Good Gifts for Aspiring Photographers?

[onehaehyuk]

Hi all, I have a family member who recently decided to pursue photography as a career. Her birthday is coming up and I am looking for gift ideas for an aspiring photographer. Probably nothing more than $50-60 if possible. One idea I thought of is a good book with photography tips/lessons. Any photographers out there with any good ideas they could help me out with? Thanks in advance!

[inzite]

depends on what she doesn't have.

[greenmoon]

This book comes highly recommended: The Art of Photography by Bruce Barnbaum http://www.amazon.com/dp/1933952687/

[bosoxfanx1]

Hi all, I have a family member who recently decided to pursue photography as a career. Her birthday is coming up and I am looking for gift ideas for an aspiring photographer. Probably nothing more than $50-60 if possible. One idea I thought of is a good book with photography tips/lessons. Any photographers out there with any good ideas they could help me out with? Thanks in advance!

keep in mind that in this day and age, a lot of technical information (tutorials etc) can be found online for free, and are extremely practical.

if you want to go the book route, then best to find out the kind of photography they like (landscapes, people, sports, wildlife etc) and find a book that maybe inspires them into a specific area of photography. hobbist photographers would really enjoy that, since they would already have spent time learning photography

in your price range there are accessories available, but unless you know specifically their needs then it might not always be practical. so go with the suggestion I gave above

[hdom]

Good site to get ideas - http://photojojo.com/store/

If something caught you eyes, I would try to see if the item is avaiable else where for less, too.

[spicytofu]

Good site to get ideas - http://photojojo.com/store/

If something caught you eyes, I would try to see if the item is avaiable else where for less, too.

Neat site.

Camera bag, camera strap, with gift receipt would also be good.

[zero_2003]

Buy her a few really nice picture frames. It will force her to shoot some pictures to put in them.

[superock]

keep in mind that in this day and age, a lot of technical information (tutorials etc) can be found online for free, and are extremely practical.

if you want to go the book route, then best to find out the kind of photography they like (landscapes, people, sports, wildlife etc) and find a book that maybe inspires them into a specific area of photography. hobbist photographers would really enjoy that, since they would already have spent time learning photography

in your price range there are accessories available, but unless you know specifically their needs then it might not always be practical. so go with the suggestion I gave above

Buy her a few really nice picture frames. It will force her to shoot some pictures to put in them.

If someone were to get me photography related gifts, I would be pretty happy and excited to receive one of these

[troso]

A reflector, it costs less than $20.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/320447073511?...#ht_2587wt_952

[onehaehyuk]

Hi everyone, thanks for your responses, it's really helpful. Upon considering everything (including the budget) I am leaning towards getting a book (possibly greenmoon's the Art of Photography book suggestion) and I also really liked troso's suggestion of the camera light reflector. I don't think she has one of those and it seems like you can get some neat shots with it. Just a question, does the size of the reflector matter? I noticed the ebay link is selling a 43". My sister has a Canon Rebel XSI. Will this work for that camera?

Thanks!

[troso]

Hi everyone, thanks for your responses, it's really helpful. Upon considering everything (including the budget) I am leaning towards getting a book (possibly greenmoon's the Art of Photography book suggestion) and I also really liked troso's suggestion of the camera light reflector. I don't think she has one of those and it seems like you can get some neat shots with it. Just a question, does the size of the reflector matter? I noticed the ebay link is selling a 43". My sister has a Canon Rebel XSI. Will this work for that camera?

Thanks!

The reflector will work on any camera. Generally, the bigger the better but you're going to trade-off portability. I have the 43" and it's big enough. The other good thing is it's foldable, it's almost the size of a dinner plate when folded. There are many tutorials in youtube if your friend does not know how to use it. Here's a quick one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT2XTvuyQms

[demi2004]

Give a few instructional DVDs that teach how to become a better photographer in the field she is interested in. A book on that topic also works.
If she is smart, that gift will be the best thing ever for her career-hobby

[mk5gti]

vintage look camera strape

Camera T-shirt?

[xaltair]

I suggest you get her something useful, she'll love you for it. Either a memory card reader USB 3.0 from B&H that can be had for less than $40(http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Dual_Slot.html)
, or a monopod that again can be had for $50-$60(http://www.vistek.ca/store/254733/ma...e-monopod.aspx). Anything that she can actually use and not have to spend her money on to purchase. Or a set of flash diffusers which again can be had for less than $40 as well (http://photojojo.com/store/awesomene...flash-adapter/) just find out what flash she has so you can buy the correct one.

[giCe]

Bryan Peterson - Understanding Exposure
http://www.amazon.ca/Understanding-E.../dp/0817439390

a must read for anyone interested in photography