Accessorize!

No, this is not a call for all rookie photographers to wear the latest styles from the fashion runways in Milan …

Although I do have a snazzy leather cover for my Sony camera, gifted to me by my friend Dyami Plotke from the Penultimate Woodshop blog.

This is going to be a post about some of the more essential accessories you are going to want for your camera to make it even more useful. A smart outlay on a few crucial items will make your photography experience a much more pleasant one.

Tripod. You can shoot images without a tripod. Many photographers will never even touch one while they shoot. But, if you want to catch sharp images or you have time to set up for a shot, this is one crucial tool to have at your disposal.

No matter how still you may believe you are holding your camera, you are still breathing, your heart is still pumping, and everyone has just the slightest shake in their hands. By mounting your camera on a tripod, you eliminate that from your images.

I have bought several small, lightweight (cheap) tripods through the years, and believe me, they are a waste of money. I am now saving my pennies to get a professional quality model with a ball head, which allows you to adjust the camera to be level with your horizon line, regardless of how uneven the ground. Sure, they cost more than the cheap models, but as the old expression goes; Buy quality, cry once. Buy cheap, cry every time you use it.

Most cameras have a built in ¼ inch bolt hole that the tripod plate mounts into. No cell phones come with that. If you want that feature, do yourself a favor. Go to a dollar store and look for a selfie stick. Yes, the craze has ended, so you can find most of them being blown out at those locations. Specifically, seek out a model with a head that screws onto the stick. Once you unscrew that head, you will be surprised to find it will attach to your tripod, allowing you to mount your cell phone. 

An extra battery. Gone are the days when cameras used disposable AA or AAA batteries. Now, they use rechargeable models. They power everything on your camera, so it’s a wise idea to have a fully-charged spare ready to go before taking off on a long day of shooting. Don’t buy the cheapest cut-rate cells, either. Many of those don’t have the capacity to last more than a few short hours. Quality pays here. Rotate between the two batteries and keep them both fully charged so they get roughly the same amount of use. You will extend their life that way. And, when you are shopping around, if you look for a deal that combines a separate plug-in wall charger, you can save a ton of time by swapping batteries, having one getting juiced up while the other one is in the camera. 

Extra storage cards. Since digital photos are data files, they need to be stored somewhere. That data is squirreled away on something known as an SD card inserted into your camera. Large capacity cards can hold a lot of data, but it’s not a terrible idea to have a few spare cards on hand. This way, you can swap cards during your shoots and – in case the worst happens – save some of your photos should one of your cards fail. It has been known to happen.

There are also adapters that will allow you to plug your SD card into your computer at the end of a long day and download your photos for safe keeping. If your computer doesn't have one built in, pick up a card reader and tuck it in your bag. 

A camera sling. Most cameras come with a strap that you attach to the sides of the body and hang around your neck. They do an OK job of holding onto your camera, but, let’s be honest. If you are taking a walking tour of a city like New York, Boston or Chicago and shooting architecture, you are going to have a serious neck ache. Slings allow you to carry your camera across your body and have a connector that allows you to slide the camera up to view when you need it. An added bonus … if you are grabbing an amazing slice of pizza in Little Italy, the sling will keep the camera out of the way of the inevitable drips. Speaking of which…

Lens cleaner and a cloth. Anyone who wears glasses – of any kind – knows just how quickly lenses get dirty. The same goes for your camera. A quick spritz of lens cleaner and a wipe with a microfiber cloth will do wonders in helping you capture crisp, clean looking photographs.

Armed with these few accessories, you are better equipped to tackle your new hobby!