There is a lot of photography accessories on the market today - some are very useful, but most of them are a waste of money. Here are five of the most important accessories for landscape photography Tripod: A tripod is important for one main reason, keeping your images sharp. You�ll want to select a small aperture to maximise depth-of-field, so you should be using a shutter speed of less than 1/60 second. It�s impossible to get a sharp image holding your camera in your hand at these slow speeds. When choosing a tripod pick one made out of carbon fibres, these are light to carry but are sturdy in the ground. Choose a tripod that the legs will spread out far, this will help to optimise the strength of your support. Filters: A small selection of filters is well worth packing when heading off for a trip. They don�t take up too much space and will definitely add a bit of spice to your images. A polarizing filter should be top of the list, while a few Neutral Density filters will certainly help with tough exposures. A 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 will help with exposure without affecting colour. Bring a few warm-up filters to help when the light is cool. The 81-series are the best choice, which will give your images an extra bit of life. There�s a large amount of filters on the market today; these are the most important filters for landscape photography. Correct Film: Fuji Velvia is an obvious choice for me when it comes to shooting landscapes. This is a slide film that is high in saturation and is perfect for capturing the colour of all seasons. It comes in two speeds of ISO 50 and ISO 100. It�s always handy to have a few rolls of Black and White film in the bag. You never know when you see a scene and know that it�s perfect for B/W. Whichever film you choose, bring plenty of rolls; don�t be caught in the middle of nowhere without film. If you are shooting with a Digital SLR bring plenty of memory. Cable Release: If your camera has a connection for a cable release you should buy one. It is a perfect accessory to minimise the risk of camera shake - especially if you are taking long exposures. It doesn�t take up too much room and is extremely light. Light Meter: All modern day cameras have light meters built into them, but if you are serious about landscape photography it�s advisable to have a hand-held light meter. These are small and of light-weight, and when used correctly are extremely accurate. These are the most important bits and pieces for your camera bag; other important accessories include spare batteries, a grey card and a few spare lenses.
