When you're heading out for a full day of shooting, the last thing you want is a heavy camera bag. But there are a few things that I can't work without, and they really don't add enough weight to ruin your day. Here are 5 things I always bring along:
Epson's Multimedia Photo Viewers These small, portable backup/storage/display devices can truly save the day if you are out shooting and find yourself with filled up memory cards and lots left to see. You can transfer photos (as well as video and music) straight from your camera or through the built in card slots. The viewers come in three different configurations: the P-3000 has a 40GB hard drive, the P-6000 80GB, and the P-7000 160GB. All measure 3.5x5.9x1.3" and weigh 1lb, and some of the features include 4" screens, long life rechargeable batteries, and A/V output. $299-$699.
Joby Gorillapods I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a big fan of tripods. They're heavy and clunky and for the kind of photography I like to do, limiting. But sometimes you can't get around it - you need to use a tripod for certain shots. Gorillapod to the rescue! These funky-looking gadgets are really lightweight and relatively inexpensive - $24.95 for the 1.6 oz point and shoot variety, $44.95 for the 5.8 oz SLR model - but best of all, their bendable, flexible legs can be twisted around a huge variety of things (railings, your bike, a tree branch, etc.). You can of course also leave the legs straight and use it as a regular tripod.
Flash Diffusers If you have managed to get a great shot with your on camera flash, I congratulate you. It's very difficult to do, but carrying around (and learning) external flashes can be a pain too. Here are two homemade flash remedies that work really well (although an external flash is the way to go for professional results).
For popup flashes, use an old film canister (not the black ones obviously, the hazy white ones). Take the lid off, cut a strip out of it from top to bottom, just wide enough so that it fits snugly over your flash, and just slide it in place so that the flash is being fired through the canister. You'll have to play around with the camera settings a little bit to get the exposure to where you want it. If you don't have any old canisters lying about, ask at a photo printing shop if you can have one.
For on-body flashes (like on most point and shoots), I put a small piece of tape (Scotch Magic, the kind you can write on) right over the flash. Take a test picture and evaluate. If it needs even more softening, just put another piece of tape on top of the first one.
Collapsible Reflector It might seem like an unnecessary expense, but these small, lightweight disks are invaluable for adding light to the shaded part of a person or object, both indoors and out. I use the 22" Photoflex disk in Silver/White for just about everything, but they come in several different colors. Give it a try yourself: place a person parallel to a window and take a head shot without the reflector. Then take one with your subject holding the reflector (outside of the picture of course) so that it bounces the light from the window onto the shaded side of their face, and look at the difference. If you want to do the test shots before investing, try it with a white piece of cardboard. It works just as well, but it's not as easy to pack in a bag. Weight: 1.75 oz. (22" Photoflex) Cost: Around $25.
Waterproofing Don't pass up a great photo opportunity just because it's snowing or raining! If you're an SLR user, check out the Shutter Hat. It looks like a little raincoat and is held in place with the help of a rubber piece that fits into the hot shoe, as well as several Velcro dots. It covers lenses up to 8", weighs 2.28 oz., and retails for $39.95. When not in use, it folds into a tiny rectangle, making it really easy to bring along everywhere.
If you use a point and shoot, you can go with the low-cost alternative for land-only shooting: a Ziploc bag or shower cap with a hole cut out for the lens. But if you want to invest in something a bit sturdier that you can use while white water rafting, snorkeling, or getting drenched by Shamu, your best bet is an Aquapac waterproof case. The point and shoot cases (they make them for SLRs too, and pretty much everything else) come in several different sizes and cost $35.00-$55.00. - 23802
Epson's Multimedia Photo Viewers These small, portable backup/storage/display devices can truly save the day if you are out shooting and find yourself with filled up memory cards and lots left to see. You can transfer photos (as well as video and music) straight from your camera or through the built in card slots. The viewers come in three different configurations: the P-3000 has a 40GB hard drive, the P-6000 80GB, and the P-7000 160GB. All measure 3.5x5.9x1.3" and weigh 1lb, and some of the features include 4" screens, long life rechargeable batteries, and A/V output. $299-$699.
Joby Gorillapods I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a big fan of tripods. They're heavy and clunky and for the kind of photography I like to do, limiting. But sometimes you can't get around it - you need to use a tripod for certain shots. Gorillapod to the rescue! These funky-looking gadgets are really lightweight and relatively inexpensive - $24.95 for the 1.6 oz point and shoot variety, $44.95 for the 5.8 oz SLR model - but best of all, their bendable, flexible legs can be twisted around a huge variety of things (railings, your bike, a tree branch, etc.). You can of course also leave the legs straight and use it as a regular tripod.
Flash Diffusers If you have managed to get a great shot with your on camera flash, I congratulate you. It's very difficult to do, but carrying around (and learning) external flashes can be a pain too. Here are two homemade flash remedies that work really well (although an external flash is the way to go for professional results).
For popup flashes, use an old film canister (not the black ones obviously, the hazy white ones). Take the lid off, cut a strip out of it from top to bottom, just wide enough so that it fits snugly over your flash, and just slide it in place so that the flash is being fired through the canister. You'll have to play around with the camera settings a little bit to get the exposure to where you want it. If you don't have any old canisters lying about, ask at a photo printing shop if you can have one.
For on-body flashes (like on most point and shoots), I put a small piece of tape (Scotch Magic, the kind you can write on) right over the flash. Take a test picture and evaluate. If it needs even more softening, just put another piece of tape on top of the first one.
Collapsible Reflector It might seem like an unnecessary expense, but these small, lightweight disks are invaluable for adding light to the shaded part of a person or object, both indoors and out. I use the 22" Photoflex disk in Silver/White for just about everything, but they come in several different colors. Give it a try yourself: place a person parallel to a window and take a head shot without the reflector. Then take one with your subject holding the reflector (outside of the picture of course) so that it bounces the light from the window onto the shaded side of their face, and look at the difference. If you want to do the test shots before investing, try it with a white piece of cardboard. It works just as well, but it's not as easy to pack in a bag. Weight: 1.75 oz. (22" Photoflex) Cost: Around $25.
Waterproofing Don't pass up a great photo opportunity just because it's snowing or raining! If you're an SLR user, check out the Shutter Hat. It looks like a little raincoat and is held in place with the help of a rubber piece that fits into the hot shoe, as well as several Velcro dots. It covers lenses up to 8", weighs 2.28 oz., and retails for $39.95. When not in use, it folds into a tiny rectangle, making it really easy to bring along everywhere.
If you use a point and shoot, you can go with the low-cost alternative for land-only shooting: a Ziploc bag or shower cap with a hole cut out for the lens. But if you want to invest in something a bit sturdier that you can use while white water rafting, snorkeling, or getting drenched by Shamu, your best bet is an Aquapac waterproof case. The point and shoot cases (they make them for SLRs too, and pretty much everything else) come in several different sizes and cost $35.00-$55.00. - 23802
About the Author:
DeeDee Dobson adores the color pink. She blogs about point and shoot pink digital cameras and the accessories that go along with them
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