Knowing what a photographer wants for the holidays is easy. There’s always a new body, lens, light, or other piece of equipment that he (or she) is lusting after. Actually being able to afford that item is whole other matter.

Don’t worry about blowing your whole budget on one person though - I’ve got several gift ideas for photographers under $25. Intrigued? Read on.

1. Give the Gift of Flickr - $24.95: Flickr is one of the most popular photo sharing sites around - heck, I daresay it is the best photo sharing site. I admit, their free account is already loaded with features, but a pro Flickr account is something any photographer, whether beginner or pro, will appreciate. I should know - I want one too.
2. Ease Their Load - $20~: Unless your shutterbug friend is a die-hard fan of one camera brand, he’s probably willing to part with the strap that originally came with his camera. Aside from offering better padding and other nifty features, third-party camera straps aren’t usually plastered with their manufacturers’ logo. I personally use the LowePro Voyager C ($24.95) and love the quick-release buckles and built-in (but still removable) memory card wallet. I also recommend LowePro’s Voyager S and Transporter models.
3. Set Them Straight - $19.95: Spirit or bubble levels can help get that camera perfectly level - coming in handy for landscape, architecture, and even portrait photography. Just slip it into your hot shoe and say goodbye to slanted photos.
4. Help Them Remember - $10 and up: A photographer can never have enough memory. With megapixel counts are still climbing and raw shooters multiplying, the need for larger memory cards has also grown. Whether they use, CF, SD, XD, MS or some other digital media, extra memory cards are always welcome.
5. Charge Them Up - $8 and up: Like memory, a photographer can never have too much power. If your photographer uses an external flash, chances are he’s using AA batteries to power them. If he’s not already using rechargeable batteries, he should - they are better than alkalines in just about every way. He’ll save quite a bit on alkalines, and he’ll thank you for it.
6. Clean Them Up - $2 and up: Cameras and dust are mortal enemies - that’s why there are so many products for cleaning photography gear: air blowers, lens pens, microfiber cloths, sensor swabs, and a bunch of other things. Some have even put together complete cleaning kits. Now there’s no excuse for having dirty gear.

I hope this helps you check off some shutterbugs from your holiday shopping list. In case I’m on that list, let me throw in one last item:

• The Ultimate Charger - $39.99: I won’t say much about this item except that I want it. I think DH can explain why.

Enjoy shopping!

Tags:air blower, bubble level, camera strap, CF, cleaning kit, Compact Flash, Flickr, gifts for photographers, La Crosse Technology BC-900 Alpha Battery Charger, lens pen, LowePro, memory cards, Memory Stick, microfiber cloth, MS, NiMH, photo sharing, rechargeable batteries, SD, Secure Digital, sensor swab, Transporter, Voyager C, Voyager S, XD

• Luis • 1 December 2007 •