As night photographers, we sometimes have different needs than a lot of everyday photographers out there. I thought I’d make a gift guide that has us night photographers squarely in mind.
Under $25
Powerpax Slimline AAA Battery Storage Caddy
These types of caddies protect batteries nicely, with the batteries never falling out of the bag. I like that both ends of the battery are protected. This keeps your terminals from touching—something that TSA agents will love.
It also keeps you organized, enabling you to find your batteries easily in the dark. And as a night photographer, I also appreciate that it’s orange, making it easier to see in the dark. I prefer using bright colors for organizational items for this very reason.
Aream Digital Timer Remote Shutter Release Trigger Intervalometer
Participants in my night photography workshops know how much I love this intervalometer. Yes, this is a wired intervalometer. However, unlike most wired intervalometers, it features detachable cables. As anyone who has used wired intervalometers knows, the connectors on the cables are typically what fail, not the device itself. When they fail, you can simply swap out the cable and keep shooting.
Even better, these Aream intervalometers can be used with Nikon, Canon (and Pentax, since they use the Canon sub-mini connector), and Sony simply by switching the cable. Maximum flexibility, and considerably longer lasting than intervalometers whose cables are permanently attached.
Allstar ALL14147 Fluorescent Orange 2″ x 45′ Gaffer’s Tape
Here’s one that every night photographer could use—gaffer’s tape. Yeah. Gaffer’s tape. This all-purpose tape is used by gaffers in film and TV production. The gaffer is the chief lighting technician and is typically the head electrician. They need tape that is strong but doesn’t leave a residue. That’s where we photographers come in.
We can use this for all sorts of purposes, so it’s always great to have gaffer’s tape in your bag. Break something? Tape it together. If you break part of your tripod, such as the ball head, you can tape your camera to the tripod. Need to keep something in place, such as a prop or piece of equipment? Break an intervalometer? Tape a pebble to the shutter button. Hang up some dark garbage bags to keep the sun from streaming in the window while you sleep until noon? Gaffer’s tape to the rescue.
Read more about the wondrous uses of gaffer's tape, and why it should be an essential part of your night photography gear.
Under $50
Night Photography and Light Painting: Finding Your Way in the Dark, 2nd Edition
This is an amazing “how-to” book on night photography, with plenty of easy-to-follow instructions and creative suggestions in many different genres of night photography.
There are numerous aspects of this book that I love. Not only does it cover many different kinds of night photography—underneath a full moon, light painting, Milky Way, light drawing, and more—but the author also introduces numerous luminaries in the field to explain what they do and why they do it. It makes for fascinating reading, even if you’re not immediately interested in trying that particular genre or approach.
Written by one of the true masters of night photography, Lance Keimig, the book covers many techniques and showcases gorgeous examples. It’s an inspiring book that you’ll want to read again and again.
Under $100
Oben CTT-1000 Carbon Fiber Tabletop Tripod
The Oben CTT-1000 is one of those tripods that feels like someone simply shrank a quality tripod. It has all the same features. It’s just that it’s small. The Oben impressed me with its build and stability. It won this large tripod user over after employing the multiple exposure test with a macro lens. I would definitely recommend this for any application requiring a small desktop tripod.
Under $500
Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 ED AS IF NCS UMC Fisheye Lens
For years, I was fascinated with the idea of using a fisheye for night photography. I was concerned that I would use the Rokinon fisheye a few times, and it would become a gimmick. However, I found so many creative uses for it that I can’t help but love it.
There have been times when I’ve been in a creative funk. I am human. If I’m not feeling particularly creative, tired, out of the flow, concerned about something, or ground down by the incessantly negative news cycle, I reach for this lens. Times like that are perfect for sticking the fisheye on my camera for instant weirdness and creativity. And even when I’m feeling creative, this is such a great go-to lens for bending reality.
It’s solidly made and always tack-sharp. My link is for Nikon F-Mount, although there are numerous other mounts as well.
Under $1,000
IRIX 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone Lens
This lens is an amazing bargain for night photographers and makes Milky Way photography about as easy as possible. Why? It has a detent for true infinity. And if that’s not enough, it also has a focus lock. The IRIX has a nice, wide aperture of f/2.4—more than enough to let in all that starlight. It’s a manual-focus lens that is ruggedly built, accepts screw-on filters and gel filters, includes a focus-lock mechanism, offers extensive weather-sealing, and is rectilinear. I use this for most of my Milky Way photos. My link is for Nikon F-Mount, although there are numerous other mounts as well.
Above $1000
Night Photography Tours - Night Photography Workshops and Adventures in the American Southwest and Cape Cod Regions
Prices vary; available via Night Photography Tours/Cape Nights Photography
Tim Little specializes in night photography workshops and private night tours of Cape Cod and the American Southwest. He has led over 150 night experiences and has conducted workshops with light-painting and night-photography master Troy Paiva. I’m also a guest speaker at these events.
Many attendees are repeat participants—some of them many times. Tim writes, “Make some new friends or see some old ones! Like-minded, fun people sharing these experiences in great locations make for good memories and an artistic diversion from crazy times. Be part of it!”
Photography teachers don’t get any better, more knowledgeable, or kinder than Tim.
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