Useful photography gadgets

BY ALLEN MACARTNEY

Photography gadgets. I’ve got lots of them. But how many really

improve picture taking and make it easier to capture that perfect image? Let’s look at nine gadgets that everyone should own. You’ll find all these products (or similar ones) in local camera stores.

Gorillapod. ($45)

This utterly outstanding and

versatile mini tripod will grip anything from a canoe gunnel to a pine tree when you need a steady surface for shooting digital photos or video. It fits easily into any pack.

SpyderCube. ($40)

Everyone from advanced amateurs

to professional photographers will want a SpyderCube. This tiny cube-like gadget will ensure that colours are perfectly balanced, not faded or washed out. Also, it will show you where the light is coming from – even on a dull, cloudy day.

Lightweight monopod. ($45-$85)

If you don’t want to lug around a

tripod during an outdoor adventure, at least carry an aluminum monopod. Monopods have a built-in camera attachment on the top so you can take a photo even in relative low light without blurring the image. The best monopods also have a contoured hand grip so they double as a walking pole. Manfrotto, Velbon, and Induro make sturdy ones.

32 ottawaoutdoors

Ensolite pad. ($10)

Available from

any outdoor store for about $10, an ensolite pad is a must when shooting flowers or bugs at grass or knee-level. Simply lay this lightweight pad down on wet or rough ground, and you’ll be able to shoot comfortably for as long as you want.

Camera backpack. ($70-$90)

Several manufacturers make excellent ones, including Lowepro, Tamrac and Roots. Backpacks come in all sizes and shapes. Get a compact one with wide comfortable straps, durable water-resistant fabric and protective foam dividers.

Camera bag. ($60-$90)

Some people prefer a camera shoulder bag to a backpack. Avoid large, heavy bags. They get left in the car. Stick to a medium-size one that will protect one camera, two lenses and several gadgets. Tamrac, Lowepro and Roots make a wide range of bags with adjustable foam-padded internal dividers that will fit any camera/lens.

Ultraviolet filter. ($55)

An ultraviolet filter

will protect your expensive camera lens from scratches and other damage. Choose a 1A filter, which has a slight pinkish blush that will “warm” your images imperceptibly.

Camera strap. ($20-$40)

Why do we always

forget this item? But a good, comfortable strap

protects your expensive camera when you drop it – and that happens to all of us sometime! Get one with quick release buckles (for ease of use), and extra padding (for comfort).

Spotting binoculars. ($60-$90)

Why does a photographer

need binoculars? Good question. All beautiful scenes are actually made up of a series of stunning images. Your brain just puts them all together in an imperceptible mosaic. Most photographers

see only the

single, obvious scene, then walk away not realizing that there are probably five to ten equally beautiful pictures tucked into the one panorama. Compact binoculars help single those other shots out of the beautiful clutter. Nikon

and Bushnell make excellent binoculars with multi-coated lenses and textured pads.

~ Allen Macartney has had photographs exhibited in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa.

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