Christmas Gifts For Photographers Just Starting Out

You would think that finding Christmas gifts for photographers who are beginning their journey with their camera would be relatively easy – but what if you’re not a photographer yourself? This week we’re going to give the non-photographer some great ideas for gifts that will progress the budding photographer’s art.

It’s true that any photography gift is likely to be well received, but, as with any hobby, you could find yourself buying presents that are little more than novelties without any real use – especially if you have no knowledge of the subject. However, if you stick to this list your enthusiastic new photographer will love you forever!

Photography books – “How to” books and inspirational picture books are the perfect Christmas gifts for photographers, but stick to the best ones like Understanding Exposure - Bryan Peterson and Mastering Digital SLR Photography - David Busch. Both of these explain the basics of exposure control and composition in easy to follow language.

Memory cards – Every photographer needs memory cards, but make sure they’re the correct ones for the camera! Choose medium capacity cards (16gb) rather than huge ones so there’s less chance of losing hundreds of photos if a card fails. Buy from reputable sites like www.mymemory.co.uk to ensure that they’re not fake.

Tripod – You don’t have to spend a fortune on a decent tripod but make sure that it’s sturdy, constructed of aluminium or steel, and has a strong ball head – especially if it’s for a DSLR.

Camera bag – Manfrotto, Think Tank and Lowepro all make brilliant bags that’ll last a lifetime. Choose the right type of bag for the camera your recipient owns: a massive shoulder bag is overkill for a point & shoot, for example, whereas a DSLR photographer will soon outgrow a small bag.

External hard drive – Backing up your photos is something every photographer needs to do, so a 1TB/2TB external hard drive is a thoughtful present that’ll be well received.

Lens cleaning kit – Keeping your DSLR mirror and lens glass in tiptop condition is essential for optimum performance, and a lens cleaning kit that contains a lens cleaning pen, rocket blower and micro-fibre cloths is ideal.

Stick to the essentials when buying Christmas gifts for photographers and the budding David Bailey in your life will soon be taking images that’ll blow you away! You never know, they might take some photos good enough to print to canvas and present to you as a gift next Christmas!