My essential accessories for photography
Author : Elise Laine
Photography is not just about having a great camera: it’s also about having the right accessories that can enhance your creative vision and help you in your workflow. As a professional photographer, here are my essential photography accessories that I use daily in my photography workflow. From capturing unique perspectives to improving the quality of your images and speeding up your workflow, these accessories can make a significant difference in your photographic journey.
A CFexpress memory card
CFexpress memory cards represent the next level of performance and reliability in the world of memory card technology. With their lightning-fast speeds, large storage capacities, enhanced durability, future-proof technology, and professional-grade performance, CFexpress cards have gained immense popularity among all photographers and videographers. It has been been game changing for me especially since I started shooting videos and shooting the surf in burst mode. My SD cards were often lagging and crashing while shooting, and switching to CFexpress has been solving the problem thanks to their high read speed capabilities. It is also much more quicker to export the files after shooting thanks to their exceptional write speed capabilities. This high-speed performance is particularly beneficial for photographers and videographers who capture high resolution images, shoot in burst mode, or record 4k or even 8k footage video.
I personally use the Sony CFexpress type B memory card for my nikon Z6ii.
Caution : not all cameras have a memory card slot for CFexpress cards (as they are bigger than normal SD cards) so make sure your camera has a CFexpress memory card slot. If you end up buying a CFexpress memory card, make sure to also buy a CFexpress card reader. I personally use the one from San Disk that you can find here.
A Memory Card Holder case
Organization is key and this memory card holder case is absolutely essential to me. It can store up to 15 memory cards, from micro SD cards to SD cards, CFexpress and XQD cards. It is also water-resistant and anti-shock which will provide full protection to your memory cards and files if it ever falls down or if it rains.
I personally use the SmallRig Memory Card Holder Case 15 slots.
A SSD
Solid State Drives (SSDs) have outpaced traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) in terms of speed, performance, reliability, durability, energy efficiency, and form factor. SSDs are renowned for their remarkable speed and performance. Whether you’re loading large multimedia files, editing videos, or running resource-intensive applications, SSDs provide a noticeable performance boost, enhancing productivity and user experience.
Traditional HDDs are also susceptible to mechanical failures due to their intricate mechanical components. SSDs, on the other hand, have no moving parts, making them less prone to damage from shock, vibrations, or accidental drops. This inherent resilience makes SSDs more reliable, reducing the risk of data loss and minimizing the need for frequent backups.
Whether you’re seeking improved productivity, faster load times, enhanced data security, or a quieter computing experience, SSDs offer a superior alternative to HDDs. With their remarkable performance and longevity, SSDs have become the go-to choice for storage.
SSDs can launch operating systems and applications significantly faster than HDDs, leading to quicker start-up and reduced waiting times. This is especially important if you edit your photos and videos directly from your external drive. if your files are stored on a HDD, your work flow will be slowed down. Working with a SSD allows you to work significantly faster as it offers faster file access. This enables seamless multitasking and smoother operation even with data-heavy tasks, like editing thousands of photos or 4k videos.
I personally use the San Disk 2TB SSD.
A CPL polarizer filter
A polarizer filter is an indispensable tool for photographers seeking to enhance their images. From reducing reflections (which is absolutely essential for ma as a surf photographer to reduce reflection on the water) and increasing color saturation to darkening skies and enhancing details, the advantages of using a polarizer filter are numerous. By investing in a high-quality polarizer filter that matches your lens diameter, you can take your photography to the next level, capturing stunning, vibrant, and visually captivating images. If you are only shooting indoors/in a studio, I do not think a polarizer filter is necessary but this a great tool if you are shooting outdoors.
I personally use the Promaster CPL Prime filter.
A reflector
Reflectors provide photographers with a flexible and affordable way to manipulate light, control shadows, and enhance the quality of their images. By positioning a reflector, you can bounce natural or artificial light onto your subject, filling in shadows and reducing contrast. This helps to create a more balanced and evenly lit scene. Reflectors can also soften harsh lighting conditions, such as direct sunlight or strong studio lights. By bouncing the light onto your subject through a reflector, you can diffuse and scatter the light, resulting in a softer, more flattering illumination. Reflectors come in various shapes, sizes and colors, providing versatility in light manipulation. White reflectors produce neutral and soft light, silver reflectors offer a more intense and specular reflection, gold reflector add warmth, and translucent reflectors can be used as diffusers.
I personally use the NEEWER Light Reflector Light Diffuser 5 in 1.
A Pelican case
Pelican cases are a great way to store and travel with all your camera equipment. I prefer a hard case over a camera backpack as a case is dust proof and anti-shock. It is also watertight and crush-proof, which provides full protection to all camera gear. It has wheels and an extended handle, making it easy to carry around. The dividers inside are adjustable in order to customise the case to fit any needs.
I personally use the Pelican air 1535 with padded dividers, which is perfect to travel with and bring as a carry-on in the plane.
A camera cleaning kit
There is always a camera cleaning kit in my pelican case. The cleaning kit combines all the necessary tools to keep your camera, lens, and sensor free from dust, dirt, and smudges. Making sure your camera and sensor is always perfectly clean will definitely enhance the quality of your photography.
Investing in the right photography accessories can greatly enhance your creative capabilities and the quality of your images. Remember to choose accessories that are compatible with your camera system, durable, and suited to your shooting style. With the right tools in your arsenal, you’ll be well-equipped to capture breathtaking moments and elevate your photography and your workflow to new heights.