Ten low cost Christmas gifts for the outdoor photographer
We’ve all heard (and no doubt started to feel the impact) of rising energy prices. Recent increases to the cost of living have left us all with increased food and fuel bills. More than ever, we are all ‘feeling the pinch’ and wondering where we can save money in order to pay for the essentials. As if that wasn’t enough, the recent autumn budget announced more austerity to come in 2023 and beyond. Mindful of this and with Christmas just around the corner, we’re all looking for Christmas gifts that don’t cost the earth but will still be special to the recipient.
As a landscape photographer I’m often asked about the kit in my bag, the camera or lens I would recommend and what I think would be the ideal gift for a budding landscape photographer. So with that in mind, I’ve put together a list of 10 cheap, low cost budget items of £10.00 or less that I use and would recommend to any outdoor photographer. So, whether you’re buying for a landscape photographer or a nature photographer, there’s something here that the photography enthusiast is sure to appreciate.
Before I begin, I feel it’s important to state that as I recommend my 10 low cost Christmas gifts for the outdoor photographer, I need to make clear that the sites I’m pointing you to are merely suggestions. I am not affiliated to any of these sites and I do not receive a commission for pointing you towards these sites. I’m simply suggesting them as a possible source - so feel free to shop around and satisfy yourself that you’ve got the deal that’s right for you.
Ten low cost Christmas gifts for the outdoor photographer
1 - Lens Cleaning products - Every photographer will know that a clean lens is essential to obtaining a good photograph. What you use to keep your lens clean (and how you use it) is important. A good lens cleaning fluid used in conjunction with a lens tissue will work wonders to keep away dust or smear from a misplaced finger print. When it comes to lens cleaning fluid it’s alway worth sticking with a trusted provider. This Zeiss lens cleaning solution is just £10.00.
2 - Blower brush and cloth - Sticking with the theme of keeping your lenses clean, I always keep a blower and a soft lens cloth in my camera bag. These are ideal for blowing away dust particles and fine debris that are often attracted to lenses as soon as the lens cap is removed. The blower is a simple but effective way to keep the lens clean without the need to touch it. The soft cloth is a safe way to wipe away the more stubborn marks without having to resort to liquid cleaners. Check out these two links for an effective £8.99 lens blower and for an £8.99 lens cleaning cloth .
3 - DEPSSI card - DEPSSI stands for Depth of Field, Sunrise, Sunset Indicator. This simple but very effective tool helps me enormously in planning my landscape photography and has saved me countless hours of time. The size of a credit card, I always keep one in my photography bag and often in my wallet. Used alongside a compass, simply align the DEPSSI card north and you’ll get an instant readout of where the sun will rise and set at any time of year. Any outdoor photographer will find this invaluable for their planning and it will save them many lost hours as a result of arriving on scene at the wrong time of day. Just a word of caution if deciding to buy one - make sure you buy the card relevant to where you live in the world (northern or southern hemisphere) and for the type of camera to be used. Check out the following links for more information on the blue DEPSSI card suitable for smaller cameras and the green DEPSSI card for 35mm and full frame sensors .
For a demonstration of how to use the DEPSSI card visit my YouTube video.
4 - Waterproof notepad. Whenever I go to a new location I always like to make notes - often used in tandem with my DEPSSI card above. I like to make a quick sketch of the scene and note where the sun will rise and set at the given time of year and note when I want to take the landscape photograph. For example, if I’m visiting in summer but want to return for a winter photograph, I simply note the sunrise and sunset times for winter. That way, I’ll know where the sun will be in the scene and can return in time for my optimum moment. For just £2.99 you can get a waterproof notepad .
5 - A bungee cord with soft hooks. It may sound a little odd but I always keep a bungee cord with soft rubber hook ends in my camera bag. As a landscape photographer I’m always mindful of not detrimentally impacting upon the landscape. That means that if I have a branch in the way of my desired shot I won’t break it off. This is where the bungee cord comes in. I use it to hook the branch out of the way and when I’ve taken my shot I can release the branch unharmed. I get my shot and the environment is unscathed. Regular outdoor, landscape and nature photographers will undoubtably have occasions when they’ll appreciate having one of these to hand. For only £2.35 you can save the planet and keep your outdoor photographer happy with a bungee cord with hooks.
6 - Waterproof rain cover. Some waterproof rain covers can be expensive but you needn’t pay the earth to keep your camera dry during a shower. It’s possible to purchase simple covers cheaply that will do the job. For just £6.99 you can save your photographer’s camera gear from the worst of the elements.
7 - Sit mat. I always carry a sit mat - they have a two-fold use. Firstly, as the name suggests, it gives me something comfortable to sit on when I’m taking a break - it also helps keep me warm and dry when the ground is damp. Secondly, I find that a stiff sit mat will double-up as an effective lens hood to keep the bulk of the sun off my lens when shooting at right angles or even into the sun. Depending on where the sun is located when taking the photograph, holding the sit mat above or to the sides of the lens will effectively reduce glare and help to keep the image crisp. At just £1.79 these sit mats will keep your photographer comfortable and not break the bank.
8 - Knee pads. Any photographer will know that getting the right photograph often means getting down low to the ground and as a landscape photographer I spend a lot of time on the floor. A pair of good knee pads are essential for keeping the photographer comfortable when kneeling for long periods. Whether waiting for the light to change or the perfect nature shot, landscape photographers and outdoor photographers will appreciate having a handy set of cheap lightweight knee pads in their kit bag.
9 - Hand warmers. When winter sets in and the weather gets cold, a photographer’s hands become vulnerable. It’s hard having to strip off the gloves and operate the camera controls with bare hands because the knobs and dials are too small to operate through gloves. Perfect for the colder weather, a pair of hand warmers in the kit bag will help bring much welcomed relief and comfort for the photographer who has worked with their gloves off for a period of time. Simply keep these in the pocket and once activated, they’ll keep hands warm for up to 10 hours! At only £1 for a pack of two, these hand warmers will rekindle your outdoor photographer’s hands - bliss!
10 - Small groundsheet. This is another of those items where you think “what does he carry one of those for”? Well I find that a small groundsheet in my bag has dual benefits. Firstly, it gives me a dry base upon which to work. This is especially helpful when the ground is wet and I want to put my kitbag down and avoid getting it soaked or muddy. Secondly, with my bag on the groundsheet, if the weather changes and I get a sudden downpour, I simply fold the groundsheet over the top of the bag and it effectively keeps all of my kit dry. In the notorious British weather a lightweight groundsheet is an indispensable piece of kit for the landscape, nature and outdoor photographer in your life.
Hopefully these low cost 10 Christmas gift suggestions for the landscape and outdoor photographer will help you with that Christmas gift dilemma. If you’re looking to fill a Christmas stocking this could be the perfect answer that doesn’t break the bank.
Wanting something more for the landscape photographer? Why not give a workshop gift voucher? Simply check out my website to find out about the range of landscape photography workshops on offer.