047 - 10 Last-Minute Gifts for Travel and Adventure Photographers
It's just a few days until Christmas! Yay! But that can mean some last-minute gift buying for that traveller or adventurer in your life who loves to take photographs. Well, today's podcast episode should take some of the stress off you by giving you ten last-second gifts for the photographer in your life (or for yourself!) Now, too often, I find that these gift-guide episodes are all focused on driving you onto Amazon to buy something from an affiliate link on a website, and honestly, I kind of hate that. This gift guide was put together with the thought that you should be able to go to your local camera or outdoor store and pick up one of these items (or order it online from them for curbside pickup). That way, you support a local business that is likely struggling heavily during this pandemic holiday season.
Gift #1: PeakDesign Capture Camera Clip
This is easily my most used camera accessory. It allows me to carry my camera on my backpack or my belt. Getting the camera out of my bag and making it easy to snap a picture while on a hike or exploring the city. The clip is used with an ARCA style plate, meaning it can quickly transfer between the clip and onto a tripod. The clip plus plate costs $90 Canadian.
Gift #2: Mini RGB LED Light
Mini LED lights are fantastic for travelling content creators, as they are light enough to carry anywhere but are powerful enough to light up a scene. LEDs are a constant illumination light source, meaning they are perfect for video or photo, and they run cool, which means you can use the handheld. There are a lot on the market, but my favourite comes from Aputure. The MC features full control of hue, saturation and intensity and can produce any colour. It's also only 17mm thick, meaning you can carry it anywhere. Any photographer or video creator would be thrilled to have this light in their arsenal.
Gift #3: Lens Wrap
When you need to protect your camera or lens but can't bring a full-sized padded camera bag, the lens wrap is there. These simple padded fabric squares can be wrapped around your gear to protect it, which effectively turns any bag into a camera bag. These are perfect for travellers and backpackers who need to fit equipment into a tight pack, don't have room for a camera insert, and where weight savings are at a premium.
Gift #4: Alpine Labs Pulse
This tiny, Bluetooth camera remote connects to your phone and allows you to take amazing photos without touching or being near your camera. Create time-lapses, HDRs, or just a single image, control your camera's settings, and see a preview of the photos it takes on your phone. This means you can set up your camera and duck back inside while still creating memorable images. Or use it to capture spectacular self-portraits. The uses are endless.
Gift #5: GNARBOX 2.0
GNARBOX is a rugged, water-resistant, portable backup device that allows travellers to back up their SD cards while in the field. No more needing to lug around a computer, as GNARBOX lets you backup memory cards while you are travelling and then sort and edit those images directly on your phone for quick uploading to social media, websites and other online services. The GNARBOX can work with Apple or Android devices and supports RAW, TIFF, JPG, or PNGs. Meaning it is great for any level of photographer. Plus, it acts as an extra security blanket for images in a tough case giving photographers extra piece of mind. This is the most expensive item on our list by far as it starts at $650 USD. But it makes a beautiful gift for travellers.
#6: Compact Micro-fibre Towel
Lightweight, compact towels make an excellent gift for every photographer. They can be used to dry off camera gear or the photographer, to sit down on our set gear out on, or as an extra reflective surface to bounce light off of. I take one on every backpacking trip and every flight I take, and more than once, I have been very thankful to have my towel rather than using one provided by a hostel. Plus, they weigh almost nothing and can be taken nearly everywhere. No specific product suggestion here. Just head to your local outdoor store to find the right one. They range in price, but you can typically find a good one for about $25 Canadian.
Gift #7: Hydrapak Watter Bottle
These water bottles are super lightweight and flexible and collapse nearly flat when empty, making them perfect for travelling as they take up almost no room in a bag. Most versions weigh only around 70 grams, and they can take hot or cold beverages. They are the perfect travel campaign as you can take them everywhere and pick up a drink when you need it. Hydrapax water bottles cost on average $30 Canadian.
Gift #8: UV Light Purifier
To go along with the water bottle, get your traveller-photographer a UV Light Purifier. These ultra-compact, lightweight UV lights go directly into your water bottle and purify the water to ensure it is safe for consumption. They can sterilize water globally, meaning they can be used from the Rockies to Mongolia and everywhere in between. My wife used one of these pens to sterilize her water for eight months while she lived in rural Zambia and never once had a stomach problem. They come in a variety of sizes and styles and will cost you $80 Canadian and up.
Gift #9: Compression Dry Sack
We've talked about these before on the podcast (they are one of my favourite things to have with me.) Dry sacks come in sizes from 5L to 90L and can be used to keep gear, clothing, or anything else dry in any situation, even if they get dunked in the water. The compression factor is incredible, as it allows you to compress down whatever soft item is in the bag to a more manageable size (this is great for sleeping bags, down jackets, and anything else with a lot of loft that takes up a lot of extra space. My favourites come from Sea to Summit, but there are many other companies out there that make these compression dry sacks.
Gift #10: Wilderness Wash
A concentrated soap that is biodegradable, phosphate-free and fragrance-free. It works for washing hands, clothing or dishes and will break down naturally in the outdoors. This is precisely what every outdoor-loving photographer would love to have in their bag to help keep the world they live healthy and happy. Many companies make a version of this, but my favourite also comes from Sea to Summit and will cost you about $10 Canadian for 8.5 ounces.
And that's my list of 10 last-minute gifts for the travel and adventure photographers in your life. Check out the show notes on travelandadventurephotographyschool.com to learn more about these products and, if you can, head to your local camera store or outdoor store to find these perfect last-minute gifts. Thanks so much for tuning in. I hope you can find a way to enjoy this holiday season.
Happy Holidays everyone! Bye for now.