Send us a text

Ever wondered what gear you need beyond your camera? 🤔 The answer isn't a new lens or a bigger flash; it's a few simple, affordable accessories that can make a huge difference. ✨ They protect your gear, make shooting easier, and help you get better photos. 📸 In this episode, your host Rick dives deep into ten must-have items that professional photographers can't live without, showing you how to get the most out of your camera without spending a fortune. 🤑 Simple but effective and important bits of kit, these are.

What we talk about

• An essential accessory is a problem solver, not a luxury. 🛠️
• The golden rule of buying gear is to use what you have, but these accessories are the exception. 🥇
• A small investment in these items offers massive returns in the quality of your work and your peace of mind. 📈

The 10 Essential Accessories

1: A Good Camera Bag 🎒 A camera bag is your gear's best friend. It's about protecting your valuable equipment from bumps and knocks, not about making a fashion statement. Look for a bag that is comfortable, durable, and specifically designed to hold camera bodies, lenses, and other accessories.

2: Lens Cleaning Solution, Disposable Cloths and Blower Brush 🧼 This is probably the cheapest, most useful, and most important thing you can buy for your camera. Use a blower brush to remove dust and a few drops of solution on a disposable cloth for a safe clean. Keeping your lens pristine is key to getting sharp, clear images.

3: An Extra Battery (or 3) 🔋 Never get caught out with a dead battery. Always have a spare, fully charged one ready to go. Consider third-party batteries from a reputable supplier as a more affordable alternative to the manufacturer's versions.

4: A Spare Memory Card (or two!) 💾 Memory cards are cheap insurance against missing the perfect shot. They're a non-negotiable part of your kit. Always have a spare ready and store them in a good quality case to keep them safe from damage.

5: A Small Tripod ⛰️ A small, lightweight tripod is perfect for getting tack-sharp photos in low light or for creating long-exposure effects. It's also great for self-portraits or for capturing group shots where you want to be in the picture.

6: A Polarising Filter 🕶️ Think of this as sunglasses for your camera. It reduces glare and reflections on water, glass, and leaves. It also makes colors, especially blue skies, look richer and more vibrant.

7: A Neutral Density Filter (ND Filter) ☀️ An ND filter is a piece of dark glass that reduces the amount of light hitting your camera's sensor. This allows you to use slower shutter speeds in bright conditions, creating cool effects like silky smooth water or blurred clouds.

8: A Remote Shutter Release 🔘 This small, simple tool eliminates camera shake when you're using a tripod. It's a must-have for long exposures and low-light shooting, ensuring your photos are as sharp as they can possibly be. A simple wired version is very affordable.

9: A Grey Card ⬜ A grey card is a simple but incredibly powerful tool for getting perfect custom white balance. Using it helps your camera understand t

Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer on my website Rick McEvoy Photography.com/courses

Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer at Rick McEvoy Photography.com

Support the show

Get your question answered
This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography.

Thanks very much for listening

Cheers from me Rick