Voted Travelers' Choice 2023
Resources For Photographers
About Our Company
JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP - THE BCJ TRIBE
Top 10 Photography Accessories for Every Outing
by Keenan Hursh
It’s likely happened to all of us at one point or another. You get out into the field, find a great shot location and a pleasing composition, go to get your camera ready, and realize you’ve forgotten something. Perhaps you’ve forgotten your tripod and have to now shoot handheld or maybe it was something less significant like a specific filter. Regardless of what it was, you now have to modify your plan of action and can no longer capture that ideal shot you had in your head.
This is the absolute worst. You put all this time and effort into getting to the right place at the right time, but you aren’t prepared to take full advantage of the opportunity before you. I’ve been here before and having made this mistake plenty of times I’ve decided to come up with a list of accessories that you should have with you every time you leave your front door with your camera.
Having a camera body and a couple of lenses is a great starting point but what else should you have in your camera bag? What are some of the most important and critical accessories that every photographer should have with them no matter what? In today’s article, we’re going to answer just that. Here are the top 10 photography accessories for every outing.
This is the absolute worst. You put all this time and effort into getting to the right place at the right time, but you aren’t prepared to take full advantage of the opportunity before you. I’ve been here before and having made this mistake plenty of times I’ve decided to come up with a list of accessories that you should have with you every time you leave your front door with your camera.
Having a camera body and a couple of lenses is a great starting point but what else should you have in your camera bag? What are some of the most important and critical accessories that every photographer should have with them no matter what? In today’s article, we’re going to answer just that. Here are the top 10 photography accessories for every outing.
Tripod
A tripod is arguably the most important accessory you can bring with you. I’ve heard many experienced photographers say that using a tripod is probably the fastest and easiest way to improve one’s photography. Not only will a tripod allow you to achieve longer shutter speeds by holding your camera perfectly still, but it will also allow you to perfectly control the placement and position of your camera giving you infinite control and flexibility over your composition.
If you want to shoot in low light conditions and don’t want a super high ISO and therefore tons of noise in your image, use a tripod. If you want to get your camera low to the ground and keep it perfectly still without breaking your back, use a tripod. I really can’t understate just how important this accessory is. Every now and then I don’t bring one if I’m traveling long distances on foot but apart from that, I always bring a tripod with me. If you want to learn more about tripods, then be sure to check out this article!
And, if you're ready to purchase your next tripod but aren't sure where to start, you'll definitely want to check out the following guides:
10 Best Travel Tripods for Photographers
10 Best Budget Tripods for Photographers
The Best Professional Tripods for Photographers
A tripod is arguably the most important accessory you can bring with you. I’ve heard many experienced photographers say that using a tripod is probably the fastest and easiest way to improve one’s photography. Not only will a tripod allow you to achieve longer shutter speeds by holding your camera perfectly still, but it will also allow you to perfectly control the placement and position of your camera giving you infinite control and flexibility over your composition.
If you want to shoot in low light conditions and don’t want a super high ISO and therefore tons of noise in your image, use a tripod. If you want to get your camera low to the ground and keep it perfectly still without breaking your back, use a tripod. I really can’t understate just how important this accessory is. Every now and then I don’t bring one if I’m traveling long distances on foot but apart from that, I always bring a tripod with me. If you want to learn more about tripods, then be sure to check out this article!
And, if you're ready to purchase your next tripod but aren't sure where to start, you'll definitely want to check out the following guides:
10 Best Travel Tripods for Photographers
10 Best Budget Tripods for Photographers
The Best Professional Tripods for Photographers
Camera Bag and Rain Cover
A camera bag is another must-have accessory for any photographer. A normal backpack simply won’t cut it in most cases as you might risk damaging your gear. You’ll need a way to carry all these critically important accessories as well as keep your gear protected from the elements. A camera bag protects your camera, lenses, and accessories from dust, scratches, moisture, and other environmental hazards. It also keeps all your gear organized and easily accessible.
Look for a bag with padded compartments, and that’s either made with waterproof material or has a rain cover. I would also recommend that you spend some time doing some research to figure out what type of bag is suitable for your specific gear and needs. Getting a quality camera bag is an excellent way to set yourself up for success.
A camera bag is another must-have accessory for any photographer. A normal backpack simply won’t cut it in most cases as you might risk damaging your gear. You’ll need a way to carry all these critically important accessories as well as keep your gear protected from the elements. A camera bag protects your camera, lenses, and accessories from dust, scratches, moisture, and other environmental hazards. It also keeps all your gear organized and easily accessible.
Look for a bag with padded compartments, and that’s either made with waterproof material or has a rain cover. I would also recommend that you spend some time doing some research to figure out what type of bag is suitable for your specific gear and needs. Getting a quality camera bag is an excellent way to set yourself up for success.
L-Bracket
An L-bracket is by far one of the most underrated accessories out there. This is something I didn’t even know about for the longest time and even when I discovered what it was, I thought I didn’t need one. Boy was I wrong.
An L-bracket is a device that connects to the bottom of your camera in lieu of a tripod plate. What’s so great about this accessory is that it bends around from the bottom of your camera to the side in the shape of an L. This provides you with an Arca-Swiss plate that runs the entire length of both the base of your camera and the side. You no longer have to fiddle with your tripod ball head and legs to switch from landscape to portrait framing. You simply pop your camera off and then reattach it and you’ve rotated a perfect 90 degrees effortlessly. An L-bracket may not sound like much of a game changer but once you’ve used one it’s hard to go back. Check out this article to learn more about L-brackets!
An L-bracket is by far one of the most underrated accessories out there. This is something I didn’t even know about for the longest time and even when I discovered what it was, I thought I didn’t need one. Boy was I wrong.
An L-bracket is a device that connects to the bottom of your camera in lieu of a tripod plate. What’s so great about this accessory is that it bends around from the bottom of your camera to the side in the shape of an L. This provides you with an Arca-Swiss plate that runs the entire length of both the base of your camera and the side. You no longer have to fiddle with your tripod ball head and legs to switch from landscape to portrait framing. You simply pop your camera off and then reattach it and you’ve rotated a perfect 90 degrees effortlessly. An L-bracket may not sound like much of a game changer but once you’ve used one it’s hard to go back. Check out this article to learn more about L-brackets!
Lens Filters and Hoods
So, you’ve invested some money into a nice piece of glass that works great. Why not extend the ways you can use your lens and increase the possibilities? I never go anywhere without lens hoods and filters. A lens hood is an accessory that attaches to the front of your camera lens and blocks stray light from entering the lens. You most likely got one when you purchased your lens as long as it is compatible. Lens hoods help to block sunlight from entering your lens which would potentially cause lens flares or other unwanted light artifacts.
Some other accessories that I use all the time are lens filters. These are a great way to alter the look and feel of an image as you are ultimately changing the way light enters your lens. I always bring a UV filter, a polarizing filter, and a neutral density filter with me whenever I go out. A UV filter won’t change the way your image looks but these are a great line of protection for the front element of your lens. I’d rather have a $75 filter crack than the front element of my expensive lens. A polarizing filter is a great way to reduce reflections, glare, and other harsh elements of sunlight. If you’re shooting a scene with water, or foliage that’s reflecting tons of light towards you, a polarizing filter is an excellent way to counteract this. And finally, a neutral density filter allows you to darken your scene and reduce the light entering your lens. If you want to shoot at longer shutter speeds in broad daylight, this is how you’ll achieve that. Check out this article to learn more about the different types of lens filters!
So, you’ve invested some money into a nice piece of glass that works great. Why not extend the ways you can use your lens and increase the possibilities? I never go anywhere without lens hoods and filters. A lens hood is an accessory that attaches to the front of your camera lens and blocks stray light from entering the lens. You most likely got one when you purchased your lens as long as it is compatible. Lens hoods help to block sunlight from entering your lens which would potentially cause lens flares or other unwanted light artifacts.
Some other accessories that I use all the time are lens filters. These are a great way to alter the look and feel of an image as you are ultimately changing the way light enters your lens. I always bring a UV filter, a polarizing filter, and a neutral density filter with me whenever I go out. A UV filter won’t change the way your image looks but these are a great line of protection for the front element of your lens. I’d rather have a $75 filter crack than the front element of my expensive lens. A polarizing filter is a great way to reduce reflections, glare, and other harsh elements of sunlight. If you’re shooting a scene with water, or foliage that’s reflecting tons of light towards you, a polarizing filter is an excellent way to counteract this. And finally, a neutral density filter allows you to darken your scene and reduce the light entering your lens. If you want to shoot at longer shutter speeds in broad daylight, this is how you’ll achieve that. Check out this article to learn more about the different types of lens filters!
Extra Batteries
This one may come as no surprise but having extra batteries or perhaps a battery grip is never a bad idea. I always bring at least two fully charged batteries with me whenever I shoot and if I’m in the backcountry for multiple days without a power source, I’ll bring even more. It’s worth noting that modern mirrorless cameras eat up battery faster than traditional DSLRs. Don’t get caught in a perfect situation with a dead battery and invest in extras early on.
This one may come as no surprise but having extra batteries or perhaps a battery grip is never a bad idea. I always bring at least two fully charged batteries with me whenever I shoot and if I’m in the backcountry for multiple days without a power source, I’ll bring even more. It’s worth noting that modern mirrorless cameras eat up battery faster than traditional DSLRs. Don’t get caught in a perfect situation with a dead battery and invest in extras early on.
Extra Memory
In addition to running out of battery life, you can also run out of memory or storage. This is especially true if you’re shooting in RAW, which I almost always do, or if you’re using s smaller memory card. I almost always try to use something over 128 gigabytes but bring several backups wherever I go. Memory cards are essential for storing your images. Always carry extra memory cards with you, as you never know when you will need them. It’s also a great idea to Invest in high-quality cards with fast read and write speeds to ensure that you can capture images and upload them quickly and efficiently. I have a small hard case that I keep all of my cards in.
In addition to running out of battery life, you can also run out of memory or storage. This is especially true if you’re shooting in RAW, which I almost always do, or if you’re using s smaller memory card. I almost always try to use something over 128 gigabytes but bring several backups wherever I go. Memory cards are essential for storing your images. Always carry extra memory cards with you, as you never know when you will need them. It’s also a great idea to Invest in high-quality cards with fast read and write speeds to ensure that you can capture images and upload them quickly and efficiently. I have a small hard case that I keep all of my cards in.
Cleaning Kit
A cleaning kit is an essential accessory for keeping your camera and lenses clean as dust, smudges, water droplets, and fingerprints can all degrade the quality of your images. It’s something we might not always think about but small particles in the air can easily sneak into the nooks and crannies of your equipment. This is especially true when you’re changing lenses outdoors. A cleaning kit typically includes a blower, microfiber cloth, lens cleaning solution, and lens cleaning tissues. I make it a habit to go through and clean my camera and lenses before and after every shoot. I frequently use my blower to clean my sensor and the back element of my lens and I am constantly using a brush and microfiber cloth to keep my filters and the front element of my lens clean as well. You often won’t notice tiny smudges or particles when you’re out in the field but you will definitely notice these when you pull your images up on a computer.
A cleaning kit is an essential accessory for keeping your camera and lenses clean as dust, smudges, water droplets, and fingerprints can all degrade the quality of your images. It’s something we might not always think about but small particles in the air can easily sneak into the nooks and crannies of your equipment. This is especially true when you’re changing lenses outdoors. A cleaning kit typically includes a blower, microfiber cloth, lens cleaning solution, and lens cleaning tissues. I make it a habit to go through and clean my camera and lenses before and after every shoot. I frequently use my blower to clean my sensor and the back element of my lens and I am constantly using a brush and microfiber cloth to keep my filters and the front element of my lens clean as well. You often won’t notice tiny smudges or particles when you’re out in the field but you will definitely notice these when you pull your images up on a computer.
Remote Shutter Release
A remote shutter release is another great accessory to always have with you. This device allows you to click your shutter and capture an image without touching your camera, therefore, preventing any unwanted shaking or motion. You can always use a 2-second delay but even this can introduce some lingering shakiness to your image. A remote shutter is a great way to prevent this from happening and to capture razor-sharp images.
A remote shutter release is another great accessory to always have with you. This device allows you to click your shutter and capture an image without touching your camera, therefore, preventing any unwanted shaking or motion. You can always use a 2-second delay but even this can introduce some lingering shakiness to your image. A remote shutter is a great way to prevent this from happening and to capture razor-sharp images.
Extra Clothing
This one isn’t necessarily photography specific, but any time you go outside into the elements you can’t control the weather or environmental conditions. It’s always a great idea to bring extra clothing and layers with you wherever you go no matter the forecast. I always make sure I have an extra warm layer and a waterproof jacket as well. If it’s cold out, make sure to bring some extra socks, a warm hat, and some gloves as well. Fingerless gloves are great for photography! Bottom line, be prepared and take the time to pack some extra clothing. You’ll be happy if you end up needing it.
This one isn’t necessarily photography specific, but any time you go outside into the elements you can’t control the weather or environmental conditions. It’s always a great idea to bring extra clothing and layers with you wherever you go no matter the forecast. I always make sure I have an extra warm layer and a waterproof jacket as well. If it’s cold out, make sure to bring some extra socks, a warm hat, and some gloves as well. Fingerless gloves are great for photography! Bottom line, be prepared and take the time to pack some extra clothing. You’ll be happy if you end up needing it.
Snacks and Water
And, to continue that thought process, you should always bring food and water. You never know what can happen when shooting outdoors. Having essentials like food and water can not only make your experience more comfortable and enjoyable but can also save you if something goes south. I always bring some high-protein snacks like power bars or granola bars and extra water whenever I go out. This is especially important if you’ll be in the backcountry far away from other people and resources.
Well, there you have it. In my opinion, these are the 10 most important photography accessories you should have with you on every shoot, no matter the subject or conditions. If you bring these accessories with you every time you go out, you won’t be disappointed, and you’ll increase your chances of coming back with some exceptional images. Hopefully, this article was informative and helpful and will help you better prepare for your next photography mission.
And, to continue that thought process, you should always bring food and water. You never know what can happen when shooting outdoors. Having essentials like food and water can not only make your experience more comfortable and enjoyable but can also save you if something goes south. I always bring some high-protein snacks like power bars or granola bars and extra water whenever I go out. This is especially important if you’ll be in the backcountry far away from other people and resources.
Well, there you have it. In my opinion, these are the 10 most important photography accessories you should have with you on every shoot, no matter the subject or conditions. If you bring these accessories with you every time you go out, you won’t be disappointed, and you’ll increase your chances of coming back with some exceptional images. Hopefully, this article was informative and helpful and will help you better prepare for your next photography mission.
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
AUTHOR
Keenan Hursh is a Photographer, visual designer, and creative story teller based out of Bozeman, Montana. He draws inspiration from his frequent excursions into the natural world and always brings his camera along to capture whatever adventures he finds himself in. Keenan is passionate about documenting and sharing fleeting moments from the natural world and focuses primarily on wildlife, landscape, and adventure photography.
When it comes to gear, he primarily shoots digital with his Canon EOS R5 and EOS 6D mark ii but also has several 35mm film cameras that get out every now and then.
At a very young age, Keenan started bringing a camera along on his excursions and immediately fell in love with the art of photography. He started out with his parent’s cheap point and shoot and has continuously improved his craft and gear refining his shooting style and producing more compelling and intriguing images.
Growing up in the foothills of Boulder, Colorado, surrounded by mountains and wilderness, Keenan has developed a deep passion for many outdoor activities. When he’s not out on a shoot or using his camera, Keenan enjoys skiing, climbing, hiking, backpacking, cycling, whitewater rafting, and paragliding. If he’s outside, away from the distractions of society and civilization, he’s in his happy place.
Keenan studied Emergent Digital Practices at the University of Denver while minoring in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Since earning his degree in 2019 he was worked with a wide range of clients, companies, and organizations throughout his career. Apart from photography he specializes in content creation, writing, brand development, and graphic design.
You can view Keenan’s portfolio on his website at www.keenanhurshmedia.com
SEARCH THE BLOG
clear
Join our free photo-travel community group on Facebook. A great place to swap stories & share images with fellow photographers!
Live events & webinars from the comfort of your own home. Free webinars on a variety of photography related topics – from photo editing to composition & more.
Check out the BCJ Trip Calendar for all of our upcoming Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris!
FEATURED TRIP:
Brown Bears of Alaska: Beyond Brooks
Immerse yourself in the Alaskan wilderness and capture stunning images of Brown Bears!
Brown Bears of Alaska: Beyond Brooks
Immerse yourself in the Alaskan wilderness and capture stunning images of Brown Bears!
UPCOMING TRIPS WITH AVAILABILITY
[Block//Web Spots Left]
Price: [Block//Current Price]
Dates: [Block//Start Date %n/j/Y%+0] to [Block//End Date %n/j/Y%+0]
READ OUR NEWSLETTER FOR NEW TRIPS, ARTICLES, & PROMOS
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLCs - Copyright 2024
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2024
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.