown above). It even comes with an elastic cord for lashing it to objects like trees or fenceposts to get hands-free video and stills with your GoPro.

So whether you're indoors or out, stationary or on the move, the HandlePod can help you get steady and stable video with your GoPro.

Learn more about the HandlePod 3-Axis Action Camera Mount

LitraTorch 2.0 

As I mentioned earlier, I often use a light with my GoPro, and that light is the tiny, yet powerful LitraTorch 2.0.

At just 1.5 x 1.5 x 1.65 inches and weighing 3.17 ounces, this is the perfect light to use with a GoPro.

In terms of portability, you just can't beat this thing!

This light has 16 LEDs that offer 100, 450, or 800 lumens depending on what you need for the shot.

Regardless of the lumen output, you’ll get clean, crisp, flicker-free light with a 70-degree beam angle. As you’d expect from Litra, this light offers a CRI of 90+ and a TLCI of 92.

You can use the light on its low setting for up to four hours or get about 35 minutes of output on the maximum brightness.

It’s also waterproof to 60 feet in case you need to do a little scuba diving, has a magnet for easily attaching to metal surfaces, and two ¼-20 mounts too.

The LitraTorch 2.0 is simply a versatile, do-anything light, and is the ideal pairing with a versatile, do-anything camera like the GoPro!

Learn more about the LitraTorch 2.0

GOWORX GoKnuckles

What might be the most unusual GoPro accessory on this list is the GOWORX GOKnuckles pictured above.

This unique handheld mount certainly won't go anywhere thanks to its interlocking design.

The patented design connects with your fingers so you get reliable and secure hands-free performance while you're skiing, paragliding, snorkeling, skating, and so forth.

The durable rubberized plastic construction is safe in fresh and saltwater, sand, snow, and other elements.

You can use the mount on either hand for low-profile, hassle-free performance with your GoPro.

And since it's just 5.5-inches long and weighs 3 ounces, it's a GoPro accessory you can easily throw in your camera back and take on every adventure!

Learn more about the GOWORX GoKnuckles

Wiral LITE Cable Cam System

 

Another one of my favorite and unusual GoPro accessories is the Wiral LITE Cable Cam system.

Cable cam systems aren’t anything new, but what makes this one so unique is how small, lightweight, and easy to set up it is.

In fact, one of the most unusual features of this rig is that it takes about three minutes to set up. Crazy!

The Wiral Lite includes just three components - the main unit (shown above), the remote control, and the quick reel rope system.

The whole thing is tiny and super portable, so it's easy to take along with you on your adventures with your GoPro.

It has a payload of up to 3.3 pounds, so it has more than enough capacity for your Hero 6, 7, or 8.

The cable itself is incredibly innovative, too.

The unit comes with 164 feet of rope (or you can get an optional 328-foot length if need be) so you can send your GoPro over just about any span you want.

The thinness of the rope is absolutely incredible - it’s just 0.1 inches thick. It can be that thin because Wiral uses UHMWPE ultra static rope that’s incredibly lightweight without sacrificing payload capacity or safety.

It really is quite a marvel, which you can see in my video above. I think we got some pretty darn good footage myself!

Learn more about the Wiral LITE Cable Cam System

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Blurry pictures are the bane of every photographer's existence. It can ruin an otherwise great photo, and there's a number of different things that can cause blurriness.

The depth of field might be too shallow, or your focus point might be off. You might be using a shutter speed that's too slow to freeze movement. You might also be using a shutter speed that's too slow to hold your camera steady.

In this article, I want to discuss the latter issue - using a shutter speed that's too slow to keep your camera steady - and explore a few ways you can steady your camera to get sharper photos.

Image Stabilization

There are two different kinds of image stabilization: in-camera and lens-based.

In-camera image stabilization involves the image sensor physically moving to make up for any movements detected by the camera. On the other hand, lens-based image stabilization utilizes a floating lens element that is shifted electronically to oppose any camera shake that the camera detects.

Both types have their benefits and detriments.

In-camera image stabilization means the camera applies the stabilization to whatever lens you're using. That's nice because you can buy non-image stabilized lenses, which tend to be cheaper. The downside is that in-camera stabilization isn't as effective, especially with long lenses.

Naturally, lens-based image stabilization has the benefit of offering better performance with long lenses, though that comes at a cost to your pocketbook.

Something else to be aware of with image stabilization of the in-camera variety is that if you use it while the camera is mounted on a tripod or resting on another solid surface, the image stabilization could actually make the image blurrier.

This seems illogical, but what happens is that the camera's image stabilization system will detect the vibrations caused by the camera, resulting in a feedback loop in which it tries to compensate for the movement it's causing.

A problem with lens-based image stabilization is that since it's controlled electronically, it'll run down your camera battery. The bigger the lens and the bigger the camera's sensor, the faster the battery will drain.

That means that image stabilization isn't always the best option, so you need other means of getting sharper photos.

Learn More:

• 4 Budget-Friendly Items All Mirrorless Owners Should Have in Their Camera Bag
• How to Stabilize Your Camera For Sharper Images

Try HandlePod

When I need something to ensure I get sharper photos but without breaking the bank, I turn to my HandlePod.

This thing is incredibly versatile in that you can use it in a number of ways to stave off blurriness.

You can set it on a solid surface and use it as a tabletop quadpod to get images that are nice and sharp.

You can also fold down the handle and simply press HandlePod against a solid surface like a tree or a fencepost to gain added stability.

And with an integrated elastic cord, HandlePod can be lashed to a sturdy object for hands-free image-taking, as you can see in the image above.

But that's not the only great thing about HandlePod...

It's a tiny little thing, small enough to fit in your pocket, so you can use it as a tripod alternative when you're traveling, when you need to work lean and mean, and for those occasions when a full-sized tripod just won't work.

What's more, you can use HandlePod to steady your camera by folding the handle down and using it as a hand grip. This helps stabilize your camera whether you're shooting photos or videos.

It has a slotted camera mount as well, meaning it'll work with just about any sized camera from a small point-and-shoot to a hefty full frame DSLR.

Keeping blurry images at bay doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. That's why I use HandlePod!

Learn More:

• Get the Specs and Pricing on HandlePod
• A Step-by-Step Guide to Shooting Without a Tripod

Use a Full-Size Tripod

Of course, stabilizing your camera can also be done with a full-sized tripod.

The great thing about a traditional tripod is that some models come with an array of features that help you get better, sharper photos.

The Sirui W-2204 tripod shown above, for example, is made of lightweight carbon fiber, so it's easier to carry, yet incredibly strong.

Additionally, since it's made of 10-layer carbon fiber, it also helps suppress vibrations to keep your images nice and sharp.

 

Beyond that, this tripod has a removable leg that you can use as a monopod so that you can get the best of both worlds in one rig.

Likewise, the center column can be added for additional height, or it can be inverted for interesting low-angle shots.

The W-2204 is also waterproof, has four-section legs with three leg angles to accommodate varied terrain, and a center column hook to provide ballast for instances in which the wind is blowing. It'll support nearly 40 pounds of gear, too.

In other words, a full-sized tripod is a great way to stabilize your images. And if you're like me, you'll have both a full-sized tripod and a HandlePod in your bag to have all the bases covered!

Learn More:

• Get the Specs and Pricing on the Sirui W-2204 Tripod
• 9 Items Any Photographer Would Want in Their Camera Bag

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When you’re traveling, it’s sometimes hard not to get stuck in your schedule or itinerary and rush around trying to see and experience everything possible.

Naturally, rushing from one experience to the next doesn’t leave you much time to take photos. And even if you do stop to snap a few pictures, you might feel the pressure of time and only get the postcard shots of main attractions without looking around for other photo opportunities.

In a recent blog post, the fine folks at Handlepod offered up a few tips for making the most of your time when traveling that will help you create better pictures, every time. Here’s what they recommend…

Look Around

As noted above, in your travel rush you might spend all your time photographing the major scenes and not even think about looking around for other, less common photo opportunities. Photos of iconic places are a dime a dozen, so why not challenge yourself to take a photo of something that’s seldom seen? Even everyday subjects - street vendors or a couple holding hands as they walk down the street - can make for a stunning photo. By looking around, you’ll be able to have a more in-depth experience as you travel, and you’ll have great photos to supplement those postcard shots of iconic subjects.

Try Different Genres

At home, you might prefer to spend your time photographing landscapes or taking portraits, but when you’re traveling, there’s simply so much to see and photograph that you need to expand your horizons and try something new. As you move from one place to the next, challenge yourself to create portraits, abstracts, landscapes, street portraits, architectural photos, and so on. As mentioned earlier, the variety of shots you take will then help you create a more well-rounded collection of photos that reminds you of all aspects of your trip. No one wants to see an album full of nothing but old monuments anyway!

Nighttime is Where It’s At

Though a lot of your travels will be during the daytime, when you have a chance, head out with your camera in the evening to capture the magic of a sunset, and then stick around for some shots of city lights. Not only will the challenge of nighttime shooting help you keep those photography skills sharp, but you’ll see your travel destinations in a completely different way as well. Just be sure to have something to stabilize your camera, like the Handlepod (shown above), so that those slower shutter speeds don’t mess up your long exposure shots. Just drop your Handlepod in your camera bag (or just slide it in your pocket!), and you’ll have a device that gives your camera all the stability it needs for a clear, crisp shot.

The next time you take to the skies and travel to a far-off destination, take these suggestions to heart. Your pictures will be for the better, and when you show off your travels to your family and friends, they’ll be even more impressed with your photography prowess!

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