Inexpensive Pieces of Gear That Every Landscape Photographer Should Have

After we've bought all the important pieces of kit we need for landscape photography — a camera and tripod — there are other not so obvious things we pick up along the way when we realize we almost can't do without in certain situations. This video takes a look at some of the cheap and useful things that one of the world's best landscape photographers packs in his bag.

Landscape photographer and filmmaker, Michael Shainblum, has experienced a wide range of conditions while out photographing landscapes or capturing cityscape time-lapses. In doing so, sometimes he finds that certain pieces of gear either make his life a whole lot easier or become integral to getting the shot he wants. The one that stood out the most to me was the lens skirt. While I don't often find myself shooting through windows, there are a few times where I've regretted not having one — almost always atop a skyscraper with breathtaking views during sunset or twilight.

Something I keep in my bag, which Shainblum doesn't mention, is some type of multitool like this one, which is especially useful for fixing a loose or wobbly tripod. There's just something about a loosely swinging tripod leg that spawns an unnecessary yet very real rage inside me, so I'm never without it. If that doesn't fix my problem, I also pack a Leatherman-type multitool in my bag. The blade has come in handy a few times when I've had to jimmy something loose.

What pieces of cheap gear do you find useful? 

Mike O'Leary's picture

Mike is a landscape and commercial photographer from, Co. Kerry, Ireland. In his photographic work, Mike tries to avoid conveying his sense of existential dread, while at the same time writing about his sense of existential dread. The last time he was in New York he was mugged, and he insists on telling that to every person he meets.

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3 Comments

I've been meaning to make a "lens skirt" for years. Because I didn't know it was called a "lens skirt" and that I could just buy one!

Thanks for doing a video of things that are both inexpensive and useful. Seems like most camera stuff out there is either super expensive, pretty crappy, or both.

I never leave home without a microfiber cloth, LCD loupe, and knee pads.