Travel photography can be an incredibly rewarding hobby or profession. Capturing stunning images from around the world and sharing them with others is a fantastic creative outlet. However, without the right accessories, travel photographers will struggle to get the most out of their photographic journeys. The good news is that with a few key accessories, travel photography can be taken to the next level.
This article will explore seven must-have accessories that can significantly improve travel photography. For each item, we’ll look at the benefits it provides, what to look for when making a purchase, and example models to consider. With the addition of these tools, photographers will gain more control, improved image quality, and enhanced capabilities while on the road. Let’s get started!
Essential Accessories To Elevate Travel Photography
Tripod
A reliable tripod is arguably the most important accessory for travel photographers. Shooting handheld simply won’t provide the stability, precision or long exposure capability needed for spectacular landscape, night sky and low light images. When choosing a tripod, carbon fiber models are best for travel thanks to their strength and low weight. Look for a design that extends to around 5 feet (150cm) tall, but can collapse down small enough to fit in your luggage.
Key features to look for include a swiveling and adjustable head for optimum flexibility, bubble levels, and quick release plates for easily mounting your camera. Look for models that offer stability but are still relatively lightweight. The Manfrotto BeFree Carbon Fiber Tripod is a great option, providing excellent stability at just over 3 pounds. Meanwhile, the JOBY GorillaPod Focus is a more flexible alternative suited to uneven terrain. Every travel photographer needs a sturdy tripod like one of these.
Polarizing Filter
Another vital accessory for travel photography is a polarizing filter. This lens filter blocks specific light waves from entering your lens. The benefit? Dramatically increased saturation and contrast in images. Skies become bluer, greenery gets greener and colors overall are more intense. Reflections and glare are also minimized.
Circular polarizing filters that twist on the end of lenses are the most common and convenient to use. Look for versions with an adjustable dial so you can easily rotate the filter to find the ideal polarization angle for a given shot. To avoid vignetting, be sure to get the right diameter filter for your lens size. Polarizing filters from brands like Hoya and B+W offer outstanding quality without breaking the bank.
Neutral Density Filter
Neutral density (ND) filters reduce the amount of light coming through your lens. This allows you to achieve long shutter speeds, even in bright daylight. The result? Beautiful motion blur of things like waterfalls, clouds and waves. This opens up incredible creative possibilities.
There are a few types of ND filters. Graduated filters transition from dark to clear for balancing exposure between skies and landscapes. Fixed filters come in set densities, such as a 3-stop that cuts light by a factor of 8. Adjustable ND filters let you dial in precisely the amount of light reduction needed. Look for versions like the PolarPro Peter McKinnon Variable ND Filter that provide flexibility. High quality glass and coatings help ensure image sharpness.
Sandisk Extreme Pro SD Card
Today’s DSLR and mirrorless cameras capture enormous image files. Storage space fills up fast, especially when shooting RAW. That’s why travel photographers need a sizable, high-speed SD card. Look for read/write speeds of at least 90-95MB/s, along with at least 64GB of capacity. Many pro models offer 128GB or more.
The SanDisk Extreme PRO SDHC/SDXC cards deliver premium performance and reliability. With up to 2000 MB/s read speeds, you can take bursts of photos without lag or stuttering. A built-in write protect switch prevents accidental deletion. Check reviews and lifetime warranty coverage before purchasing SD cards. Buying two or more cards provides redundancy and storage flexibility while traveling.
Backup Hard Drive
It’s heartbreaking to lose your prized travel images to a damaged or corrupted memory card. That makes travel hard drives a must. Look for compact and rugged designs optimized for photographers. The device should provide ample storage space – at least 1TB is recommended. Solid state drives are fastest, but portable external hard disk drives work very well too.
The LaCie Rugged SSD Pro offers great performance and durability with 1TB capacity. For more affordable high capacity storage, the 4TB Seagate Backup Plus Portable fits the bill nicely. Use your backup drive to offload photos from SD cards and keep an extra copy safe. Some photographers use cloud backups as well for redundancy. Don’t let a hardware failure ruin your amazing travel shots.
LED Light Panel
Great lighting is crucial for photography. While traveling, it can be hard to always find ideal natural light for photos. That’s why a compact LED light panel can really boost travel shots. These units output a soft, diffused light from an array of LEDs inside a slim profile. They run on battery or USB power.
Look for a panel that provides adjustable color temperature and brightness. The LitraLite from Litra is a slim on-camera option, while larger panels like the FalconEyes RX-18TD offer more power. Consider units with built in stands, diffusion sheets and light modifiers too. Use continuous lighting to lift shadows, provide softer fills, and balance mixed lighting while shooting travel portraits and places. Having adjustable artificial light opens many possibilities.
Drones
Drones have revolutionized travel photography and videography in recent years. These aerial camera platforms allow capturing unique perspectives and footage that was once impossible. Thanks to advanced stabilization systems and automation, drones are easier to fly than ever before.
For travel, look for a compact, foldable drone that doesn’t take up too much room in your bag. The DJI Mavic Mini is a great option, offering 4K video and 12MP stills in a tiny package weighing just 249 grams. For higher end quality, the DJI Mavic Air 2 has a 1-inch sensor able to capture 48MP photos. Integrated safety features like collision detection make operation smooth.
Make sure to abide by local regulations when flying drones in different countries. It’s worth purchasing a set of ND filters to attach to the drone camera too, allowing longer exposures for smooth video footage even in daylight. A portable charging station helps keep your drone battery topped up while on the go. With stunning aerial perspectives, drones are a hugely valuable accessory for travel photographers. Just be sure to fly responsibly.
Conclusion
Equipping your camera bag with these six accessories will elevate travel photography and allow capturing fantastic images anywhere in the world. Sturdy tripods provide stabilization for crisp shots, even in low light. Polarizing filters add color punch and cut glare. Neutral density filters enable long exposures full of motion. Fast SD cards offer ample space to store huge photo files. Backup hard drives prevent heartbreak over corrupted media. Finally, portable LED light panels provide professional quality illumination when natural light isn’t ideal. With these must-have accessories in your kit, your travel photography will reach new heights!